Last week, we looked at one of the most important names of God, which was יהוה צדקנו – The ever-exiting God is our righteousness. And we saw how that righteousness is not merely a separate thing that He gives to us, but that He Himself is our righteousness. A very important distinction that highlights His glory, His grace, and the amazing union that we have with Him today in Christ.
Now in this study today, which is part four of our series looking at the names of God, we are continuing this theme by looking at the name of God יהוה מקדשכם, the ever-existing God, who is your sanctification.
This goes hand-in-hand with His name that we studied last week. And as before, it highlights His glory and His grace. As as we see this today, we will be able to enjoy deeper levels of unity with Him as we rejoice in the fact that, yes, He is both our righteousness and our sanctification.
Well, it’s been quite a ride so far in this series; and we’ve been seeing some amazing things about God… some incredible truths that reveal His mercy, His generosity, His love and complete care for us. And the ride isn’t over yet!
Today as mentioned, we are continuing with the “theme” from last week, by looking at a name of God that is first found in Exodus 31:13. It is a name that God has revealed about Himself, that some people might be familiar with, but in practice, we often overlook and ignore. So let’s begin today by reading Exodus 31:13:
“Speak you also to the children of Israel, saying, Truly my sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD that does sanctify you.”
And take notice of the last part of the verse. Just as with the name that we studied last week, the name of God here – which is יהוה מקדשכם – does not actually mean “The Lord that sanctifies you” as the translation in English seems to suggest here. Rather, the name means, as I briefly mentioned in the opening: the ever-existing God who is our sanctification.
Now this may seem like nitpicking, or splitting hairs at first, but it’s actually a vital distinction for us to see, receive, and honestly rejoice about, because it tells us some information about God – information that we may have not yet known (or that we may have forgotten about).
The first thing that it shows us about God is in-fact that He does sanctify us. (Or more properly, that He is our sanctification); but never-the-less, the point remains that we are sanctified because of Him. And this is a big one! There are a great number of people who are still basically trying to sanctify themselves – in-fact, it is a fairly common theological idea that sanctification is a process; that sanctification is a goal to be worked towards and strived-for, rather than something which Christ has given you freely – and that’s the point.
The scriptures never actually say that sanctification is a process, anywhere. In-fact, the book of Hebrews makes a strong point that in-fact we are sanctified completely through the offering of Jesus Christ alone. And this is precisely what His name יהוה מקדשכם implies, that He (not ourselves) is our sanctification.
Now, we need to ask, how does this information alter our spiritual perspective? If we are to truly believe what God has said: that indeed He is our sanctification, should we not then simply receive that truth?
If we truly and honestly believe that He is our sanctification, our holiness, then we should stop trying to chase after it ourselves, and simply thank Him for His gift? We are we trying to become something that He has already made us? We are we trying to fight a battle that has already been won, and reach a goal that we have already been placed at?
Well it’s because most people simply do not know or recognize this truth – this truth that God revealed way back then in the Exodus to His people: that He is their sanctification, and indeed He is our sanctification as well.
Consider 1st Corinthians 1:30-31:
“But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
Notice the four items mentioned in verse 30: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Four things which we have seen in our studies on the names of God so far. All things which God Himself is to us.
It’s very interesting that these four particular things are mentioned, because these are the four things that most people try to get on their own through their own efforts. Specifically believers try to attain more wisdom so that they can try to perform more righteously. They try to live a more holy life and redeem themselves through their self-effort; and most of the people that I speak with are still running on that treadmill, not realizing that it is getting them nowhere. They are oblivious to what these verses are saying. Remember that no flesh may glory in His presence… and that’s why verse 31 continues on to say that He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
We glory in the goodness and mercy of God. We glory in what He has done and accomplished for us – not in what we have done for God; not in pour performance or obedience; but rather in His perfect performance and obedience.
The things that people try so hard to attain by their own performance and effort, can only truly be received through Christ Jesus, and Him alone – so that no flesh may glory in the presence of God.
It is only in Jesus Christ that you can receive these things. He is your wisdom, your righteousness, your sanctification (holiness) and your redemption.
You cannot work for, earn, sacrifice for, or merit these things in any way. They are priceless. And that doesn’t make them cheap! Jesus paid a very high price to give them to you – but He does give them freely… because He is generous, and merciful.
Friend, my wish for you today, my deep heartfelt desire, is for you to receive all of what Jesus paid for you to have. To not leave any part of His gift unclaimed. You do not need to strive for what He has given freely to you! Simply believe it and receive it. And I know that phrase has become somewhat of a cliché – which is why we also studied what the phrase “believe and receive” means, and how to actually receive what God says that we have (including healing).
Jesus wants you to have all of what He paid for you to have. That’s not being selfish, that’s actually believing in what He accomplished on the cross. Spiritually, mentally, and even physically.
So stop struggling, stop striving, and start receiving.
Be blessed.