My dear ones, listen to the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:1-2: 1. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ²elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

Peter tells us that we are called (effectual call) “in sanctification” (made holy) “forobedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” Two things are gleaned from this verse: definite sanctification (setting apart and made initially holy and righteous before God, in other words, regenerated, born again, converted); “for obedience” (Greek, “eis hupakone”), i.e., continuous sanctification. In other words, God begins the process and is involved throughout your Christian walk ensuring that you are sanctified by using His means to get you holy. The purpose of sanctifying you initially is to get you to conform to the image of Christ, the last Adam.  Therefore, sanctification involves God from beginning to end. Sanctification is a reversal: out with the old self and in with the new self. Recommended Reading on Sanctification is to read the Westminster Confession Article 13 of Sanctification.

Have a soul-bending week!!

Pastor Jim Cater