Insulated But Not Isolated

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us…sanctification… —1 Corinthians 1:30

“The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification is “Christ in you…” (Colossians 1:27). It is His wonderful life that is imparted to me in sanctification— imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God’s grace. Am I willing for God to make sanctification as real in me as it is in His Word? The perfection of everything is in Jesus Christ, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfect qualities of Jesus are at my disposal.” Mt Utmost For His Highest

Most Christians would agree with the idea that they have been “set apart” by God.  But the same “most” would have a difficult time explaining what that means in a practical, day-to-day, application to their lives. Jesus was castigated for “carousing” with sinners by the religious elite.  

“On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” - Matthew 9:12

So being sanctified must not mean that you isolate yourself from people who are sinners. No, what it means is that you must insulate yourself from their sin.  And how do you do that?  You see, the root of the problem is a matter of your heart’s devotion.  Jesus was fully devoted to the will of God.  

Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.”  - John 6:38 

As we live our lives each day, we must keep our focus on the Father’s will and be faithful to it.  When Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with all of our being, that does not leave room for anything else. No desire or earthly affection should be allowed to "nudge" God out of the way. Just as you could not avoid sin before you were a Christian through your determination, you cannot avoid sin – remain insulated – through your determination now that you are a Christian. If the Word of God is not part of your daily life.  If prayer is not part of your daily life. If you fail to associate with Christians who are insulated, themselves, you are in spiritual trouble.  Sanctification is a state of spiritual being that starts in the heart and is evidenced in the way you live and what you love.   

Remember that you are in the world but not of the world. Many think that is a verse from the Bible but is actually a paraphrase taken from Jesus' prayer in John 17.

I [Jesus] do not pray that You [Jehovah God - the Father] should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." - John 17:15-16

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone