GODLY SANCTIFICATION

Lesson 12 Review

Theme #3 – “I Would Not Have You Ignorant” Godly Sanctification”

   Last week, we studied our “godly sanctification” with emphasis on, the “Liberty” (freedom) aspect of our position in Christ. What is this Liberty that Paul is talking about? It is the Liberty (freedom) from the mastership (dominion) of sin, and the elements of the law system, itself. “For ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom 6:14). We took a look at our own Liberty (freedom) side of sonship and discovered that our Liberty is designed to glorify God +. But unlike the Corinthians & Israel before them, we must have the right attitude, and the proper appreciation for our sanctification.  We are accountable for the Liberty, freedom, grace, to make our own godly decisions as adult sons. Making decisions based on the sound doctrine of God’s word rightly divided, so we will make good, acceptable, and upgrading to perfect, flawless, godly decisions, in line with the will of God. (Rom. 12:1-2).   

1.   Paul is still dealing with the Corinthian Saints, along with Israel as our examples of how NOT to abuse our Liberty of sanctification.  In 1 Cor. 4:9 Paul says: “For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to the Angels, and to men.” (Paul is here speaking of the ultimate goal for our sanctification. Our Liberty is designed to suffer unto death, for Christ’s glory!)  What is Paul talking about? Spectacle, Angels, men?

2. Paul knew some things folks, concerning the angelic realm In the heavenly places, and our sanctification (they go together). And it all has to do with the “manifold (hidden) wisdom) of God.” Paul is pointing out two worlds in vs 9.  (A) The world of Angels and (B) the world of men.   

3. What does Paul mean “For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to the Angels, and to men,” and what does that have to do with our sanctification, our Liberty, our position in Christ?   Well, first let us define spectacle. A spectacle is something exhibited, or on display. (trophy case). It can be an object of curiosity, or contempt. A spectacle is meant to be watched or looked upon. The Angels in heavenly place are spectators, they are watching us.

4. You see, in the dispensation of grace, the Angels in the heavenly places, are silent witnesses! The angelic host was well aware of the wisdom of God as it related to creation, and the prophetic program. For it is written in Job 38:1- 7, The Angels were present With God the first morning of creation “when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” they rejoiced at God’ s creaton. But they had no knowledge of the mystery program that was hidden in God, until now, until God revealed it to Apostle Paul. And the elect Angels desire to look into us, members of the new creation, one new man, CBOC.  What do they want to see? Eph 3:10, Paul tells us why: “To the intent (purpose, goal) that NOW unto the principalities ) and powers (angel host) in heavenly places                                                                                                                      

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might be known (instructed) by (US) the church, the manifold wisdom (the eternal plan & purpose) of God.  

5. We are designed to teach angels. Right Now! So Paul is warning us that the world of men, and the world of Angels are watching to see If, and how our sanctification, Liberty is working for God’s glory. The Elect angels want to see how this impact, our testimony, Is “working for us a far more exceeding an eternal weight of glory. And the SPOE, the fallen angels, want to see us use our liberty of our sanctification, like the Corinthians and Israel, to dishonor GOD. Using our Liberty to please the “motions of sin” within our members, giving them (Satan, fallen angels) the opportunity to mock and accuse us openly before God. But we are not there yet!

6. That is why Paul is pointing to the Thessalonian Saints because they were model Saints in their sanctification. Paul says in 4:1, “how you ought to walk, (live in the details of your life) and to please God.”  Paul is saying that sanctification is compatible with God’s holiness. And our walk (life) should be in harmony, agreement, alignment with God’s holiness.

7. A walk, a life, conduct and behavior, that honors and glorifies God, and puts it on display before men, and is a testimony (sending an impact) in heavenly places to God’s glory and honor. (No wonder Paul says “we are made a spectacle (sport, open show, mockery), before the world, and to angels, and to men.” It is called “denying yourself, take up your cross, because we are fools for Christ.” And willing to suffer for Christ.”

4:3 “For this is the will of God, concerning your sanctification, that you should avoid fornication.  Paul says, 4:4 “That every MBOC should know how to possess his vessel (keep his body under control) in sanctification (holiness) and honor. 4:7 “For God had not called us until uncleanness, but until holiness.” Brother Blades said something interesting, and true. Before we were saved, we were citizens of Satan’s Kingdom, we were sanctified, set apart unto unholiness for Satan’s glory and honor, and that is the truth. BUT NOW since we have been forgiven, saved, justified until eternal life, and have the right attitude, concerning our sanctification and liberty, being made holy, we should walk (Live) to bring glory and honor to God.

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8.When we begin to understand and appreciate our sanctification, we will appreciate the Liberty God has given US to make adult, godly decisions, as adult sons, to God’s glory and honor. But it all begins with our motive. What is our motive? To bring Gods honor and glory or to bring satisfaction to our flesh.  “Shall we continue in sin? God forbid! (Rom. 6:1-2) God not only “washed, and justified us unto eternal life, He sanctified (1 Cor. 6:11) us so we can live holy unto Him. We are “dead to sin and alive unto God” (6:11). “Forgiven for all sins” (Col.2:13), justified unto eternal life, reconciled back to God. And not only that but we have been given the ministry of Holy Spirit, “the operation of God” (Col. 2:12) has baptized (Rom 6:3-4), purified (Titus 2:14), sanctified, and identified us into the death, burial, and resurrection, so that our old man, “this body of sin might be destroyed, and we not serve sin any longer” (Rom 6:6). The mastership, the dictatorship of sin is broken. Sin has no more Dominion over us. “We have been delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son: IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, EVEN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.  (Col. 1:13-14).                                                                                                                                         

THAT’S WHY PAUL DECLARES: “I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT OF YOUR GODLY SANCTIFICATION, YOUR LIBERTY!

And that’s why I love that old hymn: “AMAZING GRACE SHALL ALWAYS BE MY SONG OF PRAISE. FOR IT WAS GRACE THAT BROUGHT MY LIBERTY.

“STAND FAST THEREFORE IN THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE US FREE, AND BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN WITH THE YOKE OF BONDAGAE.” 5:1

“FOR BRETHREN, YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED UNTO LIBERTY; ONLY USE NOT YOUR LIBERTY (FREEDOM) (WATCH YOUR ATTITUDE) FOR AN OCCASION TO THE FLESH, BUT BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.” 5:13