Joy in God-Produced Sanctification: Philippians 2:12-13

What is sanctification?

We begin this morning’s sermon by asking a question that every child of God should, at some point in their lives, ask. The question is, “What is sanctification?”

Now, for those who have grown up in church the word is familiar. It is commonly found in the Bible (Rom. 6:19, 1 Thess. 4:3, 2 Thess. 2:13, and 1 Pet. 1:2, to name a few). I would venture to guess that the majority of Christians would have a good, working knowledge of what the word means and what it means for our lives.

With that said, I would also willingly declare that many individual Christians (and churches) would struggle to describe sanctification strictly or to elaborate on it as it relates to our daily lives.

Our purpose this morning is not to engage in an academic lecture. We are hear to receive the Word of God. With that said, the Word of God is doctrinal in nature, and when it comes up so directly in our Scripture we must address it accordingly.

Sanctification is a key part of what it means to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures present sanctification as such an inherent aspect of a disciple of Christ that to not have sanctification means that one does not have Christ.

Let me state it another way. If you are not being sanctified, you are not a Christian. This in no way implies that we will be perfect. Please do not infer that unless you are free from all flaws that you are not a Christian. There have been, are, and will be many sins in the lives of God’s children.

With that said, we must realize that without growth in holiness, we are without Christ. It is important at this point to turn to the Baptist Catechism. By the way, the Church has historically used catechisms (q and a format) that helps us learn doctrines and truths of Scripture. As such, I recommend the Baptist Catechism!

Q. 38: What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace,* whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God,# and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.^ The Baptist Catechism

*2 Thess. 2:13 #Eph. 4:23,24 ^Rom. 4:4, 6

We learn several truths that I think will be helpful to keep in our minds as we work through this passage of Scripture.

First, we see that sanctification is the work of God’s free grace. That is, He is not obligated to do so, but freely and graciously works in our lives. It is also His work, eliminating any dependence upon ourselves. This is true, and one that I believe many Christians in general struggle to grasp.

We believe we are saved by grace, but far too often we think our sanctification relies on us.

A second aspect that we must keep in mind is the goal of sanctification: likeness to God. Interestingly, the Catechism states “whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God.” Scripture teaches that we are image bearers (see, for example, James 3:9). We were created in God’s image, after all (Ge. 1:26). However, after the fall we follow Adam’s image (Gen. 5:3).

We have changed, and though we still bear the image of God, it has been marred by sin. The Catechism reminds us that we, in sanctification, are being renewed in the whole man after the image of God.

A final aspect that we must note before diving into our present passage is that sanctification is progressive. It is a work in progress. That is, we have not arrived. We are growing in holiness.

Perhaps an analogy will be helpful, particularly in our relationships with each other in the church and the broader body of Christ. Since sanctification is progressive, we need to keep that in mind when people are not as Christ-like as they should (and can) be.

This should help us be patient with one another. We are works in progress, and as such we should demonstrate patience with ourselves and with other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Okay, we have laid the foundation of what sanctification is, and with this understanding we now turn our attention to the present passage.

The Philippians’ Sanctification Demonstrated- Philippians 2:12

Paul loved the Philippian church. He has repeatedly shown this (see 1:3-11, 3:1, 4:1). Paul’s love for the church was strengthened by the Philippians’ real faith. They lived differently because they were changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We see the progressive nature of sanctification even toward the end of chapter 1, verse 27 when Paul wrote that believers should walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. The Philippians were doing this, and it was a source of joy and encouragement to Paul’s heart.

The Philippians demonstrated they were saved through their sanctification. Paul will go on to anchor their sanctification in and through the work of God (see verse 13), but the Philippians were involved in their sanctification.

It is not that we alone are responsible for our growth in Christlikeness. However, we are responsible to grow in Christlikeness.

It is as the London Baptist Confession of Faith summarizes, “They who are united to Christ…are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them...” destroy the desires of the flesh and growing in holiness.

