The Lord Who Sanctifies

THE ANSWER:
THE STRONG TOWER OF
JEHOVAH MEKEDDESHEM:
THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIES
Part 2

The call to holiness

The provision for holiness

The practice of holiness

HINT to PRINT: Highlight all 3 columns of chart, copy & paste to a word processor document & print to show entire table)

Shortly after Israel was Redeemed as a Nation, what was God's desire for them?

Ex 19:6 you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation

A separated, set apart nation, dedicated & consecrated to God (cf "to be Mine" in Lev 20:26)

What is NT parallel in 1Peter 2:9?
What is the purpose?

1Peter 2:9 (note) But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (See notes)

Proclaim excellencies of God

God's Call to holiness
Found Primarily in Leviticus

Lev 11:44 For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. 45 For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy for I am holy.' "

(See Devotional by Tozer )

Jesus echoes this call to holiness for those who would be genuine "kingdom dwellers":

"Therefore you are to be perfect (reach the goal for which you were created, attaining moral maturity) as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48-note)

What do you think when you hear that word "holy"?
Do you think of someone who has been stewed in vinegar? Sour? So pious that he is always mouthing "holy" sayings & talking about religious things? Is this what holiness means to you?

This is not genuine God pleasing Biblical holiness.

Stedman defines "sanctify" as "to put to its proper use."

To paraphrase Stedman, when a man or a woman is believing that Christ indwells them and gives them everything they need at every minute, he is being "put to the proper use," the use for which God intended. Stedman feels that "this is holiness, this sense of dependence and availability to God. This is what makes the world sit up and take notice as they see Christian men and women living the kind of life that is always adequate for every circumstance."

There is no sanctification without redemption. There is no genuine redemption that does not result in biblical sanctification. In short, God's will for saints is clear...To be holy as He is holy.

But have you tried and tried to be holy only to encounter failure and frustration at your recurrent powerlessness to progress?

If so, then the liberating truth revealed in a simple study of God's Name Jehovah Mekeddeshem (Jehovah Who Sanctifies) may be what you need to hear and meditate upon. God would not command us to be holy without enabling us to obey that command. Observe Peter's encouraging word:

"Grace & peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God & of Jesus our Lord seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life & godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory & excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious & magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2Peter 1:2--notes)

According to Peter, what is the source of "everything pertaining to life & godliness"?

Is through the "the true knowledge of Him"? If there is a "true" knowledge what is the implication?)

So let us prayerfully seek to really know Him through the "precious & magnificent promises" revealed in His great name Jehovah MeKeddeshem

Sanctification does not come from keeping the Law, but from God - God’s way is not to take us out of the world, but to take the world out of us - This separateness is not a physical removal from other people but a spiritual relocation into God’s sphere of being

Ezek 20:12 "Also I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. 13 "But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not walk in My statutes and they rejected My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live; and My sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them in the wilderness, to annihilate them.

Ponder the Words from the old hymn, Rise up, O men of God, and ask yourself are there some "lesser things" I should (under grace not law) have done with?

Have done with lesser things.
Give heart & mind & soul & strength
To serve the King of kings.

Lift high the cross of Christ,
Tread where his feet have trod.
As followers of the Son of man
Rise up, O men of God.

RBC booklet Why Would Anyone Want to be Holy? summarizes why we should desire holiness:

1) We were designed to find our fulfillment in a life that is set apart for God. [Ed note: holiness finds its essence in wholeness]

2) Sin may seem to bring pleasure [He 3:13-note, He 11:25-see note, but in the long run it is self-destructive. {Song 2:15]

3) It makes sense to live in a way that reflects our special identity and purpose. [2Cor 6:14, 15, 16, 17, 18]

4) God has chosen us to be special, different, holy, as a testimony of His love and grace in a world that is infected and enslaved by sin. [1Pe 2:9 - note]

5) Holiness is the appropriate grateful response to the gift of salvation, to the great price God paid through His Son to rescue us from sin. [2Cor 5:14]

6) God is holy, and if we want to know Him better we must learn to live for Him on His terms. [Isa 6:3, Re 4:8-note, Re 22:11-note]

7) God commands us to be holy. [Lev 11:44-45, 1Pe 1:13, 14, 15-note]

8) It's a taste of heaven now that can help us focus on the wonderful life that awaits us. [Re 20:6-note, Re 21:2-note, Re 21:10-note]

Spurgeon in a devotional commenting upon 2Ti 1:9 - note ("called us with a holy calling") says

"This complete salvation is accompanied by a holy calling. Those whom the Saviour saved upon the cross are in due time effectually called by the power of God the Holy Spirit unto holiness: they leave their sins; they endeavor to be like Christ; they choose holiness, not out of any compulsion, but from the stress of a new nature (Ed note: Jehovah Mekeddeshem now indwelling them), which leads them to rejoice in holiness just as naturally as aforetime they delighted in sin. God neither chose them nor called them because they were holy, but he called them that they might be holy, and holiness is the beauty produced by His workmanship in them. The excellencies which we see in a believer are as much the work of God as the atonement itself. Thus is brought out very sweetly the fulness of the grace of God. Salvation must be of grace, because the Lord is the Author of it: and what motive but grace could move him to save the guilty? Salvation must be of grace, because the Lord works in such a manner that our righteousness is for ever excluded. Such is the believer's privilege-a present salvation; such is the evidence that he is called to it-a holy life." Read that last sentence again...what is the evidence of one who has been called out of darkness into His marvelous light? What implications does this have for the professing church in America?

What is provision for holiness in Ex 31:13?

Ex 31:13 [In Context]
Jehovah Mekeddeshem
"The Lord Who Sanctifies"

First & only use in Ex vs 7x in Lev
Ex 31:13, Lev 20:8, Lev 21:8, 15, 23, Lev 22:9,16,32, Ezek 20:12, Ezek 37:28

Major Themes of Exodus vs Leviticus
A). Exodus:
God Redeems Israel from bondage: Ex 6:6, 15:13,16

(Torrey's Topic on Redemption)

B). Leviticus:
God Sanctifies Israel for Service:

The command "Be holy" is repeatedly given by the LORD to the saints in both Old & New Testament...Lev 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8; 1Pe 1:15,16-note

What does "Sanctify" mean?

Make holy, set apart from secular & from sin unto the sacred

So Jehovah Mekeddeshem is...
THE LORD Who...
makes holy
sets apart
separates from the profane

Click 3 Stages of Sanctification

What's the context for this Name?

Israel had just been given the pattern for the Tabernacle & it is possible the 4th commandment of the Decalogue was reiterated @ this juncture to dissuade any zealous builders from profaning this set apart day (worship of the Lord always precedes work for the Lord). It is also worth noting that we first learn of this great name of God at a time when Moses is on the Mountain & the children of Israel are forging a golden calf (Ex 32:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Sabbath means cessation from labor = rest

First described in paradise (Ge 2:2, 3)

Next in Ex 16 in relation to manna gathering

Next in Ex 20:8, 9, 10, 11 in the 10 commandments the longest description being given to the Sabbath: "remember the Sabbath to keep it holy"

Then in Ex 31:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 two new aspects of the Sabbath are mentioned:

1) A Sign between Jehovah & Israel, a perpetual covenant

2) Death to all who profane it by doing any work

The sound doctrinal truth of the Sabbath sadly over time became greatly distorted so that by Jesus' time this day meant to be a delight was an onerous burden, a "heavy load" and not a source of REST (click for Scripture references).

Purpose of Sabbath
(according to Ex 31:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)

It was to be a perpetual reminder (week in & week out) that it is Jehovah, the Great "I Am", Who was sanctifying them. This great truth should have motivated Israel to live sanctified, holy lives the other 6 days of the week so that the unregenerate pagans would see a delightful, attractive difference in their lives & be drawn to "the Way, the Truth & the Life". In so doing Israel would fulfill her glorious purpose as a kingdom of priests & a holy nation (Ex 19:6) as they clearly & unapologetically declared with their lives & then with their lips the surpassing excellencies of Him (cf 1Pe 2:9-note) Who had called them out of the darkness of idolatry, immorality & every other form of abominable, detestable behavior to be pristine, holy lights in the midst of a "crooked & perverse" generation.

Application?

Let the light of your sanctified holy life shine before men so that they see your good works & glorify (give a proper opinion of) your Father Who is in heaven. (Mt 5:16 - note) (Resources on Sabbath: Torrey's Topics, Easton's Bible Dictionary)

In summary, the Sabbath was to be a "sign" between the LORD & Israel, which would serve as a perpetual reminder to Israel (and to the pagan nations who did not have the "sabbath") of their separation to God (Exodus 31:13, 14, 15, 16, 17). Every week they were to be mindful that Jehovah was their Sanctifier, their Provider & their Provision Who alone could empower & enable the realization of living holy in an unholy world. Israel's part was to demonstrate they were "mindful" of their dependence on Jehovah's sanctifying power by doing no work on this holy day.

Lev 20:7 'You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. 8 'You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the LORD Who sanctifies you. (see context for what the LORD is able to sanctify us from)

How do we see God as Jehovah Mekeddeshem in Heb 10:10-14? Who is Jehovah Mekeddeshem in this verse?

Heb 10:10 (note) By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11
Every priest stands daily * ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, 13 waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are (present tense = being) sanctified.

REMEMBER: You CANNOT sanctify yourself by doing or not doing. or by keeping a long (or short) list of "do's & don'ts". (See Disastrous Detours - page 27 in Why Would Anyone Want To Be Holy?) God has sanctified you (past tense which is your permanent position & eternal possession) & now because you are a sanctified one (a holy one, a saint) you are enabled by His indwelling Holy Spirit to live a saintly life manifest by active volitional pursuit of holiness in everything you say & do. Don't fall into the subtle trap of pursuing holiness in your strength rather than in total reliance on the liberating truth that God is Jehovah Mekeddeshem & it is His good & acceptable & perfect will & His power that enables you to progressively become more holy as He conforms you to the image of the Holy One of Israel, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is to be the practice of believers?

1 Peter 1:14 (note) (in context) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (Click discussion of these verses) (See Devotional by Tozer)

How are believers sanctified according to Jn 17:17, 18, 19?

By the word = Truth (the word does not contain but IS truth)

“This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.”

Truth >Renews Mind > Changed life

C H Spurgeon explains the critical importance of the Word in the saint's progressive growth in sanctification...

The Spirit of God brings to our minds the precepts and doctrines of truth and applies them with power. These are heard in the ear and being received in the heart, they work in us to will and to do of God's good pleasure. The truth is the sanctifier, and if we do not hear or read the truth, we shall not grow in sanctification. We only progress in sound living as we progress in sound understanding. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Do not say of any error, "It is a mere matter of opinion." No man indulges an error of judgment, without sooner or later tolerating an error in practice. Hold fast the truth, for by so holding the truth shall you be sanctified by the Spirit of God. (Devotional)

What is God's will for His saints according to 1Th 4:3 (note)?

Will of God = sanctification
(your holiness)

What is our part in fulfilling the will of God?

Abstain (see note) from sexual immorality (porneia) (Is this optional?)

How is holiness possible?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (note) (in context) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify (make you holy) you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

How are we to approach Holiness ?
Hebrews 12:14 "Pursue peace with all men and the sanctification (holiness). This is a command for believers to continually, actively pursue growth in holiness (see note)

Why? What's important about pursuing holiness?

There are two possible answers according to He 12:14 (note).

(1) If believers fail to pursue holiness, unbelievers will not see God in their "holy life".

(2) As the Bible Knowledge Commentary states "the author may also have had in mind the thought that one’s perception of God even now is conditioned by his real measure of holiness." (cf to the beatitude "the pure in heart shall see God" Mt 5:8-note). (Click for more discussion of this Hebrews 12:14 and the concept of "pursuing holiness").

Why else is holiness important?

2Timothy 2:21 (note) (in context) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified (perf pass), useful to the Master, prepared (perf pass) for every good work.

God uses holy vessels for His holy work which is every truly good work (what men think is a good work may not be good in His eyes especially if it is "poured out" from an "unholy vessel"!).

