Sanctified By God The Father

Jude addressed this short epistle “to them that are sanctified by God the Father.” The word “sanctified” means set apart or devoted for a sacred service, just like Aaron in the priestly service of the Tabernacle (Ex 40:13). When lost sinners get saved by trusting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour by faith (Jn 3:7), they are positionally sanctified “once for all” (Heb 10:10). Jude’s intended audience are the believers in Christ (1 Tim 4:12), whose sanctification have been “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Eph 1:13). Sadly, most modern Bible translations have replaced “sanctified” with the word beloved or who are loved; giving the context of the verse more about us and what we received from God and less about who we become after conversion (Acts 3:19)!

 During these “perilous times” (2 Tim 3:1), we can easily recognize many people in our society who are becoming more and more self-righteous, while having their narcissistic attention focused on themselves (Rom 1:29). They lack empathy and expect others to think and feel how they do (Rom 12:3). They also hate being corrected (Prov 12:1), but loves to take advantage of vulnerable people as long as they agree with them. However, to be sanctified by God is to be a vessel of honour (1 Thes 4:4), because we are new creatures “in Christ” (2 Cor 5:17)!

Therefore, we are called to be holy (1 Pet 1:16). It does not mean to be sinless (1 Jn 1:10), but we are to be set apart for God’s service. We can be holy, because as His children (Jn 1:12), we are “the temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor 6:19). When God changed us (Col 3:10), we have been set aside for a holy purpose (Eph 4:22); to be used exclusively for His glory and honor in whatsoever we do (1 Cor 10:31). Not for our self-gratification, but to be used by our Saviour, Who gave us eternal life! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera