
Sanctification.
We are not put right with God by good works - as we have
seen (justification).
but EVERY justified person has a changed life, and grows in
godliness.
- this process is called ' sanctification' :-
God alone sanctifies - so you cannot take any credit for
it.
and yet you are active and responsible in the process.
- Sanctification begins with an
inward change.
- When God saved you, the Holy Spirit entered you. Romans 8
vs 9.
- He renewed you inwardly. Titus 3 vs 5
- He gave you a new heart - a heart which wants to obey God. Ezek 11 vs 19-20.
- You are a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come. 2 Cor 5 vs 17, Gal 6 vs 15.
- You have received a new nature. 2 Pet 1 vs 4, Eph 4 vs 24, Col 3 vs 10.
- your whole nature was made new in a moment.
- yet it is not made perfect or complete in a moment.
- the new born babe must grow.
- the new life must assert itself more and more - sin is still in your
'members' ( the
manager and the factory).
- Sanctification is a process
- believers are not sinless - yet they are at war with sin.
Rom 7 vs 7-25
- sanctification is thus a humbling process
- they endeavour continually to bring holiness to completeness. 2 Cor 7 vs 1.
- this progressive work extends to every part of the personality. 1 Thess 5 vs 23.
- the goal is always likeness to Christ. Rom 8 vs 29. Phil 1 vs 9-11.
- but the entire sanctification will not be are until ours bodies are changed into the
likeness of Christ's glorious body. Phil 3 vs 21, 1 John 3 vs 2, Rom 7 vs 24.
- Sanctification is our work, yet
God's (synergistic)
- to us comes the call to be holy, the commands to throw
off sinful ways, and the directions to be like Christ.
- see 1 Thess 4 vs 3,7. 1 Pet 1 vs 16. Eph 4 vs 17-5 vs 21. 1 Cor 11 vs 1. Phil 2 vs 5.
- there is something for US to do!
- WE must work !!
- from God comes the promise that He Himself is at work in us, and that He will strengthen
and assist us.
- see Phil 2 vs 13, Rom 8 vs 29, 2 Cor 3 vs 18, 4 vs 16, 1 Peter 1 vs 2.
- Sanctification is brought about,
chiefly, by God's word.
- it is declared to be God's chosen instrument. Ps 119 vs
9, John 17 vs 17, 2 Tim 3 vs 16-17.
- this is why Christ has given to His church men who will enable the people of God to be
instructed in His word Eph 4 vs 11-16, 1 Tim 5 vs 17.
- so nothing is more important to us in our Christian lives than the proper hearing of the
word of God. Luke 8 vs 18.
- THAT is our part. God also brings into our lives experiences which are not pleasant at
the time, but which lead to greater sanctification. Hebrews 12 vs 10-11.
Sanctification is
the supreme test that our conversion is genuine, and without growing holiness nobody will
see the lord. Hebrews 12 vs 14