Sanctification and Holiness
 
Now according to some persons in the last many centuries there have been many different Christian religious movements, amongst them the separate holiness movement which today is not as prominent or influential as it has been in times past.. the holiness, sanctification movement initially more associated with old time Methodists and the older Pentecostals rather than the newer ones, but it is still associated with the present Catholic Christian charismatic renewal movement..
 
1: Whereas the Pentecostal Movement was for the most part a separate movement outside the mainline denominations, the Second Wave or Charismatic Movement,   Second Wave 1960- 1982 was very much a mainstreaming of Pentecostal theology. The Charismatic Movement differs from old line Pentecostalism in several significant ways including a rejection of the necessity of speaking in tongues as a sign of the baptism of the Spirit. However tongues speaking does remain a very important element in most Charismatic Pentecostal circles.

 "Two popes have acknowledged the Catholic charismatic movement: Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II stated that the movement was integral to the renewal of the entire Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II (as well as then Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI) acknowledged good aspects of the movement while urging caution, pointing out members must maintain their link to the Catholic Church

"Pope John Paul II situates the whole programme of Christian activity for the Third Millennium (and therefore of the Renewal too) in the context of our call to holiness.  "First of all, I have no hesitation in saying that all pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness... Once the Great Jubilee is over, we resume our normal path, but knowing that stressing holiness remains more than ever an urgent pastoral task... The objective gift of holiness is offered to all the baptised. But the gift in turn becomes a task, which must shape the whole of Christian life: 'This is the will of God, your sanctification'  (1Thes.4:3)".  The Pope goes on to declare, "Since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity... The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction". In other words, holiness, in the power of the Spirit, is intimately linked with our bearing abundant or more fruit.  To many Christians in today's world, Paul's testimony to being 'crucified with Christ' becomes almost nonsensical. Jesus' call to forsake everything, to 'hate one's own life also' (Lk.14:26), and his charge that he who would save his life must lose it (Mk. 8:35-36) simply do not make sense to people who live by this vision of the good life. But we must remember that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus, and he always directs us to the Crucified One and thus to the Way of the Cross. The Spirit forms in us the character traits to follow that way. The Spirit implants in our hearts the strength to follow the way of weakness, the power to receive and care for the powerless, the peace to endure and absorb hostility". (Remember the example of the Saints, Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Don Bosco, Maximilian Kolbe, etc., and Mother Teresa as well!) The   Charismatic Renewal: A New Pentecost?  St.Paul also teaches about the need for God's People in every generation to witness to this "new life" (by showing they have changed from a worldly to a holy lifestyle):"  http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/fiomascarenhas/scripturallyspeaking/22.asp

2: The doctrine of Spirit baptism as a second work of grace supposedly to some grew directly from the  soil of the second-blessing  protestant “holiness” sanctification movement of the nineteenth century. Many holiness teachers in the eighteenth century rejected the orthodox doctrine of sanctification as a lifelong process of spiritual growth, in which sin is never completely eradicated in the believer. Methodist holiness teachers taught that Christians could receive a “second blessing” which gave the Christian in one moment “entire sanctification.” The sinful nature was supposedly completely eliminated in the believer. And, thus, the believer was perfect and sinless. The second blessing doctrine of entire sanctification, or sinless perfection, not really true “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves; and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:8).  (Eccl 7:20 KJV)  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21   Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22   For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
 
 3: The Holiness-Pentecostal tradition . "The majority of authors identify  Pentecostalism  father as England's John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.  Wesley preached about the baptism of the Holy Spirit (or "second blessing") which he claimed was an intense personal experience confronting the Christian with the presence of God.  The theological roots of Pentecostalism supposedly lie in the Holiness Movement pioneered by John Wesley (1703-1791). Wesley promoted the idea of “Christian Perfectionism” which he defined as freedom from self-will and a desire for nothing but the holy and perfect will of God. Charles Finney (1792-1875) later equated the idea of Wesley’s second work of grace with the concept of the baptism of the Spirit.  In time, Wesley's Methodist sect became more mainstream, and Pentecostalism branched off into different areas. 
 
The original Pentecostals next supposedly took the second blessing doctrine one step further and taught the “baptism of the Spirit”   accompanied by the gift of "tongues.” as a third blessing. Although most Pentecostals eventually next had rejected the idea of entire holiness or sanctification. (2 Cor 4:7 KJV)  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us. Instead they are  concentrating on overcoming sinful self they emphasized rather the latter rain doctrine, doing great things for God, or salvation evangelism like many evangelicals also do... and  the main stream evangelicals wrongfully tend to neglects personal  sanctification generally altogether these days.
 
The Lutheran Church charismatic renewal movement  was influenced by charismatic Episcopalians and Catholics but was also part of the wider charismatic movement, Catholic charismatic movement too, which emerged out of the Pentecostal movement, all of which flowed out of the holiness movement, pietism, and all renewal movements dating back to the early church.  In the 1960's many Lutheran clergy and laity encountered a spiritual experience they had not known before, that is, the "baptism of the Holy Spirit."  These people whose lives were thus changed became known as "charismatics," those who promote the use of the gifts of God as described in 1 Corinthians 12.

The Third Wave Charismatic, Pentecostal, or Signs and Wonders Movement, latter rain movement, originated supposedly in 1982 with John Wimber (1934-1997) when he left his association with the Calvary Chapels to pastor a church in Anaheim, CA, called “The Vineyard.”

