Living Free: Justification, Sanctification, and Identity in Christ
Summary
The sermon explores the theological concepts of justification, sanctification, and the believer's identity in Christ. Justification is described as being free from the penalty of sin, not through good works, religion, or keeping the law, but as if one has never sinned. Sanctification is presented as an ongoing process that begins with justification and continues until glorification, involving living a life free from sin by following Jesus. The influence of Adam is acknowledged as still present in believers, raising the question of how to break the power of sin.
The speaker delves into the distinction between positional truth, what God says about our Christian life, and experiential truth, when we begin to live as God sees us. Believers are encouraged to act on God's Word and to recognize that they have died to sin and should not continue to deliberately sin. The Message translation is cited to emphasize that sin should be a dead language to believers, no longer affecting them, as they are placed in Christ.
An illustration is used to explain the concept of being dead to sin: a seminary professor instructs students to speak to a buried person, highlighting that the dead do not respond to praise or insults, just as believers should not respond to sin. Romans 6 and Ephesians 4 are referenced to further explain the concept of being identified with Christ and putting off the old self.
The sermon also addresses the role of the Holy Spirit in rendering sin powerless in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist sin and temptation, and while perfection is not claimed, the ability to choose not to sin is emphasized. The resurrection of Christ is presented as the guarantee of ultimate victory over sin and death.
Finally, the concept of being "in Christ" is emphasized as a defining characteristic of Christians. Baptism is used to symbolize dying to sin and being raised to a new life in Christ. The old sin nature is said to be crucified with Christ, freeing believers from the penalty and power of sin. The sermon concludes with the rhetorical question of whether one can tempt a dead man, suggesting that our old nature, being crucified, should no longer be enslaved to sin.
Key Takeaways:
- Believers are called to consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, a state that is not based on feelings but on the truth of God's Word. This mindset requires a conscious decision to trust in what God declares about our identity rather than our experiences or emotions.
- Justification and sanctification are distinct yet interconnected aspects of the Christian life. Justification is a one-time event where one is declared free from sin's penalty, while sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ and living free from sin's power.
- The concept of being dead to sin is illustrated through the analogy of a dead person not responding to insults or praise. This demonstrates that as believers, we should not react to sin's temptations because we are identified with Christ in His death.
- The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to resist sin. Although believers are not perfect, the presence of the Holy Spirit gives them the power to say no to sin and live in the victory that Christ's resurrection guarantees.
- Being "in Christ" signifies a transformation where one's old sin nature is crucified, and they are reborn as a new creation. Baptism symbolizes this spiritual reality, indicating that believers are no longer slaves to sin but are free to live a new life in Christ.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 6:1-14
- Ephesians 4:17-24
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 6:1-2, what rhetorical question does Paul ask, and what is his immediate response? How does this set the tone for the rest of the passage?
2. In Romans 6:3-4, Paul uses the imagery of baptism. What does he say baptism symbolizes for believers?
3. Ephesians 4:22-24 speaks about putting off the old self and putting on the new self. What characteristics are associated with the old self and the new self?
4. The sermon mentioned an illustration involving a seminary professor and a cemetery. What was the purpose of this illustration? [31:32]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Romans 6:6, Paul states that our old self was crucified with Christ. What does it mean for the "body of sin" to be "brought to nothing" or "rendered powerless"? How does this affect a believer's daily life?
2. The sermon emphasized the difference between positional truth and experiential truth. How does understanding these concepts help believers live out their faith? [16:47]
3. Ephesians 4:17-24 describes a transformation process. What practical steps can believers take to "put off" the old self and "put on" the new self in their daily lives?
4. The sermon mentioned that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist sin. How does this empowerment manifest in practical terms, and what role does the believer play in this process? [38:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Romans 6:11 encourages believers to "consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." How can you practically remind yourself of this truth throughout your day? [42:39]
2. The sermon discussed the concept of being "in Christ" and how it changes our identity. How does this new identity influence your decisions and actions? [25:08]
3. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt tempted to sin. How can the understanding that sin has been rendered powerless help you respond differently in the future? [36:08]
4. Ephesians 4:22-24 talks about renewing the spirit of your mind. What specific practices or habits can you adopt to renew your mind and align it with God's truth?
