IT’S NOT MY JOB!

Philippians 2:12-16

INTRODUCTION: One area of life that causes more conflicts than most others is the area of the division of labor. Because of a lack of the division of labor in our homes many things that should be done never actually get done. The job that God has assigned t all of His children is often discussed in His Word. Yet all too often God’s children want to believe it is not their job!

I. GOD TOLD THE PEOPLE OF THE NATION OF ISREAL:

A clear command was given by our Lord to His chosen people, Israel: Leviticus 19:2. The Hebrew word for “holy” here is “qadish” which means “to be a separated people.” All the other nations were idolatrous. Israel was to be separated unto Jehovah God. God said the Sabbath Day should be holy: Exodus 16:23. The priest’s garments were to be holy: Exodus 29:29. The anointing oil was to be holy: Exodus 30:30-33. The tabernacle was to be holy: Leviticus 16:2. The vessels of the tabernacle were to be holy: 1 Kings 8:4. God’s Name was to be holy: 1 Chronicles 16:10-11. The city of Jerusalem was to be holy: Nehemiah 11:1. The Temple of God was to be holy: Psalm 11:4. God’s covenant with His people was holy: Daniel 11:30. The offerings to God were to be holy: Leviticus 2:3

II. TODAY OUR LORD COMMANDS US AS BORN-AGAIN SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD TO LIVE HOLY LIVES!

The Greek word for holy and the Greek word for sanctify in our English versions of the Bible are of one and the same root: Holy = “hagiazo” and Sanctify = “hagiazo.” Both of those words mean “to set apart-to separate.” 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; John 17:15-19; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. The good news of the gospel is not only do we gain eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ but we are also called unto holiness for His glory and our good. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18. In the beginning man was made in the image of God: Genesis 1:27. Our God’s goal now for all those who trust in Jesus Christ is to make us over now to be a reflection of the Son: Romans 8:28-29. The question before us is holiness or sanctification my job or God’s job?

III. SOME CHRISTIANS BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT THEIR SANCTIFICATION IS ENTIRELY “GOD’S JOB!”

Those folks would say “There is nothing I can do about my sanctification. God does it all or it does not get done!” The support they come up with for this view is from Scriptures like Romans 7:18. They would say human effort and obedience and works are legalism! Luke 10:38-42; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

IV. OTHER CHRISTIANS TAKE THE VIEW THAT SANCTIFICATION IS ALL THEIR JOB!

These take the approach that their sanctification is a direct result of their commitment level. These believers would use verses like: Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7. Throughout the history of the Church there have been Christians who determined to make themselves holy. Each one striving to do be holy by their own effort. Their churches become places of contest to see who memorized the most verses; who won the most converts, who has the longest quite time with the Lord. They may not show much of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives but they are sure they are sanctified and holy because they are doing everything on their list. Exactly whose job is my sanctification? Philippians 2:12-16. Yes our sanctification is truly a work that God does in our hearts but must be worked out in our lives by determined effort on our parts as well.