“Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Heb. 13:12 KJV).
Sanctification is one of the blessings of having faith in the blood of Jesus. Through faith in His name and in His blood, you have been sanctified. Sadly though, when many people hear the word “sanctified” they think of the sanctified church, referencing a certain denomination. Contrary to that interpretation, sanctification is not a denomination. It is your status in Christ Jesus.
Sanctification is not whether or not you put a hat over your head. Nor is it whether or not you drag the floor with your dress. It is not whether you’ve colored your hair, or painted your fingernails. That doesn’t make you sanctified. Sanctification is something that has taken place inside of you because you have received Jesus Christ and His blood.
There is a place for dressing moderately. But we must not get it confused with sanctification. Dressing moderately is simply that—dressing moderately. It is what you do because you are sanctified. You should look good. If you think your hair color is drab, brighten it up. You are not less sanctified because you dyed it blonde. Just keep things in their proper perspective.
If you are saved, you are in the sanctified church. It means that God has set you apart from the world. You are not like the world, and you don’t get the world’s reward. Therefore, you shouldn’t think like them, look like them, or act like them.
You shouldn’t be fearful like them because you are not like them—they have no hope. Unlike them, your hope is in your Savior. You are sanctified and protected by God as you exercise faith in the name of Jesus.
We have been sanctified by the blood. You have been moved from the category of death and set in the category of life, because the blood was shed for you, and you received it. And you then have the privilege of having a personal relationship with God.
Because you are sanctified, He can now live in you. He can now lead you and guide you by His Spirit. Since you live in Him, you can ride the storms of life. You will not be swept away like in the days of Noah when the world did not believe. But you can be safe in God’s arms and come out of every storm in victory, because you are set apart for His glory.
Scripture References: 1 Peter 3:20; Hebrews 2:11, 10:10; Jude 1:1
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).