Text: Romans 6:16-22
In this series, we are looking at some big words in the Bible. All of them are “big” in terms of importance; but for some of them, we may be unsure of what they mean. In this third lesson, we will be looking at the word sanctification. Jesus’ death on the cross enabled us to be God’s special people.
The Meaning of the Word
- Greek word – hagiasmos
- Refers to a consecration or purification – to be consecrated is to be set apart (holy); to be purified is to be cleansed from our sins
- Jesus’ death on the cross makes it possible for us to be cleansed of our sins and be set apart as His special people
Understanding the Concept
- We are sanctified through the sacrifice of Christ – through His body (Hebrews 10:10) and blood (Hebrews 13:12)
- The Holy Spirit plays a role in our sanctification (1 Peter 1:2-3) – we are born again (John 3:3, 5), then receive the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38; cf. Ephesians 1:13); He revealed the truth (John 16:13), and we are sanctified by truth (John 17:17)
- Sanctification involves keeping ourselves from sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8) – we put sin in our past (1 Corinthians 6:9-11); we are different from the world (Romans 12:2); we are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16); this is something to be pursued (Hebrews 12:14), and we cannot see God without this (cf. 1 John 1:5-7)
- Those who are sanctified are those in the church (1 Corinthians 1:2) – this makes sense when we understand what “church” means; ekklesia (Greek) means “called out”
Understanding This in Context
- Paul described a change that had taken place (Romans 6:16-17) – they had been slaves of sin, just like the world (Romans 3:9-12, 23); yet they became slaves of righteousness; they gave up sin (Romans 6:6-7, 11; cf. 1 John 2:1) in order to obey the Lord (1 Peter 1:14)
- This is something we choose to pursue (Romans 6:16-17) – “present yourselves,” “became obedient”; if we choose to continue in sin, we cannot fulfill God’s will for us and will not be set apart for Him
- This includes being obedient to a form of teaching (Romans 6:17) – we conform to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4); washed and sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11)
- God has given us every reason to choose to follow Him (Romans 6:20-22) – there is no lasting benefit for sin (cf. Hebrews 11:25); sanctification leads to the outcome of eternal life (Romans 6:23; cf. Titus 2:11-14)
Conclusion
- Jesus died on the cross to cleanse us of our sins – we can be reconciled to God; we take advantage of this by obeying the gospel and having our sins washed away; this makes us different from the world; not just forgiven, we now serve a new master
- Since Jesus died on the cross for us, we need to live for Him – not be slaves of sin but slaves of righteousness
