Journey To Holiness: Why It’s Important To Be Sanctified

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Do you ever think about what it means to be sanctified? It’s not a word we use often.

But in His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus said…

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

John 17:17 (ESV)

So, what is this sanctification that Jesus wants for us?

The blessing of sanctification is God’s act of making us holy through Jesus’ sacrifice. Remember, God alone is holy. He is unsearchable, incomprehensible, incomparable, great, wonderful, and exalted.

His name is Holy.

He is set apart from everything else in the world. And that is the Biblical definition of holiness. When God makes us holy in Jesus, He sets us apart so that we might be used for His glory.

That’s why the New Living Translation of John 17:17 says…

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

Years ago, I learned that being sanctified in God’s sight means that through Jesus, God looks at us “just as if we never sinned.”

So, to be sanctified means being made holy and set apart by God, used in ways that bring Him glory.

And that’s what we’re going to be looking at in the next few chapters of Romans.

Romans 6 begins with these words…

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?

Romans 6:1

Jesus said that the Father loves to forgive sinners.

Remember Him telling the parable of the Shepherd who celebrates after finding and saving the lost sheep. Some have sadly used that as an excuse to sin more frequently.

But Paul said…

Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:2 (HCSB)

Think of it this way … “That’s unthinkable!” Knowing what Christ Jesus endured for us, how could we take it lightly and consider it okay to continue sinning intentionally?

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:4

Jesus’ love is so amazing that He gave His all in death so that we might be forgiven and raised to life with Him in His resurrection. Making it our heart’s desire to TRUST and OBEY Him shows Him our gratitude and love.

I remember when one of my teens would defiantly disobey one of the rules we’d made because we loved them and wanted to keep them safe. It felt like a foolish lack of respect. But if it continued repeatedly, it started to feel like a lack of love.

Jesus gave His followers the command to love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we make it our heart’s desire to trust God’s gracious love and obey His commands, it is unthinkable for us to take God’s gift of sanctification for granted to sin freely and intentionally.

We have been set apart to glorify the gracious and glorious King of kings and Lord of lords. With the Spirit’s help, may we forever find it unthinkable to make light of the holy life He wants for us.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Be Sanctified & Live for God’s Glory

Father, thank you for inspiring John to write that if we confess our sins, You are faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Thank you for the assurance that when we repent in faith, You separate us from our sin and declare us sanctified.

Please forgive us, forgive me, for ever taking Your grace and mercy for granted. Forgive me for excusing the sins in my life that culture finds acceptable. Forgive me for failing to break free from the repetitive sins that I’ve turned into bad habits. And forgive me for quickly judging others without looking within and addressing the changes You want for me.

I love You and want to glorify You with my life. I pray with David, “Your love is better than life, and I praise You.” (Psalm 63:3) Please help apply the words of Paul so that whatever I do, I will do it all for Your glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

That is the desire of my heart. I want to take this journey to holiness seriously, living every day mindful of all that Jesus gave so that I might be sanctified and set apart to proclaim Your love and live for Your glory.

Thank you for leaving the 99 to find me when I was lost. Thank you for graciously making me Your own. By Your grace, please help me celebrate with gratitude and praise and live the holy life You want for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

John Wesley wrote…

“By justification we are saved from the guilt of sin…by sanctification we are saved from the power and root of sin”

You and I are justified by faith…

We have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Romans 5:1

Sanctified by grace…

 Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:4b (NIV)

To live for God’s glory.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

May we live the journey to holiness with joy! By God’s grace, we are set apart to live each day living and sharing the blessing of His love.

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