As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order. Today’s devotion included I Thessalonians 5:23-24 which is quoted below.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”
I Thessalonians 5:23-24.
The first two definitions of “sanctify” in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary are:
‘1: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate
2: to free from sin : purify ‘
Thus, man can “sanctify” in the first sense of consecrating or setting apart some one or some thing for a sacred purpose or to a religious use. Man can consecrate or set apart his firstborn, an assembly, his leaders, the Sabbath, God’s name, and even himself. Thus, you will see the following Scripture:
- Exodus 13:2
” Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.” - 2 Kings 10:20
And Jehu said, ” Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal ” And they proclaimed it. - 1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses And Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever.
- 2 Chronicles 35:6
“Now slaughter the Passover animals, sanctify yourselves and prepare for your brethren to do according to the word of the LORD by Moses.”
- Nehemiah 13:22
And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as gatekeepers to sanctify the sabbath day For this also remember me, O my God, and have compassion on me according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness.
- Isaiah 29:23
But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, They will sanctify My name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob And will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
- Ezekiel 20:20
‘ Sanctify My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
- Ezekiel 44:24
“In a dispute they shall take their stand to judge; they shall judge it according to My ordinances They shall also keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed feasts and sanctify My sabbaths.
- 1 Peter 3:15
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
But, only God can “sanctify” in the second sense of purifying us, making us free from sin. Thus, you will see the following Scripture:
” Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
This distinction is very important. Just because man may be able to “sanctify” in the first sense of consecrating or setting something apart like a Sabbath, does not mean that man can “sanctify” in the second sense of purifying or freeing from sin.
Only God can purify you. Only God can free you from sin. Faithful is God who calls you. He also will bring it to pass.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 