In the previous articles, we discussed Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice on the cross and the reconciliation made possible by it. Those who take advantage of this become God’s special people, which is what Paul discussed in the passage below:

“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life” (Romans 6:16-22).

The Greek word for sanctification (hagiasmos) is derived from the word for saint (hagios). Sanctification is a consecration or purification. To be consecrated means to be set apart or holy (the meaning of the Greek word hagios). To be purified is to be cleansed of our sins. Jesus’ death on the cross makes it possible for our sins to be washed away so that we can be set apart as His special people.Continue Reading