Some professing fundamental Christians falsely do people try hard to downplay, discredit the spirit of sanctification, this holiness emphasis even today, falsely claiming they are new historical movements rather.
 
From the time of the church's beginning, as recorded in the Book of Acts in the Bible, through out history as well,  in Methodist Holiness Movement to the Catholic Charismatic renewal in the 1960s and to the Pentecostal revival in Pensacola, Florida in the mid 1990s, the staggering growth of the Holliness, sanctifcation, Pentecostal, Charismatic movement has certainly impacted the world.
 
While all 3 of these Holiness movements, the Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic  religious movements bear some similarities, and they also do differ, there still clearly is a need to revive the Holiness, sanctification theology, the  need to be personally holy today by the power of the holy spirit in all churches and in all Christians too.
 
But sadly it is also true that some of  the Charismatic and the Pentecostals believers too have been led astray by their leaders, by their false down playing of the importance of obeying, following daily the  words of God himself..
 
There is no better description of the purpose of Pentecost,  than this text. (Acts 1:8 KJV)  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Since THE HOLY Spirit Baptism is a true entry into the will, and the holiness of God. The coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, upon us is to enable us also to live, no longer for ourselves but for Him, our Father God! The whole of the Acts of the Apostles confirms this, describing well what Pentecost meant in practice, namely, obtaining the PERSONAL inner experience of God's love, and the outward ability to live it, to share it in  steadfast ways, to help others as well.  Our personal Salvation and Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit himself, his empowerment to do great things,  are the first indwelling and permanent Gifts that real Christians do receive. (Luke 10:20 KJV)  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. We become "sons and daughters" of God and  a "new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17) states clearly  we become "sons and daughters of God" and "co-heirs with Jesus Christ" (Rom. 8:15-17), and are now  "transformed, daily, ongoing, degree that by degree, one can be changed into the full image of Jesus" (2 Cor 3:17 ).  It is this ongoing personal spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit and by the word of God, which makes it possible, empowers also  for us to live non self-centered lives, doing great works in the footsteps of our God, and Elder Brother, Jesus, and so we too can  bear more good fruit, fruit which will last.  St. Paul also teaches about the need for God's People in every generation also to personally receive,  witness, follow  to this "new born from above life"  (consciously continually changing from a worldly to a holy lifestyle): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal. 5:16,22). St. Paul points out that whereas the desires of the flesh "prevent you from doing what you would", the word of God and indwelling Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit enables the disciples to overcome the flesh and to live unselfish lives, and so bear the good fruit, for God's glory. (Psa 119:11 KJV)  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. How does the spirit even accomplish all this in one's life..  He the holy Spirit still  uses God's words to us to change us. (Rom 10:17 KJV)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
 
(John 15:4 KJV)  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
 
As I have mediated on the lack of holiness living these days and what must be done about it too, I became fully convinced by God that we need to preach it as well. To set forth God's word on the subject,

While God will do his part even now related to the the issues of overcoming sin, sanctification, carrying out God's plans, or on our being able to live  a holy life we also must do our own part, cooperating with God and his word...  Eph 4:24 KJV)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Rom 6:19 KJV)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. (Luke 1:75 KJV)  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (Isa 35:8 KJV)  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

WE FIRSTLY ARE FULLY JUSTIFIED, FORGIVEN AND ACCEPTED NOW IN CHRIST

The word “justified” (Gk: dikaloo) means to be declared righteous, to be innocent or acquitted by a court of law. In other words, a justified person is not condemned by the judge. It is just as if he did nothing wrong. The Bible says that the believers are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:24). That means that God does not condemn us. God sees us as innocent - just as if we had never sinned! Why? Because at the cross, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, took the guilt and condemnation that we deserve for our sins. He paid the price. By trusting in Christ and turning to God, we receive the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice. We are declared by God to be righteous. We are forgiven. “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,” (Ephesians 1:7).

As Christians, people who have turned to God, and who trust Christ, not ourselves, for salvation, we already have God’s forgiveness and acceptance. This is wonderful! It means that we do not have to strive in our own power to be good enough for God. We don’t have to be perfect or to achieve some standard of holiness to be able to come into God’s presence and have an audience with Him. The blood of Jesus Christ gives us access to God, so as to be able to know Him, to receive Him and to receive answers to our prayers (Hebrews 10:19,22; Romans 5:1,2).

A person unsure of whether they are forgiven by God will not be sure if they are accepted by God. Forgiveness and acceptance go together. Forgiveness depends on trusting the grace of God enough to confess our sins, turn to God and believe that through Jesus’ sacrifice we are forgiven. It does not depend first of all on living a holy life. Even baby Christians have forgiveness, and it is important for them to know it. “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” (1 John 2:12).

It is not just that God forgives and and only tolerates us. He also accepts us. He loves us. We are now “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Even if we sin and spoil our relationship with God for the moment, God is waiting for us to come back to Him like the Father in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20). All we have to do is turn back to God, and confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We can then continue our relationship with God. This is how to walk in justification. We must believe that God forgives us when we turn back to Him and confess our sin, and then we must go on confidently. This faith pleases God. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

We don’t have to be perfect or to achieve some standard of holiness to be able to come into God’s presence and have an audience with Him but to be continually effectively use by God we must maintain our holiness, OUR walk in holiness.

