Wednesday, May 8, 2013

“A Month of Thankfulness” Devotional Series (Day 8)”


Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1Cor 1:2

 

 

1Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

 

For our devotional this morning we will be looking at Paul’s greeting to the recipients of His letter to the Corinthians…

 

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints,

Paul was writing to the local church that was located in the city of Corinth.  He was very careful to recognize that it was possible for unbelievers to hypocritically hold membership in a local assembly.  This is why he then emphasizes that this letter was written to the BELIEVERS within that church.  He describes those believers as being “sanctified” and “called to be saints”. 

The title “sanctified” helps us to understand that they had been “purified” from their sins and washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 1:5-6).  They which were dirtied by their sin, were now made as white as snow (Isa 1:18).

The title “saint” is very closely related to the idea of being “sanctified”.  To be a “saint” means that we are called to live lives separated from sin to the service of the Lord.   In other words, one of the aspects of being purified from our sins (“sanctified” - past tense) is to live holy lives that are unspotted from the sins of this world (“to be saints” - present tense) (James 1:27).  It is this grace of sanctification that culminates in our removal from the very presence of sin throughout eternity (Gals 5:19-21, Rev 21:3-5, 27).

The principle that our past purification carries with it the charge for holy living now is presented in detail in         

1Pet 2:9-12.  In this text, we find our past separation from sin to Christ described in vs 9-10, followed by our need to lives separated from sin for the Lord’s glory in vs 11-12 which culminates in living throughout eternity separated from the very presence of sin at His coming in vs 12.

9) But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10) Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11) Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:9-12)

 

 

with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

This message written by Paul would be applicable to anyone who would be enjoying communion and fellowship with the Lord through prayer, which was an indication of genuine salvation and the accompanying sanctification.

 

As our month long reminder to appreciate our Lord continues, let’s be sure to thank Him for His sanctifying work in our lives.  We should show our appreciation for is purifying us from our sins by living holy lives that honor and glorify Him until we enter the sinless eternity that awaits us.

 

May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.

 




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