Category Archives: Sanctification

Bible, Bondslaves, Enslavement, Eternal Life, Fruit, Sanctification, Sin, Slaves

THE GREAT EXCHANGE 

ROMANS 6:22

“But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.”

This time of the year there are lots of Christmas parties. One of the favorite games among adults is “Dirty Santa.” Now, that sounds worse than it is. The rules are everyone brings a gift which is supposed to cost within a certain range, say $10. All the gifts are wrapped without any names attached. Everyone gets in a circle, and numbers are drawn representing everybody who is there. Number 1 goes first, selects a gift and opens it. Number 2 goes next, but they can take Number 1’s gift or select their own. If they “steal” Number 1’s gift, Number 1 gets to select again. This continues until everyone has gotten a gift by “stealing” someone else’s or selecting one of their own. Some exchanges are good while others not so much.

Paul tells us clearly that we exchange slavery to sin for slavery to God. We know the slavery to sin leads only to death and destruction. But Paul tells us here that slavery to God produces good fruit (same word we saw in yesterday’s blog). This fruit results in sanctification and eventually to our eternal life with Christ in the heavenlies.

APPLICATION

It’s important to look at the verbs in today’s verse. “Set free” and “enslaved” are both Aorist Passive Participles which are tied to the main verb “derive.” Aorist means a certain, undefined point in time. Passive means it is done to you. In the first one, “set free,” we have the Greek word eleutheróō, which means “properly, set free, release from bondage; (figuratively) to remove the restrictions of sin (darkness) because delivered by God into true spiritual liberty (growth).” (HELPS Word-studies) We see that used in John 8:36: “So if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed”

The next verb (participle) is “enslaved,” which is the Greek word doulóō. This form of the Greek word, according to HELPS Word-studies is “focusing on the status of being a bond-slave.” Do you know what a bondslave is? It is someone who has chosen to serve someone. They weren’t taken by force. It was a willful surrender of their will to the master’s. What a great picture of our surrender to Jesus.

The main verb of this verse is “you derive.” That’s the Greek word echo, and I don’t mean that is something you hear when you yell in a cave, lol. It’s a simple verb, but the important thing is it is in the Present Indicative Active. Let me just say it’s an ongoing activity. We will derive or get the benefit or fruit continuously. Hallelujah! The Great Exchange – the bad for the good – sin for righteousness – impurity for purity – unholiness for holiness. Now, go live that way today.

Lord, I am not worthy to be called Your child, but You have chosen me and I serve You willingly.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Impurity, Lawlessness, Physical, Righteousness, Sanctification, Scripture, Slaves

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

ROMANS 6:19

“I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your body’s parts as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.”

In our physical bodies, some parts are exposed to the public and others are covered for modesty and privacy. You all know that. It would seem we put way too much emphasis on our bodies. Billions of dollars are spent every year on lotions, shampoos, anti-wrinkling creams and the such. We are in this lifetime struggle to try to stay younger, but we all age and we all die. That’s just a fact.

Paul uses the analogy of the body and its members a few times in scripture. In today’s verse he basically is telling us to stop using our bodies for sin and use them for righteousness. Physical sin was rampant in Paul’s world. There were temple prostitutes and all sorts of immoral behavior. Many believe the downfall of Rome was due to their increasing tolerance of immorality in their society. When everything is accepted, nothing is stood for.

APPLICATION

Jesus uses this same word for “body’s parts” in Matthew 5:29-30. “‘29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.’” Now, Jesus wasn’t advocating for one-eyed or one-handed followers. No! But He was warning us of the perils of the human flesh.

How are you using your body right now? You may be saying, Carl, I am not in the least bit concerned about my body. Well, you should be because as a follower of Christ, your body is His body. Everything you do or don’t do to your body affects how He can use you. I know from personal experience the limits we can have physically if we are ill or weak. I still can’t do certain things I could do before my two stem cell transplants.

How does Christ want to use your body? He wants you to exemplify perfection. Not physical perfection but perfect presentation of your body to Him. Jesus uses all sizes and ages of people. He doesn’t require you to be physically strong to be used. But He does expect us to do all we can to care for the vessel He has given us to live in. Give your bodies to righteousness and not sinfulness.