(Heb 12:14 KJV)  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Our justification is wonderful, and it forms the basis for us to always be able to go on in God. Yet the highest and greatest experiences with God come to those who have made spiritual progress towards maturity beyond this level. God wants to work in us to do His will more consistently (Philippians 2:13,14). He wants to form His character in us (Romans 8:29). This is what happens through sanctification. Which has an initial process and a continual process as well..


WHAT SPECIFICALLY  IS SANCTIFICATION?

Sanctification (Gk: hagiasmos) means literally “making holy”. It also means “consecration” or “setting apart” something for a special holy purpose.

In the Christian life, sanctification has two parts - God’s part and ours. In many things in the Christian life God is playing the major role - and yet we have our part to do also - which is to respond in faith and obedience to what God is saying.

In sanctification, our part is to offer to God our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) - in fact to consciously offer our whole spirit, soul and body completely to God so that we devote ourselves to forever do His will and not our own. Our sanctification cannot be complete than the sincerity and the understanding with which we make this dedication to God.

God’s part in our sanctification is to actually change us by the operation of His blood, His Word and His Spirit. We are sanctified by God’s grace - his unmerited favor working in our hearts and lives. We have to trust God to work in us. He is the One who produces godly character in us, the fruit of the Spirit and the ability to overcome sin consistently.

Sanctification can also be defined as: “possessing the mind of Christ, and all the mind of Christ.” God wants us to allow our minds to be renewed (Romans 12:2). Our thinking and attitudes must change if we are to grow in God (Ephesians 4:23). Many of our thinking patterns, values and priorities have been shaped by the world system and not by God. We must relearn many things. “We have the mind of Christ” legally (1 Corinthians 2:16). But to actually think Christ’s thoughts and allow Him to rule our behavior we will need to submit to the work of the Holy Spirit so as to appropriate our inheritance in this area.

Sanctification also relates to emotional healing, or a changed heart. God wants remove all negative attitudes of despair, fear and rejection from us and give us a hopeful, joyful, faith-filled attitude. He wants to remove all bitterness and resentment from us. A person who is hurt or bitter needs to receive God’s grace so he or she can truly forgive those who have caused the hurt, and get free of every root of bitterness. Wrong heart attitudes such as pride, envy, impatience, resentment, rejection, selfishness, rebellion, independence and so on are the fruit of an unsanctified heart. A full sanctification in God will remove these wrong heart attitudes from us. Sometimes the term “inner healing” is used in relation to the sanctification of the emotions and memories in our soul.

Sanctification and holiness also means the appropriating daily by faith the BENEFIT of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and other qualities of godly character. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:23,24).  (Psa 19:14 KJV)  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

An  important furit of the Holy Spirit is us also now having God's love. In fact, growth in God means growth in love, for God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is the greatest and most important quality that a Christian can have (1 Corinthians 13:13). A definition of Christian love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

It is worth mentioning that the truly sanctified or holy person ALSO NOW has access to the fruit of joy. To think that gloominess and sadness is a mark of holiness is to be deceived. The Bible calls us to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16).

(2 Cor 7:1 KJV)  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
 
(1 Th 4:7 KJV)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
 
(Heb 12:10 KJV)  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Sanctification  also results in  other qualities of our godly character such as courage, endurance, truthfulness, honesty and many others. Sanctification is rooted in humility - the correct view of God and oneself which leads one to hear correction from God and others, to put down selfish desires, and to obey God from the heart. The more truly humble a person is, the more God’s grace will work in his or her life to produce all the other elements of godly character.

Sanctification means God and us overcoming sin. As God comes in and fills the life, darkness and deception and evil desire is rooted out and rejected,  cast out. The process of God's sanctification will change our motives, our thinking, our speaking, our behavior and our actions. The old nature will be crucified (Galatians 5:24) and what it produced will be stopped.  A sanctified person will also then be like God in His character and personality.

Sanctification is an initial and a continual ongoing work in the life of the Christian. Any  Christian could easily deceive himself if he considers he has permanently “arrived” already as far as sanctification is concerned. We should always be diligent to make  insure that our calling and election is sure, on the right foundation, path  (2 Peter 1:10). The salvation of the soul - the mind, will and emotions, is   never fully quite completely wrought in any Christian before he or she dies. But it is important that we receive as much of this work of sanctification in this life as possible. If we are obedient, personal follwing what God wills, instruct us to do daily then we are on the right path. To next oppose or resist any of this process is to choose sin and rebellion against God. 

WE CANNOT ACHIEVE SANCTIFICATION SOLEY BY SELF-EFFORT

Many Christians make a mistake, trusting in their own power to make them holy for God. It doesn’t matter how many promises you make to God or to yourself - if you are still trusting your own power you will not stop sinning. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). It is not just a matter of deciding, “That’s it! From now on I sin no more.” Of course you must desire to stop sinning or you will not stop sinning. The person who doesn’t want to stop sinning is not saved, because there is no longer repentance in their life! But just deciding to stop sinning doesn’t guarantee success.

The key to overcoming sin is ALSO not trying harder. It is not imposing rigid and harsh treatment of the body on oneself (Colossians 2:21-23). Isolating oneself from the world is not God’s plan for holiness. Jesus told us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13,14). We must go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15) - not run away from the world. We must love the people as God does. Self-isolation is not the key. Indeed, the Bible says “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.” (Proverbs 18:1).

