A Vessel Set Apart

A Vessel Set Apart

I think most of us have heard the word “sanctification” many times as a Christian.  I certainly have heard different definitions.  As I personally study the Scriptures with the Holy Spirit as my Interpreter, I find a precious meaning to the word.

Being justified by grace is something we all can get a hold of pretty quickly.  When we received Jesus Christ as our Righteousness (not ours, for we have none), we were absolutely and forever “justified” in His sight.  “Just as if we never sinned.”  You have to be that way to have entrance into eternity.  So this is why we “cling” to Christ in faith, because He is the Perfect Righteousness.

But again, what about sanctification?  Does it take years and years and years and years to be “qualified” in God’s sight as sanctified?  The definition I understand is “set apart.”  We are now “set apart” from unbelievers of the world as believers, saints, children of God through and by Christ Jesus alone.

So as a “set apart” person – truly born of God’s Spirit, what else?

I love the picture of a vessel we use in daily life – a glass is a good one to think about.  The glasses in our house are “set apart” for liquids – drinking water, tea, and lemonade – anything consumable.  We do not use our glasses in the kitchen for other things (although you could).  They are set apart.

Same thing with other vessels in the house – they have a distinct purpose.

Romans 6 declares to us HOW we maintain ourselves as NOW children of God – HOW fruit is going to come forth in our lives.  We have the entrance provided already into grace (Romans 5:1) – now we are daily leaning upon the One – looking to the One – living to the One WHO provides His Spirit of Life and grace for ALL of our living.

This denotes NO independence.  The glasses in the kitchen need ME to fill it with water.  They cannot fill themselves – this has never happened in our kitchen.  I am in charge of the vessel as to how much it is filled with liquid – I hold the glass – I direct the glass – I am the master over the glasses.

God is our Father.  Christ is our Lord.  We are being filled constantly with His Spirit of Life.  God’s Spirit is our Guide of all things.  Now we can, through our own will, not yield to the Lord’s Spirit – Romans 6 says we are to yield our members to righteousness, not unrighteousness.  Yielding to one or the other is the reality.  As Christians we say “flesh and spirit.”

God is teaching us to know Christ, the Living One residing in our hearts.  Renewing of the mind is God’s will for every son and daughter.  God has provided security for us in His love.  And He made a declaration that the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.  So yielding is something we do not have to be afraid of.  John 17:17 Jesus told us that we are SANCTIFIED BY THE TRUTH!  Therefore, truth alone renews the mind – and a renewed mind is full of life and peace.  It’s all connected!

The question is then, is my mind being renewed according to God’s Word of Life or men’s ideas and traditions.  This is the paradigm shift to me – to know the difference.  This leads to the other kind of “sanctification” given to us in Scriptures:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…”  I Peter 3:15a.

If Christ then, is the LIVING ONE in my heart – a true Person and I set Him apart in my heart as this One Reality, it makes sense to me that I am going to refer to Him in all things and certainly never live independently of His mind and will.  We can all grow in His strength and Spirit of Grace and in the knowledge of Him.  This is the great invitation.

“Thank you, God for making Your Son REAL in our hearts like never before.  Let our responses to you be with great clarity every day.  To walk with You is the highest honor ever bestowed upon us.  Thank you for the TRUTH being real to our hearts and minds – and the Spirit’s guidance in all things.  Amen!”

In His Love,

Sue Gaither