Sanctification In The Old Testament

Sanctification is the process of being made Holy. In the process of being made holy, the life of the believer is changing. The believer begins to slowly and painfully (mentally, Romans 12:2) go from living of the flesh, to living a life of the spirit. The process of being made Holy comes at the work of justification, the works of Jesus Christ. We can only produce what is Holy, by allowing what is Holy (Jesus Christ) to change our lives (1 Corinthians 1:30) salvation, than after salvation God immediately begins to work to change our lives so that we can represent Him. Looking into the Old Testament and New Testament, we can see the major emphasis on the works of sanctification on the God's children lives.

In the Old Testament the focus

of holiness is always pointed to God! The Bible clearly speaks of God as Holy (1 Peter 1:16), and the only one that is. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary states this about God holiness, " Since God exists in the realm of the holy rather than the profane, all that pertains to Him must come into the same realm of holiness. This involves time, space, objects, and people" (1443). Certain times are set apart for the Lord, for example: the seventh day was a time set apart (holy) for the honor and worship of the Lord (Genesis 2:3). The temple and its material things were set apart for the Lord, read Ezekiel 28:40-48. Lastly the Israelites were to be set apart, to be a holy people for the Lord (Deuteronomy 7:6). The way the people of Israel came to be holy is by following the commandments of the mosaic law which involved rituals, and ethical demands. These examples, along with many others found in scripture or other writings found throughout history show that God is the only source of holiness.

Just like in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, holiness always points to God.

The New Testament declares the Holiness of God, it also points to Jesus being that holy God. Jesus is absolutely perfect in all His ways, He is sinless (no sin can be found). The Lord is above all, no one is higher or greater than Him. His Love, mercy, anger and wrath is all Holy, it shows all the attributes of a holy and just God. Mark 1:24 states "Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God". There is plenty proof found in the New Testament and in the Old Testament that shows that God (Jesus Christ) is the only standard of

holiness!

As believers in Christ we need to live a life that is set apart from this world, to live by God's standard, not the world's.

1 Peter 1:13-16 says " Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy". Just like in the Old Testament, objects, places, and people can be made holy by the works of Jesus Christ (New Testament). The only way a believer can be holy in the New Testament is by accepting his gift of eternal life! No man on this planet (past, present, or future) can achieve holiness on their own. This is the result of sin, man continuance disobedience to a holy and righteous God. The only thing that can fix this rebellion is accepting the justification works of Christ, and than allow His sanctification produce holiness in the believers

life.