Also Merely Criticizing oneself or condemning oneself does not produce holiness, although it is important to judge ourselves at times (1 Corinthians 11:31). “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1). If we know we have sinned, we should confess it, repent of it and look to God - not meditate on our sinfulness. If we don’t know where we have sinned, then we should certainly humble ourselves and ask God to make things clearer to us. And when shown what it is admit, it, repent of it, as for God's forgivness and appropriate it too.  We thus can rightfully resist Satan’s condemnation and accusations.

Trying alone to keep the laws of God does not make us holy. It will either condemn us - if we feel we have failed to keep the law - or it will make us self-righteous - “God I thank you that I am not like other men.” (Luke 18:11). Pride in what we have done through our own power is sin (1 John 2:16).

Worse than trying to be holy through keeping God’s laws in our power is now trying to be holy be keeping man-made rules, which have been added to the commandments of God for false reasons, false hidden agendas of false men and false women now too. Such rules   typically include the often special rules for us as to how to eat and/or dress - or rules about how to have, behave in the church services.

When we focus our energy on keeping these man proffered -made rules we still really are far from God (Matthew 15:8,9). We become like the Pharisees, who were very proud of their efforts to keep the traditions of their elders. None of this will lead to the holiness of heart and life which God desires. God wants mercy, not sacrifice. The Scripture verses found in Matthew 15:11, Hebrews 13:9, Romans 14:17 and 1 Timothy 4:3-5 should make it clear to us that even special rules about food are not at all the key to sanctification. Rather, they can become an obsessive distraction.

The law was designed to show us our sinfulness (Romans 7:7). The law can show us our need for forgiveness and sanctification, but in itself it never produces what we need for salvation and walking in the spirit of God. What we need for our personal forgiveness and sanctification was provided for only at the cross of Christ, in the word of God so appropriate it now , daily too.

Romans 7:14-24 describes a man who is trying to overcome sin and be sanctified through his own will-power. Paul describes it as follows: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (Romans 7:15). He goes on to say, “For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:18,19).

Note the accent on personal will. That the phrase “I will” is so often repeated here is not an accident. Despite the good resolutions and willingness, the power of sin is still ruling. It requires something more. Some have suggested that Paul here is talking about himself before he was saved. In any case it is clear that the man of Romans 7 is sincere - but he is bound by a power of sin he can’t control. He would like to do what is right. Paul says here, “For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man” (vs 22). He is not indifferent to the law of God. But here he is trying to overcome sin by the power of self, armed with the knowledge of the law. This kind of attempt is doomed to failure in anyone’s life. In our flesh dwells no good thing. It takes a life lived in Christ, in His power, in His grace to overcome sin.

It is clear therefore that sanctification requires more than simply an act of the personal will. Our wills are involved however, as we will see - but not directly in efforts to keep the law. Our wills must be used to keep our focus on Jesus. Appropriating God promises in his word. by faithOur wills must surrender to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Keeping focused on Jesus will enable the Spirit to transform us (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The normal way to keep focused on Jesus is to focus on His Word. Sanctification is part of our salvation which we must receive. Like justification, sanctification is by faith in Jesus (Acts 26:18). “Whatever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Therefore we can see that faith is the key to sanctification, through which all the other gifts and means by which we receive God’s grace are received and made effective. 

SANCTIFICATION IS ALSO FIRST  BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS

“Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace.” (Hebrews 10:29).

The Scripture teaches us that the blood of the Jesus sanctifies us. Not only does it justify us or make us right with God - it also sanctifies us. It changes us.

The first step for any person coming to God is to believe in the power of the blood of Jesus. This blood represents the payment for our sin. It takes sin away. We must believe that through the blood of Jesus we are forgiven. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Knowing we are forgiven and free from guilt, we can serve God with a clear conscience and without fear (Hebrews 9:14). We can go forward in our walk with God.

But APPLYING, ACCEPTING the blood means more than JUST ACCEPTING OUR forgiveness  IT ALSO involves our personal commitment to God and him alone, and that is the way also of our  sanctification. Applying personally God's forgivness, the blood of jesus and next wlking in, doing our own things, our own ways will insure we fail in our santifcation rather.

It is important to note the shed blood of this New Covenant  covenant. A real Christian is in blood covenant relationship with God.   The Blood covenant is a   serious types of agreements between God and man.   Being in blood covenant with someone means “All that I have is yours, and all that you have is mine.” We must realize that this is our relationship to God. All that we have is His (1 Corinthians 6:19), and yet all that He has is ours in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21; Romans 8:17; Romans 8:32; Matthew 7:7). We are no longer our won boss, nor do we walk in our way or other men's way. (Acts 5:29 KJV)  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31    Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32   And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

When we realize and practice that the blood of Jesus means that God has bought us and all that we have and are belongs to him - this has a powerful affect on our lives. We realize that we are no longer our own to go off and do whatever we choose. We must now continually listen to, obey God. The detail knowledge of this blood covenant can thus change us. 

 THE IMPORTANCE OF A TOTAL CONSECRATION

The knowledge of the blood covenant we are in as Christians calls for a conscious acknowledgement, total consecration and dedication of ourselves to God. Paul writes, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1). Many professing Christians wrongfully now have not still made Jess the complete lord and of each and every aspect of their live, pastors and elders included.

