Living by the Spirit: A Journey of Sanctification

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound implications of living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. The essence of our journey as Christians is not merely about avoiding sin but actively engaging in the process of sanctification. This involves a conscious decision to mortify the deeds of the body, a task that requires our active participation through the Spirit. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that living after the flesh grieves the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. This internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit is a central theme, highlighting the necessity of aligning our lives with the Spirit's guidance.

A Christian is someone who has come to the realization of their sinful nature and the futility of relying on their own righteousness. This awareness leads to a profound understanding of the grace and mercy extended by God through Jesus Christ. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and it is through this belief that we are transformed and given a new life. As believers, we are called to live in a manner consistent with this new identity, rejecting the old ways of the flesh that once enslaved us.

Paul's argument is not about waiting for a mystical experience or handing over our struggles to the Risen Lord in a passive manner. Instead, it is a reasoned appeal to our understanding, urging us to take deliberate action. The process of sanctification is a continuous journey, requiring us to actively resist the temptations of the flesh and pursue righteousness. This is not a call to self-reliance but an invitation to cooperate with the Spirit's work within us.

The New Testament consistently teaches that sanctification involves our active participation. It is not about achieving perfection through our efforts but about living out the reality of our new life in Christ. This involves a daily commitment to align our actions with our beliefs, recognizing that the Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh. As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we are motivated to live lives that reflect His holiness and love.

Key Takeaways:

- Living according to the Spirit requires us to actively mortify the deeds of the body. This is not a passive process but a deliberate action that aligns with the Spirit's work within us. The conflict between the flesh and the Spirit is a reminder of the ongoing battle we face as believers. [22:13]

- A Christian is someone who has recognized their sinful nature and the futility of self-righteousness. This realization leads to a profound appreciation of God's grace and the transformative power of the gospel. Our new identity in Christ calls us to live in a manner consistent with this truth. [23:14]

- The process of sanctification is not about waiting for a mystical experience or passively handing over our struggles. It is a reasoned appeal to our understanding, urging us to take deliberate action in cooperation with the Spirit. [30:19]

- The New Testament consistently teaches that sanctification involves our active participation. This is not about achieving perfection through our efforts but about living out the reality of our new life in Christ. Our actions should reflect our beliefs, empowered by the Spirit. [38:44]

- As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we are motivated to live lives that reflect His holiness and love. This involves a daily commitment to align our actions with our beliefs, recognizing that the Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh. [57:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:08] - The Spirit vs. The Flesh
- [21:12] - The Call to Mortify the Flesh
- [22:30] - Understanding Mortification
- [23:14] - Realization of Sin
- [25:39] - The Power of the Gospel
- [27:04] - New Life in Christ
- [28:44] - Inconsistency of Living in the Flesh
- [30:19] - Active Participation in Sanctification
- [32:17] - Means and Ends in Sanctification
- [34:36] - Assurance and Eternal Life
- [36:21] - General Statements on Living
- [38:44] - The Way of Sanctification
- [41:14] - Practical Application in Epistles
- [57:26] - Living in Holiness and Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:12-13 - "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
2. Galatians 5:16-17 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
3. Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:12-13, what is the obligation of believers, and what are the consequences of living according to the flesh versus the Spirit?
2. In Galatians 5:16-17, what is the relationship between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit, and how does this affect a believer's actions?
3. How does Philippians 2:12-13 describe the process of working out one's salvation, and what role does God play in this process?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of sanctification and the believer's role in it? [30:19]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:16-17, manifest in a believer's daily life?
2. What does it mean to "mortify the deeds of the body" in the context of Romans 8:12-13, and how is this process empowered by the Spirit? [22:13]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that sanctification is a cooperative process between the believer and the Holy Spirit? [30:19]
4. How does the understanding of God's grace, as mentioned in the sermon, motivate believers to live lives that reflect His holiness and love? [57:26]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a specific area of your life where you feel the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. What steps can you take this week to align more closely with the Spirit's guidance?
2. Consider a habit or behavior that you need to "mortify" in your life. What practical actions can you take to begin this process, and how can you rely on the Spirit for strength? [22:13]
3. How can you actively participate in your sanctification journey, and what role does community play in supporting you in this process? [30:19]
4. Identify a moment in your life when you experienced a profound understanding of God's grace. How did this realization impact your actions and decisions?
5. Think of a specific way you can demonstrate God's holiness and love in your interactions with others this week. What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them?
6. How can you cultivate a daily commitment to align your actions with your beliefs, as encouraged in the sermon? What specific practices or routines can help you in this endeavor? [57:26]
7. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own righteousness rather than God's grace. How can you shift your perspective to embrace the transformative power of the gospel in your life? [23:14]

Devotional

Day 1: Mortifying the Deeds of the Body
Living according to the Spirit requires us to actively mortify the deeds of the body. This is not a passive process but a deliberate action that aligns with the Spirit's work within us. The conflict between the flesh and the Spirit is a reminder of the ongoing battle we face as believers. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that living after the flesh grieves the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. This internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit is a central theme, highlighting the necessity of aligning our lives with the Spirit's guidance. As Christians, we are called to engage in the process of sanctification, which involves a conscious decision to mortify the deeds of the body, a task that requires our active participation through the Spirit. [22:13]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: Identify one specific area in your life where the desires of the flesh are strong. How can you actively work with the Spirit to mortify these deeds today?


