As He Is

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As He Is
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

It's amazing but true that God's outlined plan for your life is beyond your wildest imagination. In fact, this life in the flesh has us so involved with life issues that most of we Christians give little thought to what it will mean to be completely sanctified.
Consider for a moment the Christian life. We often hear about sanctification but do we fully understand the meaning of the word? (Sanctification defined: the noun form of sanctify, which is a verb, means to:
    set apart as or declare holy; consecrate, become holy · become sacred · bless · hallow · set apart · make legitimate or binding by religious sanction. Here I present an additional list describing Sanctification: approve · sanction · give the stamp of approval to · underwrite · free from sin; purify. purify · cleanse · free from sin · absolve · unburden · redeem · cause to be or seem morally right or acceptable.


Sanctification begins at the time of our turning from sin dark into eternal light and is a continuing growth process. At the moment of salvation (acceptance of Christ as Lord in our life), God sets us apart for Himself. God's grand plan then throughout the rest of our earthly life, while we ate still confined in this cloak of clay, He works to lead us in spiritual growth forming us into the image of His only begotten Son. As we walk and talk with Christ our Lord a great day will come. We will shed this cocoon of sinful dirt. Our work and persistence will be evaluated and the body that struggled to keep us will give up the “Ghost” (Holy Spirit). However, this is not the end of our sanctification. While we dwell in this sinful body we all struggle with sin, but when we die, our spirits and souls will ascend to heaven and be completely sinless. Then we'll see our Savior face to face and receive unimaginable joy. 1 John 3:2: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. No longer will we struggle with the pride of life or the lusts of the flesh and the eyes. (1 John 3:16). Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
However, as great as this will be, it's not yet the total fullness of sanctification, Some day in the future, Jesus will descend from heaven, bringing with Him the souls of those who have died in Christ. They will be united with their resurrected and glorified bodies, and believers who are still alive on the earth will be changed (1 Thess. 4:14-17); 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:51-54). 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Then sanctification will be complete. The spirit, soul, and body will display perfect harmony. God Himself promises to bring it to pass. We'll walk in His presence, spotless and without blame, for all eternity. Knowing this, how will you live today? The promise of salvation isn’t meant just to give hope, but to spur us on to holy living. Know God, know peace Amen 06-28-1920 BLL

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