“Yahweh M’Kaddesh” – The Lord Who Sanctifies

“Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” –Leviticus 20:8 (ESV).

To be sanctified carries the idea of being set apart for a particular use, especially for a holy, sacred purpose.  God Himself is holy and that which He sanctifies or sets apart is holy.  Many places in the Psalms convey this idea of God’s holiness.  Here are two references:  “Let them praise Your great and awesome name.  Holy is He! (Ps. 99:3).  “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!” (Ps. 99:9).   God exists in the realm of the holy rather than the profane; all that pertains to Him is holy.  This includes time, space, things and people.  But specifically, people and places are set apart—sanctified—to God.  In the Old Testament, the priests were called out and set apart as sanctified.  And by choosing and calling the nation of Israel to be His special people, they were considered set apart and sanctified.  To Abraham, God gave the promise that his descendants would be “as the sands of the seashore” and would be a blessing to all nations. 

Sanctification is inherent in the salvation experience. Paul writes in I Corinthians 6:11:  “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”  “Washed” is a means of referring to cleansing from the guilt and power of sin and experiencing regeneration (renewal).  Leaving the old life of sin is symbolized by baptism.  This rite has no saving qualities but rather indicates death to the old life of sin before salvation, and arising to a new life characterized by walking in the way of Jesus Christ.  “Sanctified” means made holy and set apart for a special calling and purpose.  It also means an ongoing action in the Christian’s life—set apart from evil and dedicated to the Lord’s service.  And “justified” is a judicial term which means “to be declared righteous” or to have the penalty for offenses paid. 

In I Peter 1:14-16, the concept of “Yahweh M’Kaddesh, I am the Lord who sanctifies”is made clear for the Christian:  “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “you shall be holy for I am holy.’”

Thank God that His love touched your heart and in mercy He saved you.  Thank Him that He sanctified you—set you apart—for His own purpose and plan. Thank Him that with His help we can be as lights shining in the darkness of this world to reflect His glory and His holiness.