Never know where Jack will pop up next:>)
Posted on 09/27/2002 11:46:15 AM PDT by grantswank
THE ETHIC OF SANCTIFICATION
J. Grant Swank, Jr., POB l984, Windham ME 04062
Pastor, New Hope Church, Windham ME
God's purpose in sanctifying a believer is for that Christian to live out the holy ethic. It is a divine call to a lifestyle of purity.
Sanctification's purpose is not to come upon a "feeling experience". It is not to enter into an anticipated emotional ecstasy. It is not to be swept away with some religious "high."
Nowhere in the Word does God call people to an emotional experience nor a prescribed feeling. What reason would there be for deity to call out a people for such a witness?
The unbelievers thrive on feelings, coming into certain emotional ecstasies. This is the drive of the chemically dependent--cocaine, alcohol. It is the goal of the promiscuous. Those absorbed in various cultic explorations are frequently setting out to experience some inner whatever.
God has not called forth His children to testimonies of emotion but to a holy ethic: "Be holy as I am holy."
The world is wicked. God's children are to be pure in that wicked world. The world is selfish. God's children are to be self-giving in that selfish world. The world is callused. God's children are to be loving in that dog-eat-dog society.
"Blessed are the pure in heart. . ." ". . .he who lays down his life for another. . ." "How they loved one another."
Therefore, the "holiness in the street ethic" makes a real-life difference (1) in one's soul and (2) in one's social environs. It relates to one's income tax form, salary check, investments, dealings with creditors and debtors, language, sex life, demeanor, manners and courtesies, sensitivities toward others' suffering, books and magazines, videos and TV programming--everything.
The ethic of sanctification focuses on two primary dimensions: one's all yielded to God and one's practical, sincere concern for his neighbor. In that, one fulfills the law.
To get quagmired then in emotion for emotion's sake is not of God. It is a detour baited by Satan. The devil will attempt any lure to sidetrack the believer from the high calling of practical holiness. One must not fall for the enemy's ploy.
Yet how many have concluded that they are living the sanctified life because of a particular emotion come upon or they have become spiritually depressed because of a particular emotion NOT come upon?
How many have preached an emotion rather than an ethic? How many have prayed for a feeling rather than a fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
It must be pronounced clearly from pulpit and teaching lectern that the Word of God challenges believers to an entire consecration before deity. This will result in the Holy Spirit cleansing the carnal nature. It will be the ready submission of the human will to the divine will in every practical sense.
Whether or not any prescribed emotion is attached to this consecration is beside the point. It is the holy life lived out in the home, school, workplace, and church that is all important. That is the change God seeks in both soul and society because of His work completed in the heart.
How simple is the sanctification experience when seen in the light of God's Word. Folk religion has garbled the message. One must not foster a folk religion. One must uphold the divine revelation.
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice. . .HOLY. . ." That is it.
BigMack
BigMack
Never know where Jack will pop up next:>)
Did I ever tell your I love your humor ? I got it BTW
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