We are called to consciously dedicate our bodies completely to God and this something we must do also continually. It is also  a faith response towards God. It means that we are totally available for whatever God wants us to do. It means that our eyes, our ears, our hands, our feet, our mouth and our brains are given willingly over to God’s purposes. It means that our sexuality, family, work, income too  also now  is given over to God’s control. It means that our eating and drinking, walk  will be for the glory of God only (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The truth is that our body, soul and spirit form a unity and are linked together in many important ways. Dedicating the body to God completely will next thus affect also the mind, the will and the emotions. God will help us also to transform us in every way - in our thinking, in our behavior, in our words, in our actions - if He truly has the keys to our lives which we have voluntarily given back to Him. The renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) can only truly take place in the life of someone who has dedicated and offered his or her body to God. and if they abide in Jesus Christ, God, the Holy spirit and in his words, in the Bible. 

(Psa 51:10 KJV)  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

(Isa 40:31 KJV)  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

(Isa 41:1 KJV)  Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

(Lam 5:21 KJV)  Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

God is interested in the renewing of our minds by his spirit and his word (Romans 12:2). Much of our thinking may still be influenced by Satan through the worldly values which we have received in the past. There are so many worldly principles which must be abandoned if we are going to think with the mind of Christ.   But the basic principles on which we must base our new thinking are as follows:

a. God’s Word must be loved and sought daily. It is the final authority and the voice of truth for my life. God’s Word can be trusted. It should be acted upon.

b. I am now a child of love and am to walk in love. Every departure from the principle of love is a betrayal of God.

c. God is a good Father to me. He already loves me and accepts me in Christ, and I can safely depend on Him to meet all my needs, spiritually, emotionally, financially and in every area (Philippians 4:13). I can find total fulfillment in my relationship with God and in doing His will.

d. All voices which promise help or happiness through philosophies or ways contrary to the principles of God’s Word have their roots in the evil one and lead to death if followed.

e. Everything which does not glorify God, is not a part of his will  is worthless and a waste of time.

f. Money, worldly influence, education and talents are not to be trusted in, upon, for our trust is in God. Every good thing I have or am is because of God’s grace, goodness, love and power.

g. All thought or action independent of God is rooted in pride, sin and will only fail, hinder the flow of God’s blessings to us as well.

h. Jesus Christ is always still the centre of my life in every area. (1 Cor 2:2 KJV)  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3    And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5   That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Sanctification, a total dedication to God also now implies a dedication to constant Spirit-led prayer life. The Bible exhorts us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2), to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). 

This kind of consistent prayer is only possible by the power and working of the Holy Spirit and abiding in Christ and his word. We should be depending on the Holy Spirit, the power of the cross and every other empowerment God gives us, especially through His Word the Bible. We cannot achieve it simply through any self-effort. But we can and should ask God to work in us to produce this kind of prayer life.

(Heb 13:15 KJV)  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

What does this our total consecration to God mean in practice? Firstly it means living a life of praise to God, and obedience to God, being willing to be willing to worship and obey God always and live for Him in everything. It does not mean punishing oneself or inflicting oneself with taks, acts, duties we imagine that God might be pleased with according to us or others. God far prefers wholehearted obedience to man-inspired sacrifices ((1 Sam 15:22 KJV)  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23    For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.). (Rom 10:17 KJV)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (James 1:22 KJV)  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 2:1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

Secondly this consecration also still means our self denial and taking up the cross daily. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). We cannot be totally consecrated to God without “coming after Jesus” and Jesus tells us what will be necessary.

a. We must deny ourselves. This means saying no to the demands of self. It means saying no to selfish desires, the easiness and comfort that our flesh wants for itself, the “right” to indulge the sinful nature and to violate God’s law of love. It means saying no to pleasures which don’t come from God and don’t lead us to God.

b. We must take up our cross daily. Every day we will have opportunity to die to ourselves. Paul said, “I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Taking up the cross means surrendering to God’s will when it is different to our own will, even when the path of God’s will means passing through pain and suffering. However, we know that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:31). The more we consent to be united with Jesus in the likeness of his death, the more we will share in his resurrection power (Romans 6:5). That is true even in this life.

c. We must follow Him. This means seeking to be in His presence always through prayer, modeling our lives on His life, identifying ourselves with His nature and His purposes, and gladly obeying His commands. 

Do stay in touch  with the Holy Spirit and do not lose the touch of the Holy Spirit upon you personally, for even King Saul and Samson had sadly lost it..

(Psa 51:11 KJV)  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

(Psa 51:12 KJV)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

(Psa 51:13 KJV)  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

RECKONING OURSELVES DEAD TO SIN BUT ALIVE TO GOD

“What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death? ... Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin ... Likewise you also, reckon yourself to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. ... For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:1-3,6,11,14)

This passage contains many important revelations and some important instructions. The truth is, Jesus has already paid for our total deliverance on the cross. We belong 100% to Him. Let us believe that.

The sinful nature which still resists God has been legally dealt with. God has no program for this sinful nature except crucifixion. He does not want to educate it, to heal it, to accept it or to love it. It must be killed. It has been killed, legally, at the cross. Our old man was crucified with him.

Faith takes the Word of God and accepts it, even when the reason can’t fully grasp it. It is a revelation of major importance for our sanctification that Jesus has already provided the execution of our sinful nature. All we need to do is to consider it so. Reckon yourself to be dead indeed to sin.

