Doctrine of Sanctification

Doctrine of Sanctification

Justification is the situation in which God has declared that we are righteous because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.

Sanctification is the process by which God actually makes us what he has declared us to be in Christ, righteous.

The importance of distinguishing Justification from Sanctification

GRACE-God does the work of sanctification

Philippians 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 1:6

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

DEATH AND LIFE

Put Sin to death, through the Spirit experience life!

Romans 8:7–9 ESV

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Romans 8:12–13 ESV

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Spirit continues his life-renewing work in our hearts

The Spirit blesses us with his ministry of the conviction of sin.

The Spirit illumines God’s word for us.

The Spirit empowers us to obey.

The Spirit carries our cries to the Father.

The Spirit reminds us that we are the adopted children of God.

The Spirit keeps us.

LAW

We understand what sin is.

A Sanctified life is in agreement with the Law.

1 John 5:2–3 ESV

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

PATIENCE

EVERYDAY LIFE

There is No Such Thing As Passive Christianity

Galatians 5:16 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22–25 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

The Church is Essential

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Eph 4:11–16.

1 Timothy 3:14–15 ESV

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Sanctification Gives Marriage, Parenting, and Friendship a New Model and Purpose

In truth, God’s ultimate goal for our relationships is that they would be powerful and effective tools in the death and life work of sanctification.

The Doctrine of Sanctification Promotes the Sanctity of Everything

Read from page 370.

Difficulty is a Primary Sanctification Tool

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jas 1:2–4.

Your Devotional Life is Not a Duty but a Tool

- A deeper knowledge of the nature and character of God

A clearer understanding of how God works. An ever-deepening love for and trust in him. A deeper willingness and commitment to surrender your life to him. A deeper knowledge of yourself as sinner, sufferer, and saint. A deeper understanding of the life you have been called to as a child of God. A deeper and more practical grasp of the truths of God’s word. A clearer and more practical understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A deeper awareness of the nature of sin and temptation. More regular patterns of conviction of sin, confession, and repentance. Being better prepared for spiritual warfare and Satan’s attacks. Becoming more and more thankful for God’s presence, power, and promises and the blessings of being loved by him.

The Doctrine of Sanctification is a Rebuke to Progressive Christianity.

Signs of Progressive Christianity

There is a lower view of the Bible Feelings are emphasized over facts. Essential Christian doctrines are open for reinterpretation Historic Terms are redefined. The heart of the gospel message shifts from sin and redemption to social justice.