02/04/2019 - THE IMPORTANCE OF SANTIFICATION

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And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. Joshua 3:5

The first chance to enter into the Promised Land was lost by the Israelites, when they were carried away by fear and asked to send 12 spies to check if the region was as God had said. After 40 days, they came back with the bad news, and the people went into despair. Each day spent by the spies in that place corresponded to a year in which they would wander through the desert, so that, with pains, they would take possession of such land.

After forty years of wandering, they were tired and saw the death of the men who had refused to go in to possess the land; now, they would cross the Jordan river, and would begin to take possession of Canaan. They would need to sanctify themselves, for the Lord would do wonders amongst them. When they possessed the first land, they did not have to fight, for God Himself would drive out the villagers with hornets.

Since they refused to obey the Almighty, the other strategy was that of man, with wars, deaths, and suffering. How many women were widowed? How many children became orphans? The same thing happens with those who convert, but then give up believing in God. These people are influenced by the deceitful and wicked accounts of individuals who are not of God. Do not prevent the Almighty from blessing you!

Without sanctification, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). There are many Christians who act like those that are lost, because they do not seek holiness and live their lives with bad thoughts. We can say that their entry into the Kingdom (if it happens, because the rebellious Israelites died along the way) will be with deep suffering. This is not God’s plan, just like it was not His intent for the Hebrews to wander for many years in the wilderness and to wage war to take possession of what was theirs.

If you live in holiness you will only win. In this way, the Most High will never allow the enemy to oppress you nor add terrible evils to your life. Many people have been wandering from one side to the other, trying to get rid of their  problems because they simply do not seek the Word that cleanses them, renews their strength and gives them the safe guidance. If they do not change, they will never fulfill the plans of the heavenly Father!

When the disobedient ones refused to climb the mountains of the Amorites to take possession of the land, they caused the Lord to undo His victory plan for them. Thus, they wandered in the wilderness. This is what happens to those who do not submit to what the Most High has planned and end up giving in to the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things (Mark 4:19).

Whoever you are, consecrate yourself to the Most High, let Him fulfill Himself in your life. What He has in store for you will give you the greatest joy and bless you greatly. You will be someone He will be able to count on, so that His plan will unfold according to His will. Do not frustrate Him!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares