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