Point 1 : Do as people do in order to influence them and win them for Christ but at the same time keep the godly standards
1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I become as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Paul worked hard to reach the lost and would try to find common ground with them and do things as they did in order to be able to witness to them. However, he kept the godly standard and in this way he influenced others, but they didn't influence him.
Jesus also sat with sinners, visited sinners in their homes and impacted their lives. But Jesus standard remained unchanged.
Point 2: Religion does not equal holiness.
1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23 (Our body and spirit are God's because He paid a price for us, so we should set ourselves apart to glorify Him)
We need to keep ourselves free from the things of this world.The church at Corinth was very carnal and the people were involved in doing things that were very sinful and ungodly. The standards of today's world are very ungodly too.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves.......... rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power, And from such people turn away.
This is a warning to watch out for religious godliness. Some times people go through religious motions and look 'holy' in what they are doing, however its empty and the power of Christ working in their lives is not there. Some people may be just so busy with false gods and idols that they have from people or things in this world. Some say we are our own god.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 6, Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1:13-16
God wants true godliness. A people who are truely set apart for Him to work in their lives by His Holy Spirit.
Point 3: Sanctification is a definite yet progressive work of grace, starting at the time of regeneration and continuing until we are with Jesus.
Hebrews 13:12
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
Point 4: We were chosen for salvation, but only when we allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to walk in the truth and continue to be sanctified, then our name remains in the book of life.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
We are made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives enabling us to walk in the truth. But we have to make the decision and commit to believing the truth for this work of sanctification to take place.
Point 5: The Holy Spirit is preparing the Church to be what God wants it to be - ready for Jesus return
1 Peter 1:1-2
Ephesians 5:25-27
God wants to sanctify and cleanse the church. When Jesus comes back for the church, He wants to present it to Himself, 'a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish'.
John 17:17 (Jesus praying for the believers - 'sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth'.)
The standard for the church is very high. But God has sent His Holy Spirit to prepare it for Himself. The importance of sanctification does not diminish over time, but everyone in the church must continue to follow the biblical standard of holiness and allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify them daily.
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