SANCTIFICATION 

SUFFERING 

SATISFACTION 

SETTLED 

The fifth “S” is Sanctification.          

1 Thessalonians 4: 3. 

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification …” 

“Sanctification” (in Greek “hagiasmos”) means “set apart”; set apart for special use by Adonai. That is to be set apart from all that is common. Adonai is holy and distinct from everything and therefore His desire is that His people will follow His example.      

We should distinguish between “positional sanctification” and “progressive sanctification”. 

We receive “position sanctification” when we are born again. It is perfect and complete. 

Hebrews 10:10. 

“By (the will of Adonai) we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 

The Lord Yeshua by fulfilling the will of Adonai provided for the believer a continuing, permanent condition of holiness. The work of the Lord Yeshua made the believer holy forever in the eyes of Adonai; set apart from sin by the Lord’s once-for-all sacrifice. This is the position of all who belong to the Lord Yeshua. 

Progressive Sanctification.           

Believers should sanctify themselves by separating themselves from sin and selfishness. Thus, practical, progressive sanctification is a process that will continue until the believer’s death or the return of the Lord. It is a process by which believers become more Christ-like. We will never achieve perfection or sinlessness on earth, but we should be ever pressing forward to that goal: 2 Corinthians 2:13, “… transformed into the same image from glory to glory …” 

As in all things, Adonai does not leave us to struggle on alone. We have His word and the indwelling Holy Spirit: 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “… God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” 

John 17:17. 

“Sanctify them by Your word. Your word is truth.”  

Sanctification is accomplished by means of the truth. Truth is the revelation that the Lord Yeshua gave us regarding all that Adonai commanded Him to communicate through the gospels written under divine inspiration by His disciples. Thus, the word of Adonai has a sanctifying effect on believers. As we read, meditate and obey, we are set apart as a vessel suitable for Messiah’s service. 

Psalm 119:11. 

“Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.” 

We can also see the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification. 

Galatians 5:16,17.        

“I say then: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another …” 

The Spirit of Adonai transforms believers into the likeness of the Lord Yeshua. This is the gradual process of sanctification. The goal of the believer is to be like the Lord Yeshua, and by continually focusing on Him, the Spirit transforms the believer ever more into His image. 

The more the believer grows in knowledge of the Lord Yeshua, the more He is revealed in our lives. 

1 Corinthians 1:30. 

“… you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption …” 

The wisdom of the Lord Yeshua is our sanctification. As well as wisdom, He imparts righteousness. We have no personal righteousness; we have nothing in ourselves of which to boast. His wisdom enables sanctification. 

The secret of sanctification is occupation with the Lord Yeshua, and not with self. This miraculous process of sanctification is not produced in an instant. It is a process and the power behind this process is the Holy Spirit. As we behold the glory of the Lord, study Him, contemplate Him and gaze at Him adoringly, the Holy Spirit works in our lives producing the miracle of increasing conformity to our Lord. 

We have seen the balance of the combination of the Spirit and the word. The Spirit without the word within us is mute; He has nothing to say. The word without the Spirit is lifeless: it has no power to act. It takes the work of the Spirit united with the word to convict the believer of the truth. 

With this power, we can do the work we have to do. 

1 Thessalonians 4:7. 

“For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness …”  

To reject holiness is to reject Adonai and the ministry of the Holy Spirit within us. He has called us from the cesspit of degradation and has begun a lifelong process to make us more like the Lord Yeshua. 

Romans 6:19 – 22.      

“For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness … so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for holiness … But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” 

Having been set free from sin, the believer should serve righteousness just as he served sin before trusting in the Lord. His new relationship with Adonai enables the work that he must do in the process of his sanctification. 

Whilst obeying rules cannot bring salvation, those who are saved ought to live lives worthy of their salvation. 

Colossians 3:5.       

“Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” 

The term “members” means characteristics/typical behaviours. Following one’s own desires instead of Adonai’s will is a form of idolatry. As we take steps to avoid these evils, we allow the process of sanctification to continue. 

2 Timothy 2:22. 

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.” 

So, Adonai’s desire for us is our sanctification. To that end, having chosen us, He set us apart when we were born again. Therefore, He assist us in the process of sanctification (making us more like the Lord Yeshua) through His word and the Holy Spirit. Having been freed from sin, we can, under the influence of the word and the Holy Spirit, continue to work on the life-long process of sanctification which has as its ultimate end, glorious eternal life with the Lord.  

The sixth “S” is Suffering. 

This may seem rather surprising that our loving, heavenly Father would desire that we experience suffering in this life. We need to consider this more closely. 

1 Peter 3: 14 – 18.         

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed … sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you … having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ will be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sin, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God … “ 

Since not everything in this world functions as it should, even those who do the will of Adonai may undergo suffering “for righteousness’ sake”. 

Believers should always, in whatever circumstances, acknowledge the eternal holiness of the Lord Yeshua by revering Him as Lord of the universe who has control of all things. We should revere the Lord as sovereign over all aspects of our lives, even the most difficult ones. All we do and say should be to His glory. 

Believers should have rational answers to those who question our faith. We should be ready to talk about what the Lord has done in our lives and to respond to false accusations. We should do so confidently but gently with no trace of bitterness or flippancy when we speak of our Lord. 

We should be of good conscience. If you know you are innocent, you can go through persecution. And we should remember that “Christ also suffered”. No one has suffered as He did; being innocent and sinless He suffered most unjustly. 

