Put off, Put on - Sanctification in Action

In seeking to replace sinful habits and patterns, we must look to the word of God to find the biblical antidote. God's word is living and powerful or active (Hebrews 4:12); it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16).

Studying scripture's admonition to put off and put on is a great exercise. With that in mind, I would like to share what I gleaned from my own study. Below each passage is listed along with what we are to actively put off and what we are to actively put on instead.

1) Ephesians 4:25: Put off lying; put on speaking the truth
2) Eph. 4:26-27: Put off holding a grudge; put on forgiveness- be angry and do not sin
3) Eph. 4:28: Put off stealing; put on hard work with your own hands, share with the needy
4) Eph. 4:29: Put off corrupt words; put on edifying words that impart grace
5) Eph. 4:31-32: Put off bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking; put on kindness, be tenderhearted and forgiving
6) Eph. 5:4: Put off filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting; put on giving thanks
7) Eph. 5:11: Put off fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; put on exposing the unfruitful works of darkness
8) Eph. 5:18: Put off being drunk with wine; put on being filled with the Holy Spirit
9) Phil. 4:6: Put off anxiety; put on an attitude of prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
10) Col. 3: 8,12-14: Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language; put on tender mercies, kindness humility, longsuffering, meekness, forbearance, forgiveness, love
11) Romans 13:12-14:Put off the works of darkness, revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, envy, strife, provisions for the flesh; put on the Lord Jesus, walk properly

As I look over this list I see that every area of my life is revealed... my speech, my thoughts, my actions, my attitudes, my habits. I also see that sin in so pervasive that I must be on guard at all times, actively putting off and putting on while fully relying on God through prayer. But the key to every put on is the last one... put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us strive to have the mind of Christ in everything we do and say and think; He will enable us to put off and put on.

New Year - Valley of Vision

"O LORD,

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed

in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,

sanctifies, aids every hour,

that I may not be one moment apart from thee,

but may rely on thy Spirit

to supply every thought,

speak in every word,

direct every step,

prosper every work,

build up every mote of faith,

and give me a desire

to show forth thy praise,

testify thy love,

advance thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,

with thee, O Father, as my harbour,

thee, O Son, at my helm,

thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,

my lamp burning,

my ear open to thy calls,

my heart full of love,

my soul free.

Give me thy grace to sanctify me,

thy comforts to cheer,

thy wisdom to teach,

thy right hand to guide,

thy counsel to instruct,

thy law to judge,

thy presence to stabilize.

May thy fear be my awe,

thy triumphs my joy."

Taken from "The Valley of Vision - A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions"

Set apart for His good purpose

This past Sunday morning in our adult fellowship group our teacher talked about how we have been chosen for a purpose (Ephesians 1:3-6). For what purpose? To be holy and blameless before Him, to be conformed to the image of His Son, and to bring Him glory.

While we are positionally sanctified in the eyes of God at the point of salvation because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, in order to accomplish His good purpose we who are His children go through practical sanctification in this life (I Peter 1:15, Heb. 12:14). According to Romans 12:1-2, it is presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, dying to our own will and be transformed into the image of His Son.

Webster's dictionary defines sanctification this way:
1. The act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God.

God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. 2Thess. 2. 1Peter 1.

God has chosen us (Eph. 1:4), God has redeemed us by Christ's blood (1:7), and God has sealed us by His Holy Spirit (1:13). His Holy Spirit is the sanctifier:
~He abides in us (John 14:17)
~He is the One who teaches us (John 14:26)
~He guides us in all truth (John 16:13)
~He reveals the things of Christ (John 16:14)
~He reveals the things of God (I Cor. 2:10-13)

Praise God for the Holy Spirit. Because of Him, practical progressive holiness is not left up to our own devices. Yes it is a constant yielding of our will, desires, and plans to God. Yes we must daily build altars upon which we burn those things that would draw our hearts away from our Lord. This is all made possible by the grace of God through the inner working of the Holy Spirit. We are more than conquerors as we fully rely on Him to take these weak vessels and affect change.