What you think about yourself in relation to this determines the way you will be. Romans 6 is about overcoming sin and living for God through identification with Christ.

If I believe that through the cross I am dead to sin, that I am now a child of God, a child of love and that old things have passed away then all this will be increasingly manifested in my life.

If I don’t believe these things - if I look to my own reasoning, based on my past experiences and on Satan’s doubts, then I will fall into line with what I am believing about myself. God says that in Christ I have power over the evil one (1 John 4:4) and over temptation (1 Cor 10:13). If I believe that I have no power left to resist Satan or temptation, disregarding God’s word and looking to the negative things I feel or think, then I will fall into sin.

Let the thought that you are dead to sin grow in your mind and your thinking. All those temptations that come - think of them as coming to a dead man who cannot respond. You are in Christ and through faith in Him His resurrection power is keeping you safe (1 Peter 1:5).

We act according to what we think. If you think you are dead to sin you will act like you are dead to sin. It takes faith in God’s Word. We must consider that God’s word changes us NOW!
 

MEDITATION ON THE WORD AS A KEY TO OVERCOMING

The Word of God is a major key to our sanctification. We should not underestimate the power of God’s Word to sanctify us. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17). To work in our lives, the Word should be heard often by us. It should be studied, understood, meditated upon, believed, confessed, prayed and most of all, obeyed. We then need to act on the Word or we deceive ourselves, thinking that hearing is enough (James 1:22).

The renewing of our minds takes place in the light of God’s Word. There are a multitude of revelations of God and His ways which the Holy Spirit can reveal to us through the Bible. Reading and studying the Bible will help us to think according to what is true, what is real and what is really important. It will give us insights into the character qualities and attitudes God is looking for in us. It will increase our knowledge. And it will get our hearts and minds off worthless things that have no eternal value.

As we read and study the Bible prayerfully, we will begin to see Jesus through the Word. The Word of God is compared to a mirror (James 1:23). It reveals who Jesus is and it helps us to see how we are and how we need to change. Change happens as a result of the Word and the Spirit working together in our life. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Jesus is called “the Word of God” (Revelation 19:13; John 1:1). The Scriptures testify of Jesus (John 5:39). And He is our Savior, the one who will change us. Jesus is the One who loves us more than life itself. If you love Him you will love His Word (John 14:21,23). Let God’s Word fully work in your life and it will produce the change God desires.

There are many truths that must enter our innermost being. Many of these truths are revealed even through very small portions of Scripture - a verse or a part of a verse for example. The Holy Spirit will sometimes cause a particular truth to come alive to us. When this happens it is very good to turn that Scripture over in your mind again and again. Read it out loud over and over until you know it perfectly. Think about how it applies to your life. Say it over and over until it enters into your heart. Let that Scripture unite with your imagination and your deepest emotions. Then the living water of the Holy Spirit will flow in your being.

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16).

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8).

The key to success in the spiritual life or in any other domain in which God wants you involved is much meditation on the Word of God. It is more important to meditate deeply than widely. Even Science has shown that the more you repeat the same words the more parts of your brain are used. By meditating much and repeatedly on the same part of the Word it will enter your heart and it will transform your life. The Holy Spirit works to fix the Word deep in your heart when you fix your attention on it. When the Word arrives in the soft part of our hearts it produces faith, just as a seed in good ground produces a plant. This is the faith we need to overcome the world. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.” (1 John 5:4).

We should not think that God’s plan for us is to arrive at perfection through isolation from others. God has placed us in a body of believers - the church. The members in the church, if they are walking in Christ, will edify us and build us up in our relationship with God. The messages of a spirit-filled, Word-filled preacher will build us up and give good revelation to us. There are also excellent preaching messages available in many parts of the world available on video or audio cassette. Listening to these messages can help us greatly in growing in the Lord.

We have to be continually in tune with what God is saying and bear in mind what God wants for us. Otherwise we will begin to listen to other voices rather than the voice of the Master. For this reason, it is good to be reminded of the things of God again and again. (2 Peter 1:12). It is wrong to switch off our minds when we hear repeated in preaching ideas we have already heard before. God’s word is so precious and every repetition of it has the potential to build us stronger and to establish us more in God.

Not only God’s Word is important for our sanctification, but also our words. “Death and life is in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words are either in harmony with God’s Word, or they are not. We very rarely rise above the level of our confession, or what we say. Jesus is called, “the High Priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1). What we get from God will be influenced by what we are saying down here. If I believe God’s Word in my heart, what I say with my mouth will reflect it, for “those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18) and “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Having the spirit of faith, “we believe, and therefore we speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13).

If we find that negative words our coming out of our mouth, it is a sign that our heart needs changing. We should determine to say less (James 1:19) and to listen with more patience. Listen to God and also try to understand what people are really saying. We should allow these outbursts of foolish words to become signposts for us as to where the problem in our heart is. Then we can search the Scripture to get God’s heart on the matter and allow God’s Word to change our thinking in that area.

Many things are spoken about the importance of controlling the tongue. “If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bride his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26). “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body.” (James 3:2). “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36,37).

