I Am Part Of The Church, I Belong To The Lord, Not To This World

November 11-17, 2008

Pastor: Edith Cruz

Study #566

Topic: “I Am Part Of The Church, I Belong To The Lord, Not To This World” 1 Corinthian 1:2 It was very clear to Paul that a church had been established by God. The Corinthian siblings were the fruit of that church founded by Paul and he was looking out for everything that was happening there. Nowadays, many believers and religious leaders live a pathetic life to what happens in the church of Jesus Christ, and when one is far from the church, of course one cannot understand the work that is being done in the church. Paul, as preacher and founder, had to reprimand the many irregularities in the church of Corinthians, because it was necessary to correct the wrongdoing and for all to understand clearly his authority. It was up to the Apostle Paul to correct what was wrong and the evilness the world sowed in those Corinthian people. The church of Christ is taken to perfection by God. We are separated for God, He took us, separated us and that is pride, a satisfaction and greatness in our lives. We must understand that God forgave us in Jesus Christ, He washed us from our old sins and now we are separated from the corruption of this world. But, we have to be careful, because the moment arrives when the things of this world are seen as normal for the church. Paul understood very well that those people were separated by God, that they were called to be holy, constituted and formed. 1 Corinthians 1: 2 “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Jesus Christ and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-- their Lord and ours.” We are constituted to be holy. To be called to be holy is the intention of God. The good thing about this gospel to which we belong to is that we sanctify ourselves day by day. But, in many occasions the devil comes to knock us down. All of a sudden, the day in which everything is in order and going well, the enemy attacks us strongly. Then, that process of sanctification can be interrupted and then we become mingled with this world. To get back on the right path is not easy; there is a price to pay of abnegation and repentance to be able to retake the life of sanctity. A life of sanctity is a life that pleases God, an excellent life, a life of justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is the best way to live. We have to wake up and retake the process of sanctification. Paul used his authority given by the Highest, by God, to correct the irregularities that occurred. We must understand that what is wrong has to be corrected. This way, we all benefit and God is exalted. John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Those who want to invoke the name of the Lord have to be holy. I insist, to be holy is to live separated for God, separated for the well being and for what is righteous, it is to live a pleasant life before the Lord. That is why Jesus asked the Father to sanctify us. It was very clear to Jesus what the necessities of His disciples were. To sanctify is to put aside. God chose us separately so that we can be faithful, righteous, cleansed day by day. Is this not the best that could’ve happened to us? Is this not the best thing a kingdom or society can have, to count with men and women who are righteous of heart and separated from evil? Nevertheless, our goal is even more excellent; we have to be holy because we are dedicated to God, for His service. Someone who is not holy, dedicated to God, will not be able to offer a service. We sometimes think that we conserve our souls by being in a ministry. But, the correct way of doing this is by living in sanctity. That is why the world cannot overcome us, as long as we conserve ourselves in sanctity. The only way we can approach God is in sanctity. Hebrews 12:14 Men, women, children and youngsters who are righteous conserve themselves in sanctity. It was Jesus’ petition for the new believers to be holy.

We have help directly from God to complete the work of sanctification in us. Besides the Holy Spirit, that helps us in the process of sanctification, we have the Word of God that has a great sanctifying effect in believers. We are also sanctified by the power of the Word. This produces in us a desire to sanctify ourselves; we become a separate vessel, appropriate for the Master’s use. He cannot use anyone who ignores what sanctification is. Jesus asked that His people be separated from the world, pleasant to His heart and useful for Him. Ephesians 5:25-27 “ …just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” This is a confirmation to the church that we have to sanctify ourselves. Some show that they have left the process of sanctification because of the irregularities in their lives. The church has to be sanctified because the church represents God wherever it goes. God cannot be harmed or the church. The Word shows us where to go and what to do. The love of God for the church is shown by His work in the process of sanctification. Our lives are purified when we listen to the Word and we are cleansed each day more. We are cleansed according to how we listen to the Word. We are sanctified in the truth of the Word of God. It is in us to keep being educated by the world or, for a change, to be educated through the Word. The blood of Christ purifies us for once and for all and the Word delivers us from sin; it purifies us from the contamination and impurities of this world day by day. We are being washed in the present, not by water literally, but by the purifying agent which is the Word of God. If we invoke the name of the Lord we do so in sanctification, because we are sanctified by the blood of Christ and His Word. The church as the bride of Christ gets prepared, gets purified, get sanctified. If as the church we decided to cleanse ourselves, we will be useful instruments for the honor of God. 1Timothy 5:22 Those who care for their ways and doctrines with God are separated from the wicked to be useful to the Master in every good deed. Only God can conserve us pure. Therefore, we have to struggle day by day to sanctify ourselves, either we are holy or we are worldly. I have preferred to be a holy woman for God. Amen.