Day 2: Recognizing Our Sinful Nature
A Christian is someone who has recognized their sinful nature and the futility of self-righteousness. This realization leads to a profound appreciation of God's grace and the transformative power of the gospel. Our new identity in Christ calls us to live in a manner consistent with this truth. Understanding our sinful nature is the first step towards embracing the grace and mercy extended by God through Jesus Christ. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and it is through this belief that we are transformed and given a new life. As believers, we are called to reject the old ways of the flesh that once enslaved us and live in a manner consistent with our new identity in Christ. [23:14]

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV): "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you relied on your own righteousness. How did that experience highlight your need for God's grace?


Day 3: Active Participation in Sanctification
The process of sanctification is not about waiting for a mystical experience or passively handing over our struggles. It is a reasoned appeal to our understanding, urging us to take deliberate action in cooperation with the Spirit. Sanctification involves our active participation, and it is not about achieving perfection through our efforts but about living out the reality of our new life in Christ. This involves a daily commitment to align our actions with our beliefs, recognizing that the Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh. As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we are motivated to live lives that reflect His holiness and love. [30:19]

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."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to actively participate in your sanctification process?


Day 4: Living Out Our New Life in Christ
The New Testament consistently teaches that sanctification involves our active participation. This is not about achieving perfection through our efforts but about living out the reality of our new life in Christ. Our actions should reflect our beliefs, empowered by the Spirit. As believers, we are called to live in a manner consistent with our new identity in Christ, rejecting the old ways of the flesh that once enslaved us. This involves a daily commitment to align our actions with our beliefs, recognizing that the Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh. [38:44]

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your daily actions reflect your new identity in Christ?


Day 5: Reflecting God's Holiness and Love
As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we are motivated to live lives that reflect His holiness and love. This involves a daily commitment to align our actions with our beliefs, recognizing that the Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh. The journey of sanctification is a continuous one, requiring us to actively resist the temptations of the flesh and pursue righteousness. This is not a call to self-reliance but an invitation to cooperate with the Spirit's work within us. As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we are motivated to live lives that reflect His holiness and love. [57:26]

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: How can you intentionally reflect God's holiness and love in your interactions with others today?

Quotes



To live after the flesh is to grieve the spirit who dwells in us. You notice, you remember how he's gone on repeating that you are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. [00:20:02]

The positive is this: that not only must we not live after the flesh in that way for the reasons given, but positively we must actively mortify the deeds of the body. Now, I'm not going into that in detail this evening. I'm keeping that back because I'm anxious to establish this big general principle first. [00:22:00]

What is a Christian? Well, the obvious basic thing about a Christian is this: he's a man who's come to a realization that he was a sinner. He may have thought that he was a good fellow, everything all right, living a good clean moral life, doing good. Well, there's no trouble at all. [00:23:06]

The Christian is a man who believes that and realizes that you can't be a Christian without believing that. But then, of course, he goes on to the positive thing. He realizes what God has done for him in spite of death. That's the gospel. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. [00:25:28]

Paul, if you believe that and that's what you say you believe as a Christian, how can you possibly go on living after the flesh? It was living after the flesh that brought you into this terrible state. It was because Adam fell and became a man in the flesh and passed it on to all his progeny. [00:27:50]

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not of the flesh to live after the flesh. Now, if you really believe what you say, if you mean what you say, if you're honest, well, you'll say I want to have nothing to do with that old life and therefore I will mortify the deeds of the body. [00:28:48]

I've got to do it through the spirit, of course, but I've got to do it. If you, through the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. I'm still here. I've still got to do it. I haven't handed it all over. I've got to go on mortifying. [00:40:07]

The Apostle here is teaching quite plainly and clearly that the way of sanctification is the way of realizing the truth about ourselves as Christians and then our putting it into practice. It is not handing it over to the Risen Lord. It is not receiving something in a critical experience. [00:38:44]

The Apostle Paul teaches us about sanctification in Romans 8:12 and 13. He teaches everywhere else. So does James, so does John, so does Peter, so does whoever wrote the epistle to the Hebrews. It is the universal teaching of the whole of the New Testament scripture. [00:59:14]

The New Testament consistently teaches that sanctification involves our active participation. This is not about achieving perfection through our efforts but about living out the reality of our new life in Christ. Our actions should reflect our beliefs, empowered by the Spirit. [00:38:44]

As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we are motivated to live lives that reflect His holiness and love. This involves a daily commitment to align our actions with our beliefs, recognizing that the Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh. [00:57:26]

The process of sanctification is not about waiting for a mystical experience or passively handing over our struggles. It is a reasoned appeal to our understanding, urging us to take deliberate action in cooperation with the Spirit. [00:30:19]

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Transcript
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