5. The sermon mentioned that believers should not respond to sin's temptations because they are dead to sin. What are some practical ways you can avoid situations or triggers that lead to temptation? [31:32]
6. Baptism symbolizes dying to sin and being raised to a new life in Christ. If you have been baptized, how does this symbolism impact your daily walk with Christ? If you haven't been baptized, what steps can you take to understand its significance better? [26:42]
7. The sermon concluded with the idea of considering or reckoning ourselves dead to sin. How can you incorporate this mindset into your prayer life and daily reflections? [42:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
Our true identity is found not in our feelings or experiences, but in the steadfast truth of God's Word, which declares us dead to sin and alive in Christ. This identity is a gift of grace, requiring a conscious decision to trust and rest in what God has spoken over us. It is a call to view ourselves through the lens of divine truth rather than the shifting sands of our emotions or circumstances. [07:40]
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ change the way you approach your daily struggles and successes?
Day 2: Understanding Justification and Sanctification
Justification is the divine verdict of 'not guilty'—a one-time event where we are declared free from the penalty of sin. Sanctification, on the other hand, is the lifelong journey of growing in holiness, shaped by our ongoing choices to live in the freedom Christ has won for us. It is a process that reflects our gradual transformation into the likeness of Jesus. [07:40]
1 Peter 1:2 - "Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in your sanctification process today, and how does understanding your justification help you in this journey?
Day 3: Living Unresponsive to Sin
As believers, we are called to be as unresponsive to sin as the dead are to the world around them. This means that sin's temptations, which once held sway over us, should now find no echo in our hearts. We are to live as those who have been set free, no longer entangled by the allure of sin because we are united with Christ in His death. [07:40]
Colossians 3:3 - "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What temptations do you need to become 'dead' to, and how can you practically live out your union with Christ's death in those areas?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Empowering Presence
The Holy Spirit is the believer's source of power to resist sin and live a victorious life. While perfection is beyond our grasp, the Spirit enables us to make choices that align with our new identity in Christ. This divine empowerment is the key to living out the resurrection life we are promised in Jesus. [07:40]
Romans 8:13 - "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."
Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit today to overcome a specific temptation or sinful habit?
Day 5: Transformed by Being 'In Christ'
Being 'in Christ' signifies a profound transformation: our old sin nature is crucified, and we are reborn as a new creation. This spiritual reality is symbolized in baptism, where we are buried with Christ and raised to new life. As new creations, we are no longer enslaved to sin but are free to live in the righteousness and peace of God's kingdom. [07:40]
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: Reflect on your baptism (or the meaning of baptism if not yet baptized). How does this symbol of your new life in Christ inspire you to live differently today?
Quotes
"Being justified means that we have been declared righteous by God, not because of our own merits but because of Christ's sacrifice. It's as if we'd never sinned, and from God's perspective, we're free from the penalty that our sin deserved." [06:45] (Download)
"Sanctification is about what's going on in our lives at this moment. It's the process that begins the moment that we're justified and doesn't end until we're glorified. It's what the life of following Jesus is all about." [07:35] (Download)
"We're not pretending that sin doesn't have any effect on us. We're considering the fact that sin doesn't have any effect on us. We are dead to sin and alive to God." [45:50] (Download)
"Positional truth is what God says about my Christian life. Experiential truth is when I begin to live the way that God sees me." [17:31] (Download)
"Because of Christ, sin can and is rendered powerless. If you're a follower of Jesus, you do not have to sin anymore. You have everything in you to not sin. And that everything that you need is a person. His name is the Holy Spirit." [38:11] (Download)
"Christ's resurrection has guaranteed our ultimate victory. We can walk knowing that ultimately we are guaranteed victory because of Christ's resurrection. And those are the facts, whether you experience, whether you feel it, whether you believe it or not." [40:34] (Download)
"We're dead to sin because of Christ. And if that's true, then the reality is temptation does not have to have any effect on our life. Whatever the temptation, why? Because I'm dead. You can't tempt me. I'm dead. And dead people don't sin." [31:04] (Download)
"In a sense, what that person who's being baptized is saying is, I'm dead. I recognize that I am dying to self. I am dying to sin. I have, and I didn't do it, but because of Christ, that this declaration that I am dead to sin." [27:41] (Download)
"When Christ died, my old sin nature was crucified with him... so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." [29:22] (Download)
"We've been set free from the penalty of sin. We've been set free from the power of sin. He's talking about our justification and our sanctification." [29:22] (Download)
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