Bring on the Rain

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."[Romans 12:2 NLT]

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." [Philippians 4:8 NLT]

SANCTIFIED-->To be separated from SIN and dedicated to GOD.

These are a few things that have been discussed at church lately, and have caught my attention. The past few weeks the hot topic at Crossroads has been, What it means to be sanctified.

So what DOES it mean to be sanctified? Well a lot of things were brought up tonight in class that made me realize that not everyone has the same outlook on sanctification. For me, the term "sanctified" can be looked at like an umbrella. When we choose to be sanctified, we choose to "shield" ourselves from the worldly things that attempt to hinder us. We have complete control as to who, or what we let in under our umbrella with us. God has given everyone the opportunity to dedicate their lives to Him. When we make that decision and go forward in our relationship with God, we have to understand that there is a line. A line between good and evil, right and wrong. Or between heaven and hell. The question is, who or what are you letting in under your umbrella? These things can make or break which side of the line you stand on. Just as Romans 12:2 and Philippians 4:8 tells us, we should not transform to the world but fix our thoughts only on things that are worthy of praise. So the challenge is; find your OWN umbrella, open it up, and get ready for the rain. And when the storm hits, be ready to fight for what you believe in, and be confident in which side of the line you stand on.

"There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow." [Martin Luther]