Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
1 Thessalonians 4:3
4:3 For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Fellowship of the Human and Divine—
Our sanctification is the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is the fulfillment of the covenant God has made with those who bind themselves up with Him, to stand with Him, His Son, and His Spirit in holy fellowship. Have you been born again? Have you become a new being in Christ Jesus? Then cooperate with the three great powers of heaven who are working in your behalf (Manuscript 11, 1901). {7BC 908.11}
Evidences of Sanctification—True sanctification will be evidenced by a conscientious regard for all the commandments of God, by a careful improvement of every talent, by a circumspect conversation, by revealing in every act the meekness of Christ (The Review and Herald, October 5, 1886). {7BC 908.12}
(1 John 2:3, 4.) The True Sign of Sanctification—
Those who dishonor God by transgressing His law may talk sanctification, but it is of that value, and just as acceptable, as was the offering of Cain. Obedience to all the commandments of God is the only true sign of sanctification. Disobedience is the sign of disloyalty and apostasy (Manuscript 41, 1897). {7BC 908.13}
(Romans 3:24-28.) Holiness Within the Reach of All—
God has chosen men from eternity to be holy. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” God’s law tolerates no sin, but demands perfect obedience. The echo of God’s voice comes to us, ever saying. Holier, holier still. And ever our answer is to be, Yes, Lord, holier still. Holiness is within the reach of all who reach for it by faith, not because of their good works, but because of Christ’s merits. Divine power is provided for every soul struggling for the victory over sin and Satan. {7BC 908.14}
Justification means the saving of a soul from perdition, that he may obtain sanctification, and through sanctification, the life of heaven. Justification means that the conscience, purged from dead works, is placed where it can receive the blessings of sanctification (Manuscript 113, 1902). {7BC 908.15}
Sanctification and Communion—
Sanctification means habitual communion with God (The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906). {7BC 908.16}
In order to be sanctified, justification must first take place. To be justified is to be pardoned. It is God, and God alone, that justifies. The Book of Job says “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Paul writes that if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. Sanctification is to be made Holy. For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. We are to obey all of God’s commandments, take off our filthy rags to wear Christ’s robe of righteousness. Christ was tempted in all ways, yet without sin. Christ Jesus is our exemplar. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You for the wonderful gift of life. Thank You for being our creator of all things. Thank you for Your truth and light that leads our way. Thank You for Your Word, Thy word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Thank You for teaching us the way we should go. Thank You for abiding in us and Your promise that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Thank You for giving us Your strength to overcome sin. We are sorry, repent of all our sins, and pray for Your forgiveness. We have all sinned and come short of Your glory. Thank You for Your promise that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. However, if we say that we have not sinned, we make You a liar, and Your word is not in us. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank You for pardoning our sins, raising up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. We pray to fulfill Your will for us to receive Your Holiness, to be Holy, to be sanctified. We thank the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit for working in us to stand with You in Holy fellowship. We pray for the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we remain in continual communion with You to live a Holy life, as did our great exemplar Christ Jesus. Please help us to remain in perfect obedience to all the commandments You have set before us, and to be holier, holier still. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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