Faith operates through words. So do most of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “He shall have whatsoever he says” (Mark 11:23). Words are very important. Be faithful to God in your use of them, and then they will work for you, being channels for God’s blessing to flow into the lives of many. “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23; Matthew 17:20). So believe that through your tongue will only come words of faith, hope, love and wisdom, which will build others up according to the need of the moment (Ephesians 4:29). 
DEPENDENCE ON THE SPIRIT OF GOD AS A KEY TO OVERCOMING

The knowledge of the Word alone will not give us the power to overcome sin and be all that God wants us to be. The power to be changed into the image of God comes through the Holy Spirit. Just as evil spirits are at work to lead us to follow evil ways of deception, so the Holy Spirit wants to work in us, through us and with us to produce what God wants.

The Holy Spirit is much more powerful than any evil spirit. Nevertheless, He does not violate our will. Only evil spirits attempt to do this. You must cherish the presence and influence of the Holy Spirit more and more as He guides you into all truth. The more you walk in truth the more deeply the Spirit of God will be able to work in you - as long as you keep trusting God and remain willing. If you want God’s way with all your heart, if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you will be filled (Matthew 5:6). You must be filled with the Holy Spirit always to fully fulfill God’s plan (Eph 5:18).

The importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit daily cannot be over- emphasized. In the early church, even to serve at tables, the requirement the men had to be “of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). To return to apostolic power and love in the church we must make being full of the Spirit a major priority in our daily lives. The first thing we must do every morning is to seek God until we are full of the Spirit. It may be necessary to wake up earlier in order to have time to do this. May God help us.

We must not set too many rules about what may or may not happen when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. If someone touches a 220 volt power source different reactions are possible. Some may fall over - others might shake. To others, nothing may seem to be happening. The Holy Spirit is God and has unlimited power - much more than a household electricity supply. It is hard to say that being really filled with the Holy Spirit would never produce physical manifestations such as trembling, shaking, laughing or falling over. We must be careful not to decide that we will limit the terms on which we will permit God to come and visit us. God is sovereign and has the right to do what he likes. Its not good to say, “Holy Spirit come, but only do those things our minds can accept easily and our theology can accommodate.”

All of God’s sanctification is by grace. It is God’s business to produce in us the fruit of the Spirit. Only He can make us holy. What is our part then? We must believe for Him to work, and co-operate with Him. And what is necessary for this? The answer is humility. Our spirituality is only limited by our pride and unbelief in the final analysis. We can always advance more if we are willing to humble ourselves more deeply.

“Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:5,6)

God is always wanting to give more grace. Paul the apostle said, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Grace from God is always undeserved. Grace comes through the Holy Spirit. A correct relationship with the Holy Spirit is what we need then in order to receive the grace God wants us to have.

The way to receive more grace is firstly to recognize that you need it, and secondly to humble yourself. God gives grace to the humble, and the more you humble yourself, the more grace you will receive.

Fundamental to the idea of humility is the knowledge that we are not sources of goodness, but only reflectors of God’s goodness, as it were. Just as the moon shines only because of the sun, so we can be holy only through receiving moment by moment the life of God in and through us. Without Him we are nothing, and we can do nothing of any value (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; John 15:5). Its only God’s mercy and power that keeps us alive.

A humble man knows he should wait on God. We should let God be the initiator of our faith and actions, just as Jesus did (John 5:19,20; John 7:18; John 12:49,50). We should be prepared to wait for the Holy Spirit to lead us (Romans 8:14), rather than running ahead based on what we think we know we should do. We should wait on God continually (Hosea 12:6; Psalm 25:5).

One way to humble ourselves is to fast or stop eating for a while. During times of fasting we can hear the voice of God more easily. He will bring correction to us. If we truly humble ourselves, we will be willing to listen to His correction and obey Him.

Sometimes God uses other Christians to correct us. Proverbs 12:1 says, “He who loves instruction loves knowledge; but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

God wants to use other people, especially people in the local church, to correct us and build us up in the things of God. It takes humility to accept this. God will not always deal with us directly. If we want to be humble, we must learn to recognize our need for the rest of the body of Christ.

Our growth in sanctification and holiness is worked out in the context of a life of fellowship with other Christians. We need the other parts of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We need apostles, prophets. evangelist and pastor/teachers till we all come to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). God has given these ministries to the Universal Church until all these purposes mentioned in Ephesians 4:12,13 are fulfilled. We would be foolish to reject them if we want to be fully sanctified.

Living in relationship with the Holy Spirit is very important to our sanctification. We cannot be holy in and of ourselves. Rather, our holiness is really the outshining of the life and character of God in us through a relationship with Him that must be maintained all the time.

Jesus told us to abide in Him (John 15:1-7). We abide in Christ not only by feeding on His Word in our hearts, but also by learning what pleases Him and what doesn’t. Through our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we will learn through experience which things quench his presence and working in us and which things please Him. Abiding in Christ will happen when we learn to surrender our will to the will of the Spirit, and stay in the conscious presence of God. It means letting the peace of God rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). It means settling down in the presence and under the influence of Christ’s Lordship.

Obviously prayer, thanksgiving, praise and worship are all important areas for the Spirit- filled Christian to cultivate. These things please God if they are done in spirit and truth (John 4:23,24). See the lesson on prayer for more details. To be a true worshipper all the time requires a high level of sanctification in the believer. Worship brings intimacy and fruitfulness in the life of the believer.

Books could be written about each of these aspects of our relationship with God. This introduction is presented with the purpose that it will motivate and encourage you to draw near to God and let Him work deeply in you. 