My body belongs to You, O Lord. Take it and use it for Your glory.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Gospel, Sanctification, Scripture, Set Apart

SET APART FOR THE GOSPEL

ROMANS 1:1

“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”

We begin a 433 day journey today through the book of Romans, one verse at a time – all 433 verses. Are you ready? I truly thought about stopping my blog again, but each time I think about that and pray about it, someone reaches out with an encouraging comment saying how much these blogs mean to them. Listen, I am flattered, but that is not why I keep writing. I just feel compelled to do so. So, hang out for this ride through Romans.

As we begin in verse 1, Paul introduces himself with this description – “set apart for the gospel of God.” We know all about Paul’s conversion on the Damascus Road and the message he received from a reluctant Ananias. We know about Barnabas coming alongside him and being set apart by the leadership in Jerusalem. But this description, I think, goes beyond that. Paul knew he had a holy calling to preach the gospel wherever and to whomever God led. The cost did not matter, only the calling.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon explains the use of the Greek word for “set apart” this way, “The verb’s ten New Testament occurrences paint a cohesive theology: God separates to bless, sanctify, and send; humans may separate wrongly through fear or prejudice; and ultimately the exalted Son will separate all humanity in righteousness.” The word is used in a variety of ways, but they all mean to separate from something else.

Are you “set apart”? Have you separated yourself from the influence of the world? That’s not as easy as you think. All around us are people or companies trying to influence us in one way or the other. It is so important that we surround ourselves with like-minded people. We should try as much as possible to patronize like-minded businesses. We can’t isolate ourselves, but we can sure insulate ourselves.

In Matthew 25:31-33, Jesus “sets apart” or “separates” those who follow Him and those who don’t. “31 ‘But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.” The choice is simple – be set apart now so you will be set apart later. Amen? Amen!

Father, thank You for setting me apart for Your Gospel. Help me share it daily.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Husbands, Sanctification, Scripture, Washing, Wives

A GOOD WASHING

EPHESIANS 5:26

“so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,”

Way back in 1985, I made my second trip to Liberia. I was still in my first year of marriage and my wife was pregnant with our first child. When I returned from two weeks in Africa, having been back in the bush, I had a unique smell. To put it bluntly, I stunk. With my wife’s heightened sense of smell due to her pregnancy, something had to happen quick. I scrubbed and scrubbed until I finally got rid of the smell. Most of my clothes were thrown away, lol.

Paul is not saying that the wives stink so their husbands must give them a good washing. Instead, this cleansing, this washing was a sanctification process. Paul uses a similar phrase in Titus 3:5. “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” So, Paul is saying in today’s verse that the man’s primary goal should be the salvation and sanctification of his wife, just as Christ did for the church.

APPLICATION

I love 1 Corinthians 6:11 which says, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” This is what the godly husband desires for his wife. His goal is not control and power. His goal is to see his wife become more like Jesus. To follow up from yesterday’s verse, that is real love.

In John 17:17-19, Jesus talks about our sanctification. He is praying to His Father and says, “‘17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” A godly husband will use the Word to lead his wife toward her sanctification.

Husbands, how do you want your wife to smell? I want mine to smell more like Jesus. Nothing thrills my heart more than to see her studying the Word. She loves to read out loud to herself. Sometimes, I will stop out of her sight and just listen. Then I lift a prayer to our Father and thank Him for her desire to know Him more fully. Husbands, wash your wife with the Word and lead her to a fuller sanctification.

Father, I thank You for the honor of leading my wife and loving her as You do.

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Abiding, Age, Bible, Following, Maturity, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture

GROWING OLD WITH GOD

ZECHARIAH 8:4

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “Old men and old women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each person with his staff in his hand because of age.”’”

My late brother-in-law, Wayne Barber, used to say, “Growing old ain’t for sissies.” Well, that’s the God’s honest truth, lol. Some people say waking up with pain is just a reminder you’re still alive, lol. I am only in my early 60’s, but I have survived two stem cell transplants and am always at risk for a third flare up of my disease. Struggling with health issues will make you feel old. But I know as long as I live each day for the Lord, He will sustain me.

Today’s verse is the third of ten “thus saith the Lord” type sayings. God is delivering these ten sayings emphatically through Zechariah. Today’s is such a blessing. He is telling the people that they will grow old in Jerusalem once again. They won’t die at an early age due to war. They won’t die in a foreign land. They will grow old at home leaning on their staffs. What a promise to a people who are in desperate need of one.

