Statement of Faith #9-Sanctification

Official Assembly of God Statement of Faith #9-Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil and of dedication unto God. The scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy." Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit.

Sanctification is a big word and rightly so, it represents a big thing. Sanctification occurs when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior (instantaneous sanctification). It is also an ongoing process that we call progressive sanctification and eventually leads to final sanctification when we reach glory in heaven.

According to Romans 12:2 God calls us to separate ourselves from the world and devote ourselves to righteous living. In reality, this is an ongoing process. I know there are many non-Christians who look at Christians and see ongoing sin. This is reality. A pastor at our church has said that we are all sinners, saved by grace and unfortunately, we are all hypocrites. Becoming a Christian does not make us automatically sinless. We must continue to struggle against sin on a daily basis. It is necessary that we maintain a constant state of awareness and vigilance against evil in our lives. But, the Holy Spirit living inside us gives us the power we need to overcome sin. Do we always choose properly? Unfortunately we don't and I thank God for his continuous grace.

Please, if you are not currently a Christian, do not allow someone else's Christianity, or lack of it to affect your own personal decision. On judgment day you will need to answer for yourself alone and not for those around you. Another person's unwillingness to live a righteous life will not be a valid excuse for your own unwillingness to accept Jesus as Lord over your own life.

"I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2