We protect things that are valuable. Sometimes we build a fence around it to protect it and keep people away. We don’t want it stolen, damaged, or destroyed. Things that are valuable are worth protecting.Now that idea is behind the Biblical concept of sanctification. Sanctification means we’ve been “set apart,” or to regard as special, sacred, or holy. So the basic idea means something is regarded as special or valuable—so it is to be protected. We’ve been set apart from the world to protect us from any harm or damage.That’s what Paul tells us, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).Also sanctified carries the idea that we were given “sanctuary.” A sanctuary is a special place that offers protection and refuge. We sometimes refer to our place of worship as a “sanctuary,” as it is a special place set aside to worship God. But what Paul means is something far more important. Jesus sets us apart from the dangers of Satan and the world. God considers us valuable so He protects us.So in this verse, Paul uses three verbs to describe our salvation: washed, sanctified, justified! All this is by the authority of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit who is given to each person who believes and obeys God’s word. So when a person is “saved” they are spiritually cleansed by God in submitting themselves to baptism (Matt. 28:19); they were “sanctified”, meaning God set them apart to be in His family; and they were “justified”, showing that God declared us righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice (Rom. 3:23-26; 5:1).Now some folks believe in “Santa Clause Theology.” Just like Santa, God is making a list, checking it twice and He’s going to find out who is naughty and nice.But we are told that none of us have been good enough to be saved (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:3). We can’t do enough, give enough, or be so important that God will just have to save us.Jesus came to wash away our sins by the power of His blood; to sanctify our lives so we would be SET APART from your sinfulness; to justify us so that so that all our sin and guilt would be taken away by Christ’s blood—His sacrifice.Here’s ...
