• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Sanctified..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:14

AN IMPORTANT INSIGHT

Paul gave an important insight as to why he advised strongly that divorce should not be contemplated and pursued as a good option!

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband;
otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.”
1 Corinthians 7:14

1. What is “sanctification?”

a) It is a special work of the Holy Spirit.

b) In this work, the following things are done:

i) The believer is set apart for the Lord.

ii) He is cleansed along the way.

iii) He is made holy (this is a process).

iv) This is a profound work of the Spirit of God.

v) The Lord pours forth His blessing on the believer who is being sanctified.

2. Sanctification of the spouse who is not a believer

a) This is not salvation.

b) The blessings that God pours out would also fall upon the family.

c) These blessings are not denied the non-believing spouse.

d) This is a glorious expression of the profound mercy of God.

e) Thus, the non-believing is described as “sanctified” for he or she comes under the canopy of sanctification of the believer.

3. The children

a) The children are considered “holy”.

i) Not in themselves.

ii) But under the canopy of sanctification and blessing.

b) Otherwise they would be considered “unclean”.

i) This is another expression of the Lord’s great mercy.

ii) This sanctification and its blessings are given to all in the family.

iii) This however, should not be misunderstood, as an endorsement to enter into the marriage covenant with a non-believer!