God does the sanctifying but because I have been made holy, I will now choose to set myself apart (but even the "will" to do this comes from His indwelling Spirit prompting me to pursue holiness!) -- I do it now not our of legalism but constrained by love, like a son for his Father and in the power of the Holy (sanctifying) Spirit.

You cannot sanctify yourself by doing or not doing. God sanctifies you so that now you pursue holiness because you are already (positionally) sanctified (because He placed used positionally in Christ the moment you believed) (See chart).

In Philippians 2:12, 13 (below) Paul teaches this same truth that a walk of holiness (progressive sanctification) involves the believer's will (but again God gives our will the "want to") and God's power. Read the verses below and note the balance of our responsibility and God's role. The same truth is taught in the parallel OT passage in Ezekiel 36:27. Becoming holy is not "Just letting go and letting God".

Php 2:12 (note) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence [our part], work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 2:13 for it is [God's part] God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

OT PARALLEL:

Ezek 36:27 [God's part] ""I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, [man's part] and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Are you pursuing holiness?
Do you need to make "changes in your choices"?
Are you willing to do so?
If not, why not?

Don't get caught in the trap of doing things, keeping rules, etc to become holy. Instead set your mind on things above, fix your eyes on Jesus (not the sins that so easily entangle) the Author and Perfecter of our faith and you will find that as Christ continually increases, you (and the sins that entangle) will continually decrease [Jn 3:30] even as His Spirit works in you, progressively transforming you from glory to glory [2Cor 3:18].

The Christian life is not what I do or don’t do that makes me holy. Because I have been made holy (positional holiness), now I chose to do and not to do (progressive holiness). I DO what I DO because I am who I am which is exactly why the Ermine does what he does -- because of "who he is" (read this incredibly convicting illustration).

If you are frustrated by your inability to achieve holiness, you might benefit from the testimony of a great saint from the past, Harry Ironside, who also wrestled with this often confusing topic of personal "holiness". Read Ironside's thought provoking autobiographical account "Holiness: The False & the True" (Part 1) (Part 2)

OTHER RESOURCES

Sanctification Easton's Bible Dictionary
Sanctification Torrey's Topical (pure Scripture)
Sanctification Nave's Topical
Sanctification ISBE (detailed)

Read A Few Quotes on Sanctification and Holiness

Sanctification - Part 1; Part 2 by Ray Stedman (excellent pragmatic summary)

Sanctification & the Refiner's Fire: Read John Piper's sermons...

1) He is Like a Refiner's Fire
(Song --- "Refiner's Fire")

2) Lust of Ignorance Life of Holiness

Holiness by G. Campbell Morgan - these are Mp3's

Holiness: Definition (or Pdf)

Holiness: A Present Possibility

Holiness: Conditions (or Pdf)

Holiness: Its Fruit (or Pdf)

Holiness: Hindrances (or Pdf)

Clean for Service

Holiness Torrey's Topical (>80 cross references)

Why Would Anyone Want to be Holy? (RBC)

Holiness: A Sermon by J. C. Ryle (powerful, pithy & practical. Recommended) (Who is J. C. Ryle?) A quote from this sermon:

I cannot read the Bible without desiring to see many believers more spiritual, more holy, more heavenly-minded, more whole-hearted than they are in the present day. I want to see among believers more of a pilgrim spirit, a more determined separation from the world, a conversation more evidently in heaven, a closer walk with God

HOLINESS: THE ROOT OF HIS GRACE by Sammy Tippit from his book "Fire In Your Heart" (this is the only non-Scriptural book I've ever read more than one time. It is convicting)

Robert Murray McCheyne (biography) (some of his writings) prayed each day

"O God make me as holy as a saved sinner can be."

Worship God Who Sanctifies:
Holiness - Micah Stampley - listen to this
Give Me Jesus
Give Me Jesus - Fernando Ortega
One Pure & Holy Passion
One Pure & Holy Passion - youtube
How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin
Indescribable - Chris Tomlin
Take My Life - Chris Tomlin
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
In Need
In The Secret
In The Secret - Youtube
In The Secret - Youtube
Holy & Anointed One
Holy & Anointed One - Youtube
Do You Not Know?