However, the Lord Yeshua triumphed through His suffering to the point of being exalted to the right hand of Adonai. And all the demonic beings who were behind His suffering have been made subject to Him forever: “… angels, authorities and powers have been made subject to Him” (1 Peter 3:22). 

Can there be blessing for us in suffering unjustly? 

1 Peter 4:14 – 16.        

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”  

Being unjustly blamed because of your association with the Lord Yeshua is a blessed experience because when believers suffer on behalf of the Lord Yeshua, they discover the close relationship they have with Adonai who will refresh their souls. And such suffering brings reward in the next life. 

Matthew 5:10 – 12.     

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 

To be clear, persecution is not something to be sought, but it may come one’s way. 

These verses in Matthew describe two types of persecution which bring blessing. 

In verse 10, we see persecution for righteousness. The blessing is entry to the kingdom of heaven. That is for believers who suffer for doing what is right. Their integrity condemns the ungodly world and brings out its hostility. Unsaved people hate a righteous life because it exposes their unrighteousness. 

The other persecution is that which is incurred “for Christ’s sake”. To suffer for the Lord Yeshua is a privilege that should cause joy. A “reward” awaits those who become companions of the prophets in tribulation. 

It is possible for believers to experience suffering as a part of Adonai’s perfect plan. 

1 Peter 4:19.        

“Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”  

Adonai may cause suffering through chastisement of believers, but His purpose is never punitive but restorative. 

Proverbs 3:11 – 12. 

“My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord nor detests His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects; just as a father the son in whom he delights.” 

Hebrews 12: 7. 

“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”  

Chastisement can bring us back to where we should be. 

 Hosea 6:1. 

“Come and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken but He will bind us up.” 

If the Lord brings suffering to us, it can be so that we can experience His rescue and comfort. 

Psalm 34:19.     

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” 

Similarly, a disability may be part of Adonai’s plan and protection of us, and our strengthening. Remember the “thorn” in Paul’s flesh. 

2 Corinthians 12:7 – 10.      

“And lest I should be exalted beyond measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure … therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

1 Peter 5:10. 

“… may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory, after you suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen you and settle you.” 

Therefore, we have seen that believers are not exempt from suffering and persecution. But if this comes our way for the right reason, we will be brought closer to our Lord, experience His comforting and we can anticipate reward. The Lord Himself may have cause to chasten us. But such action is always restorative in purpose and not punitive. In such a situation we can rejoice as we experience proof that we are indeed His children. 

The seventh “S” is Satisfaction”. That is contentment; a feeling of being content and being fulfilled. Again, this is only possible for believers and is seen in a habit of thankfulness. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18.      

“This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

We are to please Adonai by giving thanks no matter what our circumstances. If you are thankful, you are contented and satisfied with your lot. 

Thankfulness/satisfaction should characterise the life of the believer. Job gave thanks in the middle of a host of personal tragedies. Nothing demonstrates more powerfully a walk with the Lord than continuous thankfulness, contentment and satisfaction with what Adonai has provided. 

Nothing epitomises the unsaved like the lack of satisfaction, contentment and thankfulness. 

Romans 1:21.      

“.. although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” 

Dissatisfaction and covetousness are a major cause of man’s affront to Adonai. The unsaved refuse to acknowledge that every good thing comes from Adonai; they refuse to recognise His goodness, power and provision. When man rejects truth, the darkness of spiritual falsehood replaces it; and men develop a desire for more of everything which cannot be satisfied. 

2 Timothy 3:1 – 4.     

“… in the last days perilous times will come; for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God …” 

Here we see a complete lack of satisfaction and thankfulness. Times have been fraught since the Lord’s first coming and they are getting worse. The unsaved are lovers of self; a form of idolatry. They are self-centred, greedy and therefore never satisfied or content; always wanting more. 

The eighth “S” is Settled; being settled.      

Hebrews 10:36. 

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”  

“Endurance” is the ability to keep going. To achieve this necessitates being settled in one’s aims and in one’s mind. Endurance in faith produces a settled state and confidence in the promises of the Gospel. When we trust in the Lord fully, we know where we are in life; living in the will of Adonai. 

To put one’s trust in the Lord Yeshua is to obtain the promise of salvation; the promise to enter His rest. For the believer this rest produces a settled, contented life. We receive confidence in our salvation, the ability to rely on His strength and the assurance of future heavenly inheritance. 

Be settled! There is no need to run here, there and everywhere. 

Matthew 7:24,25.    

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken to a wise man who built his house on a rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat on the house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” 

The key to the strength of this house is of course its foundations. A foundation of rock (the gospel of the Lord Yeshua) is a settled life which stands the test of time. 

The precepts of the Lord are not a burden but lead us into what our new nature loves. The truth makes us free and settled. 

James 1: 25. 

“… But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word, this one will be blessed in what he does.”    

To “continue” implies a settled pattern of conduct consistent with a settled outlook on life. Let the Lord Yeshua be settled with you and be at home with you (Ephesians 3:17, “… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”) 

John 8:34,35.   

“… Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.” 

A slave cannot have feelings of being settled, belonging or permanence. He who trusts in the Lord Yeshua is however, a “son” i.e., he is settled and secure. There can be no feeling of being settled and secure where there are sin and rebellion against Adonai.  

Conclusion. 

We have therefore seen things which Adonai desires for us: our salvation; an attitude of self-sacrifice; a Spirit-filled life; an outlook of submission; our sanctification; an appropriate attitude to suffering; a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of being settled in our lives.  

What more could we ask for ourselves! 

AMEN.