Sanctified and Kept by God (part 2)

INTRODUCTION

Sanctified review:

The God of peace

salvific peace

comforting peace

functional peace

Sanctifies you completely

sanctification = our spiritual development

“to be made holy; set apart”

decreasing attachment and frequency of sin increasing attachment and frequency of holiness

The Thoroughness Of Sanctification

and may your whole spirit and soul and body

The three words utilized in this phrase are words that have sparked significant debate over the years, particularly pertaining to the usage of spirit and soul.

Some believe Paul was identifying two different distinct categories of the immaterial man. Those parts, along with the body, make man a three-part being (trichotomists)

Others believe spirit and soul are interchangeable words denoting man’s indivisible inner nature. Therefore, man is viewed as a two-part being, composed simply of a nonmaterial nature (spirit and soul) and material nature (body), (dichotomists)

Much time could be given to understanding the arguments of this debate, but the key take away is this: there are material and immaterial aspects to man’s existence which must be accounted for in the sanctification process.

Sanctification is a whole man process, and not just one or the other.

It is this reality that gets misunderstood, or lost altogether, when Christians talk about counseling and the insufficient nature of the secular therapeutic.

One of the biggest issues with modern day psychology and psychiatry is that they attempt to solve immaterial problems of man utilizing material means

While there may be legitimate need for medicine to address particular body/organ issues as revealed through medical testing, that medication does not address the immaterial need of man that can only be addressed by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul clearly states that our bodies and our minds are to be subject to the Lord, for His use.

1 Corinthians 6:20 LSB

For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

We glorify God in our body by being good stewards of what He has given to us.

We are to be disciplined to not engage in loose living.

Sexual immorality

Drug use

Gluttony

These things show an undisciplined person who is not careful with the very vessel that houses the immaterial nature that they possess.

1 Corinthians 6:19 LSB

Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

The responsibility of the believer is made clearer in that the care of their own physical well-being is an act of service to the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Of course, as Romans 12:2 has already revealed, we do not merely serve God in our body, but through our mind.

This is the immaterial piece

This is the part that we actively improve upon as we read and memorize Scripture, attend Bible studies and Sunday school, and sit under text driven/expository preaching.

The “spiritual disciplines,” as we refer to them, are what strengthens and matures the inner man

Bringing this point to a close, Paul reminds believers that every area of life belongs to God (spirit and soul and body).

God is not interested in partial surrender.

Areas we often compartmentalize—work, family, entertainment, finances, speech, and habits—are all part of His sanctifying work.

The Goal Of Sanctification

be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

God's goal is that believers become increasingly like Christ until the day they stand before Him.

Romans 8:29 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

be kept blameless shows that it is a work that only God can accomplish.

This is the great confidence we have with the Holy Spirit’s presence: we are capable of being kept blameless in Christ

Galatians 5:16 ESV

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

Galatians 5:22–23 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.

Romans 13:14 ESV

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

We have a requirement from God to cast off our old sinful habits and corrupt thinking, and to be equipped with the new desires He has given to us.

Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV

put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Every step of growth in holiness is in preparation for the day when Jesus returns.

Perfection is not achieved in this life, but the direction of the Christian life is toward Christlikeness.

True success is not measured by accomplishments, but by growing conformity to Christ.

Holiness is not optional; it is God's purpose for every believer, in every area of life.

The hope of Christ's return should motivate us to faithful living, today.

The Guarantee Of Sanctification

He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it

The greatest encouragement for the Christian is that sanctification ultimately depends upon God's faithfulness, not our strength.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

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.

This verse, in itself, shows that we will not arrive to complete sanctification until the day we stand before Christ.

But God is working

And will continue to do so

Do you think you are unfit for such attention? Have you failed in such a way that you are sure God will give up on you?

He is faithful!

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

And because God is faithful, He will not give up on you.

The God who calls sinners to salvation also commits Himself to completing His work in them.

We are called to show the work He is doing through the life we live.

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

We cooperate with God's work, but the confidence of our perseverance rests in Him.

What God begins, He finishes.

If you feel like your growth has stalled, trust God's faithfulness.

When you stumble, remember God has not abandoned His work.

Our assurance rests not in our performance but in God's promises.

Lamentations 3:22–24 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

PRAYER

We thank You for Your Word and for the reminder that Your desire is to sanctify us completely. We confess that there are often areas of our lives that we try to hold back from Your rule—our thoughts, our habits, our priorities, and our desires. Yet You have made it clear that every part of who we are belongs to You. Lord, continue Your work in us. Sanctify our minds that we may think according to Your truth. Sanctify our hearts that we may love what You love and hate what You hate. Sanctify our bodies that we may honor You in the way we live. Help us to remember that we are not our own, but have been bought with a price through the blood of Christ. Father, guard us from the temptation to seek merely outward change while neglecting the inner man. Through Your Spirit and through Your Word, renew us day by day. Give us a greater hunger for Scripture, a greater desire for holiness, and a greater dependence upon Christ. As we look forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to live with eternity in view. May we be diligent to put off sinful practices and to put on Christlikeness. May our growth in holiness be evident in our homes, our relationships, our speech, and our daily conduct. And Lord, we thank You for the comfort of Your faithfulness. When we see our weaknesses and failures, remind us that our hope rests not in our strength, but in Your promises. You are faithful. You have called us, You are working in us, and You will complete the work You have begun. May we leave here not merely informed, but transformed, for the glory of Christ. In His name we pray, Amen