Sanctification, Growth in Likeness to Christ.
After we have been called, converted, adopted into God's family, then we have a progressive work where God and man cooperate in sanctification.
Sanctification, the progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.
1. Sanctification starts when we are saved, where we cannot continue to sin as a habit or pattern in life. (we can no longer love our former sins).
On one hand, we will never be completely free from sin, as our sanctification is never completed.
On the other hand, we should never give up regarding particularly difficult sins in our lives. (I have always had a bad temper, and people will just have to put up with me the way I am.)
2. Sanctification increases throughout life. Hebrews 12:1, "Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely...and strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."
3. Sanctification is completed at death and when the Lord returns.
There is a teaching of perfectionism throughout church history, that we can achieve perfection in this life as followers of Christ. God does set a standard of perfection, but both new and old testament verses show that we will never be perfect, and the Lord's prayer, which is given as a daily prayer, includes, "forgive us our sins," thus showing that we will continue in sin throughout our life.
Often as Christians progress in their lives, the nature of the sins that persist are not so much outwardly noticeable sins, but rather sins of the heart, like selfishness, lack of faith in God's faithfulness in every situation.
God's role in sanctification: He wants us to become more like him, he equips us, works in us, Jesus is our example, the Holy Spirit helps us, as we are led by the Spirit.
Our role in sanctification: first, depend on God and secondly strive to obey God and take steps to increase our sanctification. We must not ONLY "let God and let God," as the popular phrase goes, but also, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,"
There is no shortcut to sanctification, but the Bible recommends the time honored examples of Bible reading, prayer, worship, witnessing, Christian fellowship, and self discipline or self control.
Sanctification is usually a corporate process in the New Testament, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the moe as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24).
Sanctification affects our intellect, knowledge, emotions, will, spirit, and physical bodies. It is not just a mental exercise, a feeling, an action, but all blended together.
Why should Christians strive in sanctification?
After we have been called, converted, adopted into God's family, then we have a progressive work where God and man cooperate in sanctification.
Sanctification, the progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.
1. Sanctification starts when we are saved, where we cannot continue to sin as a habit or pattern in life. (we can no longer love our former sins).
On one hand, we will never be completely free from sin, as our sanctification is never completed.
On the other hand, we should never give up regarding particularly difficult sins in our lives. (I have always had a bad temper, and people will just have to put up with me the way I am.)
2. Sanctification increases throughout life. Hebrews 12:1, "Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely...and strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."
3. Sanctification is completed at death and when the Lord returns.
There is a teaching of perfectionism throughout church history, that we can achieve perfection in this life as followers of Christ. God does set a standard of perfection, but both new and old testament verses show that we will never be perfect, and the Lord's prayer, which is given as a daily prayer, includes, "forgive us our sins," thus showing that we will continue in sin throughout our life.
Often as Christians progress in their lives, the nature of the sins that persist are not so much outwardly noticeable sins, but rather sins of the heart, like selfishness, lack of faith in God's faithfulness in every situation.
God's role in sanctification: He wants us to become more like him, he equips us, works in us, Jesus is our example, the Holy Spirit helps us, as we are led by the Spirit.
Our role in sanctification: first, depend on God and secondly strive to obey God and take steps to increase our sanctification. We must not ONLY "let God and let God," as the popular phrase goes, but also, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,"
There is no shortcut to sanctification, but the Bible recommends the time honored examples of Bible reading, prayer, worship, witnessing, Christian fellowship, and self discipline or self control.
Sanctification is usually a corporate process in the New Testament, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the moe as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24).
Sanctification affects our intellect, knowledge, emotions, will, spirit, and physical bodies. It is not just a mental exercise, a feeling, an action, but all blended together.
Why should Christians strive in sanctification?
- to please God and express our love to him
- to have a clear conscience before God
- to be a vessel for noble use and be more effective for kingdom work
- to see unbelievers come to Christ through observing our lives
- to recieve God's blessing on our lives and ministries
- to avoid God's displeasure and discipline
- to see greater heavenly rewards
- to have a deeper walk with God
- that even angels would glorify God for our obedience
- desire for peace, and joy in our lives
- and to obey God simply because his way is right and we delight in doing right.
There is a unique beauty and joy in sanctification.
Next week, baptism and filling with the Holy Spirit.
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