Sanctified

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    So, I was reading through 1 Peter 1 and I noticed a word in verse 2.  The word is "sanctifying".  The word "sanctification" is an interesting word.  In Baker's Evangelical Dictionary it says that this word means "the state of proper functioning" in other words to sanctify something is to set it apart for its intended use, the purpose for which it was made by its creator.  I thought that was an interesting idea, that God sanctifies us in Christ, so that we can fulfill our intended purpose.

    In examining this further, I looked at passages to see how this word is used.  The first time this word is used is in Lev 22:32.  It is the Hebrew word Qadash (verb) and it means to be "set apart, dedicate, be seperate, to be hallowed".  In this chapter, it is mentioned in terms of the priests.  God says to them, "So you shall keep My commandments, and do them; I am the Lord. And you shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you."  You notice this throughout the Bible, that the act of sanctification is always something that God does.  You also notice that all three persons of the Trinity are involved in this process.

   For example, look at 1 Peter 1:2 which says, "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood; May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure."  You notice all three persons of the Trinity mentioned here.  The Father knew who would be sanctified, the Spirit is involved in sanctifying and the blood of Jesus is sprinkled upon the believer.  It is through the sacrifice of Jesus and in Jesus that you are sanctified.

   One other thing that I noticed that nowhere this word is used does it indicate that we do this ourselves.  Never does it indicate that we impress God with how good we are.  Never does it indicate that I'm good enough.  Never does it even hint that God is impressed with our actions.  It does not say that it adds to anything, subtracts anything or purifies anything.  In fact, I would submit to you that if you think that you can add to the cross and resurrectioin of Jesus by your actions then your a heretic and not being biblical. 

   This is one of the reasons Paul got so upset with the Galatian people in the letter of Galatians.  He said, "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8.  He said this because Hellenistic Jews were coming to the Galatians telling them they needed to add to the cross with the law of Moses.  But, Paul corrected them saying "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law, since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16

    This is a part of the good news of the gospel.  Your salvation does not hang in the balance because of your performance of good deeds.  This means there is no purgatory or things like that.  That is a man made idea which leads to fear.  Rather, perfect love casts out all fear.  We don't live in fear of hell as a believer.  Rather, we know that we are loved and cherished and washed clean because of the blood of Jesus.  And you don't have to add anything to it. 

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