Their sanctification was demonstrated, but what Paul is encouraging them to do is to obey when he is not present. This is a wonderful testimony both to their character and Paul’s hope.

Sanctification is an aspect of the Christian life that is not tied only to attending church. It is about one’s life when not present with the pastors/elders, outside the church. What one does with one’s private life is a matter of sanctification. And Paul knew that the Philippians, having demonstrated to the apostle that they were true believers, would follow his instructions in private.

This leads us naturally to the expectation Paul had.

Paul’s expectation Discussed- Philippians 2:12

Paul’s expectation revolves around his command, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Now, this phrase is deep, and if we are not careful we can easily swing into false teaching. We need to take our time and work through this statement.

The Expectation Defined— work out your salvation

The words work out is an interesting word that encompasses both individual salvation and corporate expression. We tend to view the Christian faith through highly individualistic eyes. All one needs to do is listen to a majority of sermons, of songs, or browse popular Christian books to see this played out.

While the Christian faith is individualistic (you must be born again, individual), it is not only individualistic. God created the Church made up of many members. It is corporate, then, not in a business-sense, but in a collective sense.

There are two fronts on which the Philippians were exhorted to work out their salvation: individual and corporate. In other words, Paul is commanded these believers (and us by extension) to flesh out our salvation, to live out our salvation, individually and corporately.

The salvation offered by God through Jesus Christ is a holistic salvation. It encompasses the individual and the group, it spans the eons of time and eventually is manifested in the kingdom of God in the new heavens and new earth. Thus, the Christian is and should be concerned with how we live.

In this context, Paul is addressing our humble unity of which we spoke of last Sunday. Humble unity is, by definition, a matter of individuals together. That is, as we grow in Christ, we will live differently with one another. Jesus gives a whole host of items that should cause Christians to live differently in Matthew chapters 5-7.

When we live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, we live differently individually and corporately. We grow into the image of God, as the Baptist Catechism reminds us, individually and corporately.

This is a command, by the way. It is not optional. When my dad told me to take out the trash, it was not open for discussion. I could not say, “Dad, I had a rough day at being a kid. I spent several hours today playing, and I am tired. I will take it out later.” If I did, I would be going out with the trash and a little extra!

Paul is expecting the Philippian believers (and us) to obey this command. We are to work out our salvation, individually and collectively, to live out the truths of the gospel, contextually through humble unity, ultimately through the kingdom lifestyle.

This expectation is to work out our salvation, to live out the life-changing Gospel. But there is a method to accomplish this.

The Expectation’s Method— with fear and trembling

We are expected to live out our salvation, but we are to do this with fear and trembling. Now, in the midst of a book that focuses on joy it is almost contrary to think of fear and trembling.

But the Scriptures teach us that fear and trembling (reverential fear) brings joy. One book in particular offers us a remarkable demonstration of this: the book of Proverbs. One of the key verses, Proverbs 1:7, states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The fear, the reverential and growing understanding of who God is and who we are results in joy. The book of Proverbs elaborates on this. It works out the fear of the LORD, if you will.

There should be a healthy fear of God and of sin in the sanctified believer’s life. We should grow in our understanding of the evilness of sin and the perfection of God’s holiness. A similar thought is shared by James in James 4:7-10.

There are many ways that we could dissect this. However, for the sake of time, we must approach our salvation and the outworking of our salvation with fear and trembling, fear of God and trembling of displeasing Him.

God’s involvement Described- Philippians 2:13

Now we see what I mentioned earlier about God’s part in our sanctification. The Baptist Catechism asks, “What is sanctification?” To which this answer is given, “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace.”

It is God, Paul tells us here in Philippians, that works in us. It is God’s work in our lives, and it is a unique and irreconcilable truth of Scripture. God works in our sanctification. Our response is to grow in sanctification (i.e., work out our salvation). The wonderful truth of Scripture, of this passage, is that God works in us on two fronts.

God’s involvement enables our wills—both to will

God is working in us. He is the enabler of our wills. This is demonstrated in our salvation. We, if left to our own will, would not chose God. Romans 3:11, “No one seeks for God.”