FAITH IN JESUS AS SANCTIFIER AND HIS OTHER OFFICES

The Bible declares, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 10:30)

Jesus is both our sanctifier and our sanctification. It is important to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). We can see Him in the Word revealed to us as the one “who is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25). Since salvation is for the mind as well as the spirit, we know that Jesus is able to save us from bad thinking.

The more we see Jesus the more we will be like Him (1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18). If we can know Him, receive Him and trust Him more and more as Lord, as Governor, as Healer, Deliverer, as God, as Shepherd, as Righteousness, as Victory and in all His other offices and roles which He has towards us, then our sanctification and victory over sin will be so much stronger. The Holy Spirit would like to reveal Jesus more to us. That is one reason for which He was sent to us. (Acts 2:25; John 14:21-23; John 16:14). 

DELIVERANCE AND EMOTIONAL HEALING AS STEPS IN SANCTIFICATION

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24)

We see in this passage that God is able and willing to sanctify us completely - spirit, soul and body.

At the new birth, we receive a new spirit - there is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This spirit is born of God and does not sin (1 John 3:9). However, we are exhorted in many places to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:22-24). Our mind, will and emotions are involved in an ongoing process of cleansing and sanctification.

The evil spirits which were at work in our minds and emotions are not necessarily all driven out at the point in time when we receive a new spirit. The wounds of the past are not all dealt with in an instant. It is necessary for us to co-operate with the Holy Spirit as we grow in the Lord and allow Him to heal our damaged souls, to renew our minds with His truth, and to drive out every spiritual power which resists the love and truth of God.

We have seen in lesson 13 that many Christians need deliverance from evil spirits. Driving them out of our minds and bodies is necessary, just as it was necessary for Joshua and the people of Israel to drive out the giants and heathen nations in the land of Canaan which had already been given to them by God’s promise. In the same way, we must drive out the enemies that have marred and damaged our souls before (or maybe even after) we turned to the Lord.

Driving out demons is not enough. If enemies enter your house and do damage there, it is not enough to drive them out. The damage they did while there must be repaired. In the same way, after driving out demons, the soul or body may still need healing.

The most powerful healing force is the love of God. Emotional healing or "inner healing" is basically believing in and receiving the love of God in our souls. This love can be received as we forgive those who wounded us. If we do not forgive men their trespasses against us, neither will our Father forgive us. It is therefore absolutely vital to forgive others -  . Let God deal with their repentance, sinful acts.. 

(Rom 3:5 KJV)   Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? 

(Rom 12:19 KJV)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

(2 Th 1:8 KJV)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

(Heb 10:30 KJV)  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

(Jude 1:7 KJV)  Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Sometimes a Christian is deceived regarding the guidance of God. When this leads to disappointment, we need to recognize and trust that God is faithful, but we have been deceived. We must be willing to forgive ourselves, because God is willing to forgive us also if we confess it. We must renounce also any bitterness towards God for the disappointments we have experienced. God is not to blame. He is faithful and just. Rather, deception entered because of our pride and foolishness.

Renouncing bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness is at the heart of all inner healing. As we then wait in a trusting attitude before God, looking to Him, He will come and pour His healing love into our soul. He will plant seeds of hope in us, and give us a fresh motivation for life. All this is very important for people.

There is a wonderful promise for us in the book of Joel. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you.” (Joel 3:25).   "

 
 
(Exo 15:11 KJV)  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
 
(Exo 28:36 KJV)  And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
 
(Exo 39:30 KJV)  And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
 
(1 Chr 16:29 KJV)  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
 
(2 Chr 20:21 KJV)  And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
 
(2 Chr 31:18 KJV)  And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
 
(Psa 29:2 KJV)  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
 
(Psa 30:4 KJV)  Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
 
(Psa 47:8 KJV)  God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
 
(Psa 48:1 KJV)  A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
 
(Psa 60:6 KJV)  God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
 
(Psa 89:35 KJV)  Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
 
(Psa 93:5 KJV)  Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
 
(Psa 96:9 KJV)  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
 
(Psa 97:12 KJV)  Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
 
(Psa 108:7 KJV)  God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
 
(Psa 110:3 KJV)  Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
 
(Isa 23:18 KJV)  And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
 
(Isa 35:8 KJV)  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
 
(Isa 62:9 KJV)  But they that have gathered it shall eat it and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
 
(Isa 63:15 KJV)  Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
 
(Isa 63:18 KJV)  The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
 
(Jer 2:3 KJV)  Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
 
(Jer 23:9 KJV)  Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
 
(Jer 31:23 KJV)  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
 
(Amos 4:2 KJV)  The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
 
(Oba 1:17 KJV)  But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
 
(Zec 14:20 KJV)  In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
 
(Zec 14:21 KJV)  Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
 
(Mal 2:11 KJV)  Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.
 
(Luke 1:75 KJV)  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
 
(Acts 3:12 KJV)  And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
 
(Rom 1:4 KJV)  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
 
(Rom 6:19 KJV)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
 
(Rom 6:22 KJV)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
 
(2 Cor 7:1 KJV)  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
 
(Eph 4:24 KJV)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
 
(1 Th 3:13 KJV)  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
 
(1 Th 4:7 KJV)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
 
(1 Tim 2:15 KJV)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
 
(Titus 2:3 KJV)  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
 
(Heb 12:10 KJV)  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
 
(Heb 12:14 KJV)  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
 
 http://comeholyspirit.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/sanctification-and-holiness/