Sanctified
Hebrews 2:11
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
We now come to the Sanctifier; He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, then He was crowned with glory and honor, and thus He became the Sanctifier of His brethren. We are sanctified by His blood.
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: (Hebrews 9:13)
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (Hebrews 10:11)
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:12)
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (Hebrews 10:13)
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
Not only are we sanctified by His blood, but He who has sanctified us bore the sin of the world in His own body on the tree; therefore, through His holy and righteous life He became the Sanctifier of His brethren. Being the Sanctifier, He has brought His brethren into a relationship of His sanctification, for in the greater truth He, Jesus Christ, is sanctification: as He is holy, as He is righteous, as He is justification, etc. etc., He is also sanctification. When we look at Him as our Sanctifier, there is nothing that we can do to add to our sanctification. It is His work on the cross, and His work alone, that not only justifies us before God, but sanctifies us as well.
Let’s go back to the Old Testament . . . to the teaching in Leviticus concerning the sacrifice through the Levitical priesthood; all the ordinances were to be followed explicitly, nothing to be left out, nor added to the required ordinances of sacrifice. To emphasis this strict faithfulness to the prescribed directives concerning the sacrifices, we have the judgment of Jehovah upon Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. Later in 1st Samuel we have the judgment of Jehovah upon Phinehas and Hophni, and Eli their father. Concerning Nadab and Abihu, they brought strange fire into the Tabernacle, and therefore God took their lives for their disobedience. They brought not the fire of God that came down from heaven, but fire of their own making. The fire of God is referred to in this Epistle of Hebrews as an ever ‘consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29) For our God is a consuming fire.
This fire of God was given from above, it was the ever-consuming fire, a divine fire directly from God. It was not of this earth. It was the fire of God sent down from heaven. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:5)
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. (Leviticus 10:1)
And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. (Leviticus 10:2)
Nadab and Abihu thought that they could improve on the fire of God. Much like people today think that they can improve their sanctification through Jesus Christ. Sanctification is because of the Sanctifier and not of us. We cannot improve on this one-time sanctification, which comes by the Holy Spirit when we are born again.
Now let’s consider the sacrifices in Leviticus. When an Israelite brought a sacrifice to God at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and this included what we would call the ‘courtyard;’ this was all part of the Tabernacle as well as the curtains around it and the gate. The sacrifice that was brought to the gate of the Tabernacle had to meet all the requirements of Jehovah.
1. The sacrifice had to be set apart.
2. The sacrifice had to be a male and the first born.
3. The sacrifice had to be unblemished outwardly with no imperfections.
4. The sacrifice could not have any contact with any other animals.
5. The sacrifice was weaned by its mother, then nourished only by the head of the household, and he was the only contact with this animal.
6. The sacrifice (the lamb) was put aside specifically for a sin offering, so that when the Israelite fed the lamb, he would look at this lamb as a sin offering, and hopefully the Israelite would not sin; however, when he sinned it would cost the lamb it’s life. No exceptions were allowed, no matter how much the Israelite had become attached to the lamb, he would still have to bring the lamb to the gate of the Tabernacle as God as the Father brought the Lamb of God, His Son, to the cross.
7. Was the lamb at this point sanctified? No, the lamb had to die. But you say, ‘he was put apart, was not this sanctification?’ No, the Lamb was put apart to be the sacrifice, and to accomplish sanctification, and become the sanctifier for the Israelite only upon its death; therefore, the Israelite became one with the sacrifice of the lamb.
As our verse in Hebrews 2:11 states, Christ is the sanctifier, not only by His divine nature does He sanctify us, but we are also sanctified by His death making us one with the Sanctifier. If this was not so, God the Father could not receive us in Christ’s glory and honor. For we know the one who sanctified us through His death on the cross, for we are buried with Him, and raised in newness of life in His resurrection. The process of the death of the lamb in Leviticus made the lamb sanctification. If we study the Books of Exodus and Leviticus, we will find that all the articles of the Tabernacle were sanctified by blood; from the Brazen Altar into the Holy of Holies, and the Mercy Seat; all were sanctified by the blood of the lamb.
As the lamb became sanctification for the Israelite it also restored the Israelite to the favor of God. God saw the Israelite sanctified in the blood of that lamb. But Christ, being better than bulls and goats has sanctified us once and for all. Although the Apostle Paul, in his epistles, refers to our work and walk; it is not our work, nor our walk that has the power of divine sanctification for me, for in me is no good thing. If I walk a perfect life (according to man) it would still not be perfect before God. For sin dwelleth in me, I have Adam’s DNA of sin (sin nature). This is why Christ died for me, to remove me from that sin that was in me, by the creation of a new being. A man must be born again. (John 3) When the Spirit of God brings this new birth about, then I am sanctified in Christ before God. It is the Son of God, Himself, who sanctifies me before God the Father. Now I am a child of God, and I grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ. Yes, all Christians strive to do the Father’s will, however, it is God’s prerogative to leave us here on earth in this body of flesh; and thus, we have a conflict between our flesh and our spirit. They are in constant opposition to each other; however, we are instructed to overcome the flesh by the Spirit. That is the Spirit of God that worketh in us. If I think God will love me more by some kind of carnal man-made sanctification, or ten steps to be sanctified, then I have taken a left turn into By-Pass Meadow. God has a path laid out for us as His children. We are to follow Christ, in this we are to put off the old man, or the flesh, and wash in the laver which is the word of God. When you look in the mirror, who do you see? Adam —not Christ. When you look into your heart, who do you see? Christ — not Adam. That which is flesh must perish, Adam must die and be left behind. The new man who is sanctified by the Sanctifier will now dwell with Christ in heaven. Now this being said, should I live for the world, or Christ? Well, of course, I will live for Christ. He is my great example. I say this reverently, can I be Christ? No. Can I die on a manmade cross for my own justification? No. Salvation as well as sanctification has to be brought about by faith in my Lord, Jesus Christ. It is a blood relationship for His blood has covered all of my transgressions. Can I add to the power of this blood? No. I must trust in its divine power to not only save me, but to sanctify me before God the Father. As Christ spoke the worlds into being by the word of His power through the Spirit of God, He has declared me to be a child of God through the power of His Word. I am a new creature in Him. He both saved me and sanctified me; I can stand before Him a heavenly created being in newness of life. This sanctification is forever. This sanctification will not diminish in my failures. This sanctification will not increase in my obedience. This sanctification is a heavenly gift from the heavenly Sanctifier who is Christ.
