Look again at being sanctified. The lexicon says it means “to purify internally by reformation of soul.” Our soul is our mind, will and emotions. That’s some pretty internal stuff. This says that our soul undergoes a reformation. According to Webster, “reform” means: “to make better by removing faults; correct. … to form again.” (Webster’s New world Dictionary of the American Language, page 624) So when our soul is reformed, it is made better “by removing faults”. Notice that it says faults are removed, not simply hidden or covered over. The soul is formed again or made new. Hallelujah, the knowledge of the Truth has the capability make us free from the baggage of sins, past and present, as well as old hurts and habits! Our spirit was saved when we were born again and now our soul can be reborn, as well! When instructing born again believers, James said, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21. Please don’t think that I am saying that if we read, study and know what the Bible says, we are automatically made holy or righteous. It’s not that simple. It is at that point where we make a choice. Will we do the right thing which we have learned in God’s Word or will we fall back into doing what our flesh desires? Note James’ words again, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
These were fellow Christians James was addressing. They had already been “saved” but James refers to the need for their souls to also be saved as well. The mind, will and emotions need to be redeemed – that is restored back to their original state before the fall in the Garden of Eden. Let’s face it – When we are born again, our mind, our will and our emotions do not automatically line up with God’s righteousness. We do not suddenly have all thoughts that are completely pure. We do not suddenly have all desires that are righteous. And we do not suddenly express all holy emotions that exhibit no anger, no fear, no worry--- but instead all pure love, joy and peace. Purity of mind, righteous desires and constant peace comes by way of continuous study and application of scriptures, communing with the Father, subjecting ourselves to sound biblical teaching, and listening to and heeding the directions of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Granted, no one does this all of the time, but God’s Word is there for us and we must choose to receive it and allow it to be implanted into our souls and spirits. When we do these things we are accomplishing this instruction from James: “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Until our souls are redeemed, we are not capable of living above sin and being in position to receive the blessings that God greatly desires to give us. Likewise, we are not in position to live the life of purpose, fulfillment and super abundance that God planned for us before we were even born. Jesus said we must be born again and now James says our soul also needs to be saved.
So knowledge of and life application of the Truth of Gods’ Word will sanctify us, help us remove sin and give us the power to sin no more. I did not say that we will never sin again. I said we will have the power in us to sin no more. God created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He called us to be holy and knows exactly what it takes for us to accomplish that high goal. We have to want to do this. The study of God’s Word can help put the want to into us and then it will also instruct us in the how to. How does it help to put the want to in us? By helping us to better know our Heavenly Father and His son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Using a cliché --- “to know Him is to love Him,” has never held truer. While all this is taking place, the Holy Spirit, indwelling us, will strengthen and empower us to get it right more and more as we grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding. “It” being our thoughts, motives, intents of our hearts, our words and deeds.
Let’s look more at the Holy Spirit’s role in our capacity to resist the temptation to . . . ~~ To be continued in my next post.
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