A Withdrawal from the Common

I feel like in order to possess whatever God wants me to possess this year, there is something that has to take place first:  dispossess.  Sometimes you have to clear out the old in order to make room for the new.  Many of you are doing this around your homes.  You may be clearing out some old clothing or home decorations in order to make room for a few new things. 

Perhaps the same can be true spiritually.  In order to possess faith, it seems that fear would have to be let go of.  In order to possess joy, it seems that defeat and discouragement might need the boot.

I've kind of been tossing around the idea of what I might need to let go of in order to obtain whatever God has for me.

I ended up having some church in my little Jesus chair this morning.  Right at home.  The best kind of church!

Hebrews 10:10 says "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."  Looking up "Sanctified" in Greek, I was a little surprised.  It is the word "Hagiazo" and means what we might think...hallowed or sanctified.  But, it was the explanation that I found so interesting.

The word "hagiazo" (to sanctify) cannot be accomplished without someone separating himself or withdrawing from fellowship with the world.  Hagiazo means to withdraw from fellowship with the world and from selfishness by first gaining fellowship with God and toward God.

Now, I believe that we have a progressive sanctification going on at all times in our Christian walk if we are abiding in Christ.  Was Christ's sacrifice complete at the cross?  Yes, but verse 14 says that "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."  Did you catch that present ongoing verb, "who are being...?"  It is the Greek present participle and it allows for something that is progressive and ongoing.  Yes, Christ's sacrifice was sufficient and complete...that is why He can sit down beside the Father.  And yes, Christ's character is being worked out in us after salvation. Somehow, it is both.

Here is the part I found interesting:  the word "hagiazo" stands in CONTRAST with the Greek word "koinos".  Koinos means defiled, common, unclean...it can mean "common or belonging to several or of which several are partakers." 

Sometimes, the process of sanctification in our lives means we have to be set free from what is common.  You know, what everyone else is doing.  Being sanctified means withdrawing from fellowship with the world.

I know in my own life, this could look a trillion different ways.  How is it that I look just like the common...what do I do that everyone else seems to do as well?  Is it a form of social media like Facebook or Pinterest or blogging?  Is it how I spend money?  Is it how I parent?  Is it the desire to entertain oneself instead of sacrificing oneself?  Is it how I spend my time?

Jesus fully earned my redemption and perfection the moment he laid down his life for me.  Will I surrender/consecrate myself and agree to allow Him to continue to make me look like Himself?

The question I need to ask if I can muster the courage is this:  "What am I fellowshipping with or associated with that is common or defiled that I need to separate from in order to possess what God longs to give to me?"

Once again, I could use a dose of courage.  Becoming more and more like Christ is not for the faint of heart.