Called to be Set Apart - Pt 1

* Sanctification is integrally and intricately entwined with our salvation ... Hence, it is paramount that we first understand what the Bible declares about "Salvation." The Condition of Man: Due to the fall of Adam (Genesis 3) ... All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) ... such that there is none who are seeking after God on their own (Romans 3:10) but that all are seeking their own desires. The Love of God: But God loves His creation mankind (John 3:16) - whom He made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27) - and He desires for all of them to be delivered from the penalty of their sins and to come to the knowledge of that truth (1 Timothy 2:3-6). That is why He sent His Son to pay for the penalty of the sins of ALL mankind (1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 4:10,14; John 3:16). The Plan of God: Jesus (God the Son) came to earth, grew and was tempted in every way such as we are - yet without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). As the perfect man, He willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice on our behalf to not only pay the penalty of our sin (Hebrews 9:11-12; Acts 20:28; Titus 2:14), but to also destroy that very sin, on the altar of the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22-24; 1 John 3:5). But man, in his self-centered sin, is still unable on his own to grasp that great love and the sacrifice that was freely made on their behalf. So, the second part of God's plan was to draw men to Himself. In fact, God's word declares that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws Him (John 6:44). But, God desires all men to be saved, so Jesus also declared, "And if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." (John 12:32) That drawing is accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit - by convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:7-15) The Decision of Man: Man then has a decision to make when, or as, the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin, God's righteousness, and the pending judgment. Will they humble themselves and trust in God? Paul was asked plainly, "What must I do to be saved?" and he answered plainly, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." (Acts 16:30-31) We are told in Romans 10:9-10 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." The Sealing of God: When a man chooses, by faith, to trust in the work of God (John 6:28-29) he is sealed and set-apart by God (Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:2) unto His predestined purpose for those who would believe - to be conformed into the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:28-30), beginning the process of restoration - restoring us back to the image and likeness in which He originally created us. The Inheritance of God: When an individual is sealed by God, he is sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). Jesus declared that once an individual was in His, or His Father's hand, there was nothing that could take them out of it (John 10:27-30). Those who truly believe and trust in God for the salvation and are not trusting in their own righteousness, will become fruitful (Matthew 13:23; John 15:1-5) and hold the confession of their faith until the end (Hebrews 3:14). After the individual departs from this life, they are then given an inheritance in heaven which has been reserved for them from the time that they believed in God's plan and trusted in Him for their deliverance (1 Peter 1:3-5). That inheritance includes the completion of our transformation into the image and likeness of Christ (1 John 3:2-3) - this corruptible shall put on incorruption, this mortal shall put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:50-57)! * God's plan of salvation is a means by which "fallen man" can be reconciled and restored into the fellowship that he had with God in the garden before A