Sanctification is rarely taught in churches or in homes.

That is why so many Christians slip, flounder, fall into sin and live in sin.

One of the main reasons sanctification is not taught is: only a small minority of our Church leaders are willing to take the chance of offending someone. Their church attendance might fall off and donations would fall.

I remember when the preacher of my childhood preached the truth with fervency. It was not always well taken, but God’s flock stood with him.

The community thrived, for they put their love into action and made it real. If someone was living in sin, that one was confronted personally by whoever knew and urged to repent and live in a God pleasing way. Open sin was not condoned.

Of course, since I’m 82, that was a quite a few years back. Now, Christians are openly sneered at, demeaned, slandered and legally persecuted for living worthy of the God. Our whole country is suffering for it. And, half-hearted Christians let it go.

Paul wrote Timothy this would happen in the last days.

“But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.” 1 Timothy 1:8-11.

“Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.” 1 Timothy 3:8 (Hebrews 10:19-39)

“Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in union with the Messiah Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12.

Paul gave Timothy the remedy.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

A Call to Persevere

“But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.
But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.
And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.” Jude 1:17-23 (Romans 6:15-22; 2 Peter 3:1-7)

All Scripture quoted if from the Berean Study Bible

 

~ Bill Bremer

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Bill Bremer is Founder and Managing Director at Kingdom Relationships Colorado.

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