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (1 Corinthians 1:28)
That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31)
Now let him who thinks that he can reach some level of sanctification that puts him above his brethren read the previous 4 verses carefully. We are the base things of this world, we were born in Adam, and his sin. His seed of sin, or his DNA of sin is within us from birth. Only divine grace can remove us from this sin by the sacrifice of the divine Lamb of God. (Revelation 4)
Sanctification is not an article or a concept that one should glory in himself for his spiritual accomplishments, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For He, the Lord Jesus Christ, is divine sanctification. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. For we are in Him and being in Him not only is He the Lord of glory, but He is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. So, if I have glory, it is found in Jesus Christ, and I will glory in the Lord of lords and the King of kings for He has sanctified me forever. This does not exclude a holy walk in His presence. (Hebrews 12)
The Apostle gives us a divine picture of God the Father chastening His children. They are to walk as sons under his father’s care. These are solemn words.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:3)
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:4)
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: (Hebrews 12:5)
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6)
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (Hebrews 12:7)
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (Hebrews 12:8)
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9)
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (Hebrews 12:10)
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:11)
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (Hebrews 12:12)
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:13)
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14)
In these verses we have the Father of spirits instructing and chastening His children in righteousness. The relationship is so close with God the Father that in these few verses the words ‘son’ and ‘sons’ combined are mentioned 5 times. This is also the number of grace, bringing us full circle to the gift of grace by Jesus Christ our Lord. We are in a relationship with God the Father as sons. Although He speaks to us as children, He addresses us as sons in a position of responsibility to our God and Father. It is my son in verse 5, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord. And as sons, we are to learn obedience, and this obedience will bring forth the fruits of righteousness.
Now let’s consider a tree planted in good ground. It brings forth fruit, however, if we prune it correctly it will bring forth more fruit. So, we the children of God, by Jesus Christ, are planted in good ground. The Father desires fruit from us, He prunes us spiritually, and removes branches so that we may bring forth much fruit for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father. Shall we much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live, verse 9? Does this change our sanctification to a higher level? No. It is merely a son giving obedience to his Father for the grace poured out, grace upon grace, from the Lord Jesus Christ. And of course, our great example, is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as the Lord Jesus Christ walked in this world . . . so walk ye. We are spiritual beings, and as sons we need to obey our Father, the Father of spirits (verse 9).
I would like to inject these thoughts about the letter written to the Hebrews. The letter or epistle to the Hebrews was an open letter to all Hebrews, whether they were under the law, or in the arms of grace, it was to all. Paul was speaking to both saved and unsaved Hebrews. These were his kinsmen, and his burden was to bring those who were still under the law into the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. For better things are found in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Hebrews knew the law, and followed the law, and those who had not forsaken the law for Christ were in Paul’s heart. For they were his natural kinsmen, and his desire, as in the Book of Romans, was that all Israel would be saved, this was the case in the Book of Hebrews. The modern world, not understanding the mind of the Spirit, has taken several sections of Hebrews in their attempt to prove their heresy of a falling away doctrine. When I preach the gospel, do not I preach to both save and to unsaved souls? Is it up to me to distinguish by their faces whether they are saved or not? No. The evidence of salvation comes from the love that they have for Jesus Christ. Can I, as a preacher of the gospel, discern these qualities? Yes. And therefore, when I preach, I take into consideration that some before me are already in the arms of grace. So, Paul, through this open letter, was speaking to all the Hebrews, and giving them historical and documented references concerning the law and showing the law in opposition to the throne of grace, and the better things that are found in Jesus Christ. For the law must pass away in the presence of grace.
Another example of law versus grace can be found in Paul’s open letter to the Galatians, which took in all of Galatia as Paul was in doubt of the salvation of some in the region of Galatia. For they also saw themselves under the law, and in Christ as well. This could not be. For one was either under the law, or under grace; can two walk together except they be agreed? And Paul was not in agreement with them. Paul went to great length and examples to prove not only the grace of Christ would save them, but that the law itself was only a schoolmaster bringing them to Christ. The law was of the earth, earthy; but Christ was from heaven above, and grace could only come through Jesus Christ. Paul went on to say, O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you. (Galatians 3:1)
In a similar way, Paul spoke to the Corinthians, when he said, But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, (2 Corinthians 11:3) This brought doubt to their very salvation. They had a form of godliness, but they denied the power of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5) And all true believers are to look at such and turn away. For the true believer, their center is in Christ Jesus. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Sanctifier of all those who are sanctified — once and for all.
These 2 letters of Hebrews and Galatians are divine letters to separate the sheep from the goats: the saved from the unsaved by the exaltation of Christ as God, and His glory as the Son of God. All things have been committed unto the Son by God the Father. Those who are sanctified in Christ follow Christ and Christ crucified, for He is the Great Sanctifier of those who are sanctified.
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. (Hebrews 2:11)
Amen.
© Copyright 2015, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)