APPLICATION

How old are you? I know you are not supposed to ask a woman that question, right? But I am not talking about chronological age. I am referring to your spiritual age. How old are you in Christ? I was saved at 16, so I’m @47 years old spiritually. But even that does not say how spiritually mature I am. I know a lot of baby Christians who were saved decades ago. Your spiritual age has more to do with maturity than how long you’ve been saved.

In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul scolds the Corinthian church for not growing up. Listen to his words and examine yourself with his words. “1 And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people?”

I want to grow old in Christ, but more importantly, I want to mature in Christ. I want to grow wiser in His Word. I want to know others can come to me for godly advice. The only thing I want to lean on is His Word and His Truth. Everything else will just crumble beneath my hands. So, I ask you again, how old are you?

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. 

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Awe, Bible, Holiness, Reverence, Sanctification, Scripture, Worship

MY HOLY ONE

HABAKKUK 1:12

“Are You not from time everlasting, LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. You, LORD, have appointed them to deliver judgment; and You, O Rock, have destined them to punish.”

I don’t hold many things as holy. The Bible, of course, is holy. I consider baptism and communion as holy events. I even know some holy people. What does that mean – to be holy? That word in the Greek means to be set apart for a specific purpose. But let’s take a look at the word Habakkuk uses here. It might surprise you.

This title given to God here is one commonly used by another prophet, Isaiah. Just look at some of the times it is used by him. Isaiah 1:4; 5:19, 24; 6:3; 10:20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19; 30:11-12, 15; 31:1. Wow! And that is only a few. Do you get the picture. This title is important. The Hebrew word means sacred. Habakkuk wants to start by addressing God in holiness and awe.

APPLICATION

We have lost that sense of awe when addressing God. In the attempt to make Him personal, which He is, we have forgotten that He is also a holy God, deserving of all our reverence and worship. How we show that I believe is important. Why? Because the world is watching us.

You would be hard pressed to find a preacher in an U.S. pulpit wearing a suit and tie today. But that same preacher will don that attire when conducting a funeral. Why? We are showing respect in the wrong places. Now, let me quickly say that what you wear to church does not make you holy. But how you present yourself to others, I think, shows Who you hold as holy.

Some churches on Sunday mornings could pass for night clubs with the decibel level of the music and the darkness of the rooms. I know I am meddling today. But I so desire for us to return to a spirit of holiness and reverence for our God. Don’t allow the world’s influence to creep into your worship. Stay holy!

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. I want to cry holy.

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Abiding, Belief, Bible, Hearing, Listening, Relationships, Sanctification, Scripture

ANSWER ME

MICAH 6:3

“My people, what have I done to you, and how have I wearied you? Answer Me.

I have mentioned before that I spent over three decades working with children and youth in the Child Welfare system. Give me a kid that is vocal and shouting rather than one that will not talk. Even when caught in the act of disobeying, these children will most often not respond to questions. Passive-aggressive is one term used for them.

The people God had chosen to love were acting that way. They had been caught in their sins, and now they were refusing to confess them and talk to their God. Unlike me, God is extremely patient. Psalm 103:8 say He is compassionate and gracious. He just wants to hear from them.

APPLICATION

Do you hear the Lord speaking to you? If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit who indwells you speaks for the Father. He is drawing you towards Him. He is speaking. Will you not talk back? Carl, that is plain crazy. I am not going to talk out loud to Him. Why not? He is as real as you and I.

I love to pray out loud. It helps me clarify what I am saying. It reduces distractions for me. And when I talk to the Lord, guess what? He almost always talks back. Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit. You may ask, How do you know that is the Lord? Because the words line up with His Word.

Now, there have been times when I did not want to answer God when He talked to me. In those times I was not living as I should. I was rationalizing my sins. I was simply resting in my salvation but not living to be sanctified. There is a big difference. Oh, how wonderful to hear His voice. The next time you hear it, answer Him.

Speak Lord, and I will answer. I love to carry on conversations with You.

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Abiding, Bible, Calling, Destruction, Disciplemaking, Idols, Sanctification, Scripture

GOT TO GET THE ROOT

MICAH 5:14

“‘I will uproot your Asherim from among you and destroy your cities.’”

Weeds are a result of the fall of man in the garden of Eden. Before the fall, plants had no “enemies.” Weeds had no purpose. But since then, weeds have plagued farmers and gardeners alike. To get rid of the weeds, you have to get the root. If you just break it off, it continues to grow and spread. You have to really dig deep.

