“For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers,” Hebrews 2:11 HCSB
Jesus does the sanctifying, setting apart, in us. We are washed by His blood. We are sanctified by His resurrection. So why do so many want to a Christian who looks like the world? Would not it be better to be a Christian who looks like Christ? Without Christ we are nothing. He gave up His place in Heaven to live like a man in every way to give us a road to God. Without Jesus, we would need to be sacrificing bulls, sheep, and goats to temporary cover up our sin. But Jesus has paid that price once and for all. Why not give up our life because He loved you and me enough to give up His. He wanted brothers and sisters that are His and not some half-hearted half brothers and sisters.
“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm.”
1 Peter 3:18 HCSB
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 HCSB
My favorite phrase lately has been: Be the brother or sister Jesus would be proud to have. No doubt some of us have a brother or sister that we are kinda embarrassed by. Usually, it is not because they do something good, but because they do something that is wrong. We still love them but they might just be annoying at times. Jesus feels the same way toward us. There are times we have embarrassed Jesus, but He still loves us. Why not, never embarrass Him again and live and love Him with all you have.
If we are Christians but we are not sanctified can we say that God is not our father? Have we deceived ourselves into thinking we are saved?
To be a Chrisitan makes Jesus our Lord and Savior. We have accepted His work on the cross to make Him our Savior. And we have allowed Him the right to be our Lord, Boss. We must obey Him. Yes, there will be times when we slip up and sin but He wants that to be the exception and not the rule in our lives.
“So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires.”
Romans 6:11-12 HCSB
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2 HCSB
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