August 16, 2023 — Set Apart for What?

“The other day,” Stan commented one morning while we were enjoying breakfast, “I was talking with a neighbor who has recently come to faith.”

“What were you talking about?” I asked.

“How coming to faith is just the beginning,” Stan replied.

“Beginning of what?”

“Everything,” Stan replied with a smile. “It’s the beginning of why we are here. It’s the beginning of working out the salvation that has been worked in by our acceptance of it. It’s also the beginning of sanctification, or of being set apart.”

“Set apart for what?” I asked.

“Set apart for God and for whatever He has for us to be and to do in being a part of what He’s doing for His kingdom.”

“Set apart to be a part,” I commented. “That seems easy enough to remember!”

“Yeah,” Stan replied. “And I need all the help I can get in remembering what God has for me to remember!”

“So,” I said, “if we are to be set apart for God so we can be a part of what He’s doing, what’s that look like?”

“Whatever,”Stan replied. “We are to be a part of whatever God is doing for His kingdom; whatever He has for us to do in helping the lost world come to redemption.”

“Whatever,” I commented. “That, too, seems like it would be easy to remember!

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Bible verses to consider:

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13.

Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word in truth. John 17:17.

And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:19.

And this is eternal life, the they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your free and gracious provision of life eternally with you. Thank you, too, for the truth that the eternal life you have provided is not just for when my time here is completed, but that it involves knowing you and being a part of your kingdom purposes on this side of eternity. I confess that too often I’m not set apart for your purposes, but I set myself apart for myself. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me to follow every step of your lead in being set apart so I can be a part of whatever you have for me to be and to do. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s provision of life eternally with Him so you can be set apart for whatever He has for you? If no, why do you want to remain separated from Him for all of eternity? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with being set apart so you can be a part of whatever He has for you to be and to do for Him and His kingdom? If you sense the need for change in any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?