God is going to uproot any Asherim (wooden images of the Phoenician goddess) and destroy (totally exterminate, demolish) their cities. Any place that held an idol was going to be purged. God was going to flatten the surface from any corrupting influence for His people.

APPLICATION 

Idols still exist today. They are all around us. I have said it before, but it deserves repeating. Anything that comes before your relationship with God can be an idol. Anything! God wants and desires first place in your life. He is the only one deserving of that.

Being in the ministry sometimes blurs that line. I think I have been pretty good about protecting my family and keeping them before my ministry. There have been times when the “ox was in the ditch” and I had to work longer hours, but for the most part I tried my best to keep them before my ministry.

But the line gets blurred between my relationship with God and my ministry. They are not one in the same. My ministry is my calling to share the Gospel and disciple men into disciple makers. But I cannot do either of those effectively if I am not abiding in the Vine. That abiding must come first, followed by my family and then my ministry. Take a minute and evaluate your priorities. Do you have something on the shelf above God? If so, take it down a notch or two.

Praise You, O God, for reminding me of Your place in my life. You should always be on the top shelf.

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Accountability, Affliction, Battles, Bible, Enemies, Holiness, Judgment, Modeling, Sanctification, Scripture, Suffering, Surrender, Trials

RISE UP

AMOS 6:14

“‘For behold, I am going to raise up a nation against you, House of Israel,’ declares the LORD God of armies, ‘and they will torment you from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of the Arabah.’”

I have learned from personal experience how God can raise up things in my life to teach me a lesson(s) that I need to learn. Now, hear me clearly. This is how He has worked in my life. I can only speak to that. But I know for a fact that He allowed my health issues to grow me more like Him.

That is always His purpose behind our trials. Amos speaks forth God’s words declaring the coming of a nation that He is sending to bring God’s judgment on Israel. It would a full judgment stretching from the northern most point to the southern most point of the country. God’s judgments are always complete.

APPLICATION

If you are in the middle of a trial right now, thank God. Yes, I said thank Him. Why in the world would you want to do that? Because every trial sent our way is meant to make us more like Jesus. God doesn’t allow trials in our life to toy with us or to just cause havoc. Every single aspect of that trial is orchestrated by Him to make us holy.

You may be ready for the trial to be over. Can God see Himself in you yet? Are you surrendering your all to Him? Do others see God portrayed in your life through this trial? That’s what God is doing. Rest assured – this trial won’t be over until God says so. He doesn’t leave it half done. He will complete it.

So, come on God. Enough already. I’m good enough. Obviously not. Every trial has a beginning and an end. God will bring you to fulfillment. And oh, when He is finished, you will look so much more like Him. You will see later what He was doing in that trial. You may not see it until you get to heaven, but you will. Rest in Him. Trust the process and give Him glory.

You’re still working on me to make me what I ought to be. I know that and am willing to be molded into whatever You want me to be.

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Accountability, Bible, Commands, Confession, Direction, Guilt, Modeling, Obedience, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Scripture

SARCASM

AMOS 4:4

“‘Enter Bethel and do wrong; in Gilgal multiply wrongdoing! Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days.’”

I can get very sarcastic at times. In fact, I like sarcasm. That has gotten me in trouble more than a few times. I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t be sarcastic with people who don’t understand or appreciate it. When I have done that, it caused hurt feelings and even anger a few times.

In today’s verse Amos is using a bit of sarcasm. He is telling the Israelites to keep doing the things they have been doing. They had been doing wrong. They had brought their sacrifices and tithes pretending they were doing all that God expected. Just keep on doing what you’re doing Israel.

APPLICATION

Before you start pointing fingers at Israel, are you doing the same? Do you go to church, throw some money in the plate but live like the devil all week long? God doesn’t want our tithes and offerings when we are not being obedient to Him in our daily walk. He had much rather have our obedience.

When we come before Him daily and live obediently God is so pleased. We don’t need to sneak around. God knows what we are doing all the time. Hadn’t you much rather live honestly and uprightly before your Lord? I sure do.

I have learned it is much easier to live openly than try to conceal a hidden sin. With my bad memory I am not good at concealing anything. But I know I can’t. God sees all. So, just live so that His eyes only see holiness and godliness. That’s what He desires.

Father, I praise You for seeing all. I have no reason to hide anything from You.

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