He drew our hearts to Himself. It is the Father who saves us. Consider the words of the London Baptist Confession’s summary, “…effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state o sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ…[they] being made willing by His grace.”

We are saved by God’s grace. We believe by God’s grace. It is of God’s good grace by which we are saved. This dispels any semblance of self-worth and self-achievement. Again, we could read Ephesians 2:1-10 to see this wonderful truth of the Gospel.

John tells us a very similar truth in John 1:12-13.

We are dealing with sanctification, and that is the thought that must be maintained in this section. But just as we are only saved by God’s grace, we are only sanctified by God’s grace.

God works in us to change our will. It is a gradual process, varying with person to person. Consider one example in Peter and Paul. Peter’s sanctification is somewhere slow and gradual (as demonstrated in the Gospels and the earlier chapters of the book of Acts). Paul, on the other hand, becomes an incredible missionary for the Lord Jesus and a remarkable servant of God.

The same is observed in our own congregation. We grow at different speeds and in different depths, but our growth (as discussed in will here in this passage) is the result of the work of God.

God’s involvement enables our actions—to do

God gives us the power to do what we need to grow into His image (remember the question regarding sanctification). God enables us to do this, it is not our own power.

Jesus describes it with this beautiful word picture, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart form me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

When we consider our responsibility, indeed, our duty, to grow into the image of Christ, we must remember the biblical truth that God is the one who provides the power to do what God has called us to do.

Before ending our time in this passage, I want to offer a few connections in this letter we have examined so far, and one that I hope seals what the apostle is teaching here.

1:6, “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.”

1:11, “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

1:29, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”

God’s involvement in redemptive history

The term redemptive history is a term that is used to describe God’s plan to redeem His people through the sacrifice of His Son, culminating in the renewal of creation and the glorification of His people, as well as the establishment of the Son’s kingdom.

It spans the entire Bible, and beginning with the creation in Genesis chapter one, on through to the end of everything we know of and the new creation presented in chapters 21-22 of the book of Revelation.

This letter, along with the rest of Scripture, reminds us that God is the One who empowers us to will and to do His good pleasure. But this comes with a purpose. It is for his good pleasure. This is the term that refers to God’s redemptive plan.

This is an idea found in passages like Ephesians 1:5 and 9 and Matthew 11:25-26. What Paul is teaching us here is that our sanctification, the will and energy which stems from the power of God, is purposeful. This is no different than what Paul tells us in Romans 8:28-29.

Conclusion

How then do we apply this sermon? It is extremely practical, and there are a multitude of ways in which we can experience joy in God-produced sanctification.

Perhaps the first place we should start is our own relationship to God. If you have never been saved, you have never confessed your sins and believed the Gospel, then you cannot be sanctified. It is impossible. You are not, to borrow Paul’s phrase from 2:1, in Christ. The first step in your life should be to confess your sins, repent (turn around), and place your life and soul into the arms of Jesus Christ.

If you are a Christian, then we must begin by asking the same question, How is your relationship with God? It is unfortunate, but I have experienced many Christians who have not grown in their walk with God. They have failed to practice God-produced sanctification, and as a result they find themselves miserable. They have no joy, no peace, no contentment.

Repentance is the first step. Confess to the Lord your failure to grow. If you do not how, then ask (James 1:5-6). I would love an opportunity to help you grow in your likeness to Christ.

Now, there are general things I can offer to help you grow, but keep in mind these must be tailored to you and your personality, time, and abilities. I would recommend you engage in the spiritual disciplines.

That term may be unfamiliar with you, but I recommend Don Whitney’s book The Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life. In that book he walks through the various means by which Christians can grow in their knowledge and likeness to Jesus Christ. All of which, by the way, should be done in the context of a church.

With all of that said, let me give you two suggestions.

Commit to one spiritual discipline at a time while not neglecting others. (e.g., Bible reading and prayer)

Engage in that discipline for at least a month before adding anymore (this will allow time for adjustment and habit)