To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Tue, 5 Feb 2002 16:00:54 -0600
Subject: Bible Study HF055 - The Sanctified Heart
Hebraics,
Sorry for the delay in providing another study. I've been recouping
from the flu. Plus I've had a hard time tracking down my 'wanna-do-
it'. Well, he came walking in my office door this morning. Let's see
what we can get started.
Lois requested a study be provided on 'separation from the world,'
but that it would include how this area can become an issue of
abuse in some groups. Since I know that some in our membership
are seeking recovery from legalistic-type teachings, perhaps this
study will help you move forward.
This is Bible Study HF055 - The Sanctified Heart.
As a point of beginning lets listen to the apostle, who says, "But
sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a
defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope
that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." (1 Peter 3:15)
The term 'separation from the world' is only a partial definition to
what sanctification actually means. In the Scriptures when
something is declared 'sanctified,' it means that the thing sanctified
belongs exclusively to God. It is to be set apart to God, or, that it is
consecrated to God. You will find this essential idea throughout the
Scriptures.
For example, God says, "Sanctify to Me, the first offspring of every
womb among the sons of Israel, both of men and beast; it belongs
to Me." (Exodus 13:2)
You can go further back, where it says, "Then God blessed the
seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His
work which God had created and made." (Genesis 2:3)
In the Hebrew language, the words sanctify, holy, and consecrate,
are the same word. It is the word 'qodesh.' (Kodesh or kodash.) The
Holy Spirit is called Ruach ha Kodesh. (Literally, 'Spirit the Holy.')
To carry this a step further, to make something holy carries an
extended idea. In this case something is made holy by virtue of
God's presence resting upon it, or in it. Concerning the tabernacle,
God says, "I will meet there with the sons of Israel, and it shall be
consecrated (qodesh) by My glory." (Exodus 29:43)
(Both ideas of holiness are carried over into the New Testament.
We are holy by virtue of redemptive ownership, and holy by virtue
of God occupying presence.)
Let me simplify how holiness began to change in meaning among
the Jews from the time of the prophets to the time of Christ. When
you hear Jesus coming against the traditions of the elders, it is
because the Pharisees had begun to place burdens on the peoples
that were never taught in the law of Moses. Rather than submit
themselves to the Biblical idea of holiness, they began to establish
their own criteria for holiness.
But there was a reason for this. The Judaism of the time of Jesus
was not the same Judaism of David or the prophets. During the time
of Christ, the rabbis (largely Pharisee) had taken center stage.
Jesus said that they had seated themselves in the chair of Moses.
(Cf. Matt23:2) And so a different forum of Judaism began to
emerge.
This very thing can happen in Christianity. A different form of
Christianity begins to emerge, while seeming to be authentic, is
really not Biblical Christianity. The technical term for this is
'heterodoxy'. Heterodoxy is defined as an opinion or doctrine, or a
system of doctrines, that are contrary to the established Biblical
standards of faith. In other words, a heresy.
Heterodox religions take to themselves the garb of authority. This
means that they set themselves up as true Christianity, and all other
forms are in error. While at first everything seems to be in order, but
before long the peoples are being strapped with man-made religious
burdens.
This will help us understand why Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who
are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew
11:28) He then explained that His yoke was easy. (The yoke is a
kingdom yoke where each believer is given to walk personally with
Jesus.)
Remember Peter said, "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts."
This brings us to the essence of sanctification and the separated life
as it is taught and experienced in the new covenant.
The Lord spoke through the prophets concerning the new
sanctification to come. Through Ezekiel, God said, "Then I will
sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you
from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give
you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove
the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
(Eze36:25,26)
(Clean water is a symbol of God's Word. In this case it speaks of
the power of the gospel to produce the inward change in the
hearer.)
What happens in the new covenant, is when a person turns to the
Lord, the Holy Spirit takes of the blood of Jesus, sprinkles it on the
heart, and this person is sanctified through the blood. But this
sprinkling speaks of two wonderful things: It speaks of Ownership. It
speaks of Presence. So we see the same ideas given in the former
covenant, but in the new covenant they become spiritual realities.
What of the burdens of man-made religion. A good many people
get caught up in them before they realize it. And this is why when
the truth is realized, they often have a reaction against anything that
reeks of bondage. Anyone who has been caught up on bondage,
and made free, will have a very sensitive awareness of any form of
bondage trying to work around them.
The answer will always be found in the sanctified heart. In the new
covenant, every believer is called to sanctify Jesus as Lord in their
heart. Only when this happens will the trappings of religion fall to
the side. The problem is that the Lord never gave us religion to
serve as our master in life. He alone has that right.
This does not mean that the Lord does not congregate His people.
Far from it. What it means is that the congregating of God's people
will be in holiness and truth. There will be no lording over God's
people. The Lord Himself will be Lord of each believer, and the Lord
Himself will meet with each congregation of 'holy ones' with His own
presence.
There is much more I would like to share, but I think this is enough
for now. I've left much unsaid since it is my hope that this study will
become a catalyst for further discussions. I want to encourage those
who may be seeking recovery from oppressive teachings, draw on
this study by asking questions. Also feel your liberty in making
observations.
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace
of God; that no root of bitterness springing up
causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)