“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it.”
John 1:4-5
The meaning of the verb sanctify: Is to separate, or to set apart.
Sanctification, then, is that sovereign act of God whereby He sets apart
a person, place, or object for Himself in order that He might accomplish
His purpose in the world by means of that person, place, or object.
Scriptures where the word is used:
(1) A day can be sanctified.
“And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it …”
Genesis 2:3
(2) A building and its contents can be sanctified.
“And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar…”
Exodus 39:44
(3) A house in which a man lives can be sanctified.
“And when a man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the LORD.”
Leviticus 27:14
(4) A mountain can be sanctified.
“The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for you have said, Set boundaries about the Mount and sanctify it.”
Exodus 19:23
GOD’S LIGHT SANCTIFIES US
“The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.””
Acts 9:11-12
GOD’S LIGHT SANCTIFIES US
“Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.”“
Acts 9:13-14
“But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.””
Acts 9:15-16
“Now I’m returning to you. I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing. So, my people can experience my joy completed in them. I gave them your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn’t join the world’s ways, just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes so they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.”
John 17:13-19
GOD’S LIGHT CAN SANCTIFY US
“So, Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.”
Acts 9:17-19
“…Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again…”
Acts 9:17b
“No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized…”
Acts 9:18
“The more I have thought it over, the surer it has seemed to me that these last years have had a peace and fullness which there did not used to be.
It is a deeper knowledge and truer love of Christ….
I cannot tell you how personal this grows to me.
He is here. He knows me and I know Him.
It is the most real thing in the world.
And every day makes it more real.
And one wonders with delight what it will grow to as the years go on.” —Phillips Brooks