Sanctification
The Bible says, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the
Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man
go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we
also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that
despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (KJV)
From Texas history comes the story of the conversion of Sam Houston. At one tine, the Texas
hero was called “The Old Drunk.” While he was governor of Tennessee, his wife left him. In despair he resigned
as governor and tried to escape his problems by going to live among Cherokee Indians. He stayed drunk much of the time. It
is said that the Indians, as they walked through the forest, would have to move him out of the path where he lay in a stupor.
Later, he went to Texas, where he became the great hero of the Texas revolution when he routed General
Santa Ana's Mexican army. Houston’s battle cry, “Remember the Alamo!” helped win independence for Texas.
He married the daughter of a Baptist preacher and later trusted Christ, but he still had some of his old tendencies. One day
as he rode along a trail, his horse stumbled. Houston spontaneously cursed, reverting to his old habit. Immediately he was
convicted of his sin. He got off his horse, knelt down on the trail, and cried out to God for forgiveness. Houston had already
received Christ, but God was teaching him to live in fellowship with Him moment by moment. And as soon as the Holy Spirit
made Sam Houston aware of his sin, he confessed it.
Sanctification is the process
by which we become more like our Redeemer each and every day in each and every way!
Daily Chronological Bible Reading: Leviticus 14-15
