How can believers live out their identity as "washed" and "sanctified"? Identity Affirmed: Washed, Sanctified, Justified 1 Corinthians 6:11 – “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” What “Washed” and “Sanctified” Mean • Washed – cleansed once for all from the guilt and stain of sin (Titus 3:5). • Sanctified – set apart to God, declared holy, and placed on a lifelong path of increasing holiness (Hebrews 10:10, 14). • Both are accomplished “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God,” rooting identity in His finished work, not personal effort. Living Washed: Daily Cleansing in Practice • Keep short accounts with God through ongoing confession (1 John 1:9). • Fill the mind with the pure water of the Word (John 17:17; Psalm 119:9). • Renounce old patterns immediately when they resurface (Ephesians 4:22). • Extend forgiveness to others the way Christ washed you (Ephesians 4:32). Living Sanctified: Walking Set Apart • Pursue holiness intentionally (1 Peter 1:15–16). • Refuse conformity to the world’s patterns (Romans 12:2). • Choose companions and media that reinforce purity (Proverbs 13:20). • Serve as a “vessel for honor” by focusing on usefulness to the Master (2 Timothy 2:21). • Guard speech, appetites, and habits so that outward behavior matches inward calling (Colossians 3:5–17). Fuel for the Walk: The Spirit’s Empowering Presence • Walk by the Spirit to silence fleshly desires (Galatians 5:16). • Stay continually “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). • Bear the Spirit’s fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Practical Rhythms for Everyday Life • Begin the day in Scripture and prayerful dependence. • Memorize key verses that confront recurring temptations. • Participate faithfully in gathered worship and the Lord’s Table. • Seek accountability with mature believers. • Engage in acts of service that shift focus from self to others. • End each evening with thanksgiving and honest self-examination. Hopeful Perspective: God Finishes What He Starts Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 – “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely… The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” Living washed and sanctified rests in Christ’s accomplished work, responds by Spirit-empowered obedience, and looks forward to the day when the process becomes perfect completion. |
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