Sanctification: The Transformative Journey in Christ
Summary
In the exploration of sanctification, we delve into the profound truth that sanctification is a process deeply rooted in the truth of God's Word. Jesus' prayer in John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth," sets the foundation for understanding that the entirety of Scripture contributes to our sanctification. Every doctrine, from the nature of God to the reality of sin and judgment, plays a role in this transformative process. The Apostle Paul, particularly in Romans chapters 6, 7, and 8, provides a comprehensive exposition on sanctification, emphasizing that it is inseparable from justification.
Paul refutes the notion that justification by faith allows for a life of sin, asserting that the very nature of Christian salvation makes continuing in sin impossible. The argument is that through our union with Christ, we are dead to sin and alive to God. This union means that we have been crucified, buried, and resurrected with Christ, and thus, sin no longer has dominion over us. However, while our spirits are redeemed, our bodies remain subject to sin, a tension that persists until the final redemption of our bodies.
The process of sanctification is ongoing, involving the Holy Spirit's work within us, leading us to truth and empowering us to live righteously. This journey is not about achieving sinless perfection in this life but about growing in holiness and resisting the sin that still dwells in our mortal bodies. The ultimate hope lies in the future redemption when our bodies will be fully liberated from sin, aligning with the already redeemed state of our spirits.
Key Takeaways:
- Sanctification is rooted in the truth of God's Word, encompassing all of Scripture. Every doctrine, from God's nature to sin and judgment, contributes to our sanctification, highlighting the inseparability of justification and sanctification. [00:31]
- Our union with Christ is central to sanctification. Through this union, we are dead to sin and alive to God, having been crucified, buried, and resurrected with Christ. This union ensures that sin no longer has dominion over us. [14:33]
- While our spirits are redeemed, our bodies remain subject to sin. This tension persists until the final redemption of our bodies, emphasizing the ongoing nature of sanctification and the hope of future glorification. [29:29]
- The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in sanctification, working within us to lead us to truth, empower us to live righteously, and assure us of ultimate victory over sin. This process involves active participation in resisting sin and pursuing holiness. [36:04]
- The ultimate hope of sanctification is the future redemption of our bodies, aligning with the already redeemed state of our spirits. This future glorification assures us of complete liberation from sin, reflecting the fullness of our union with Christ. [39:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Sanctification
[00:31] - The Role of Scripture in Sanctification
[01:05] - Key Doctrines and Sanctification
[01:50] - Romans 6-8: A Deep Dive
[03:38] - The Impossibility of Continuing in Sin
[04:42] - Justification and Sanctification
[05:09] - Overview of Romans 6, 7, and 8
[06:12] - The Spirit's Role in Sanctification
[07:00] - All Christians Are Spiritual
[09:38] - The Doctrine of Sin
[12:28] - Complete Salvation in Christ
[14:00] - Union with Christ
[16:40] - Dead to Sin, Alive to God
[19:47] - Risen with Christ
[21:35] - The Struggle with Sin in the Body
[29:29] - Future Redemption of the Body
[36:04] - The Holy Spirit's Work in Us
[39:32] - The Hope of Glorification
[43:32] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Sanctification and Our Union with Christ
Bible Reading:
1. John 17:17 - "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
2. Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
3. Romans 8:23 - "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 17:17, what is the method of sanctification as taught in the scripture? How does this relate to the entirety of the Bible? [00:31]
2. In Romans 6:14, what does Paul mean when he says, "sin shall not have dominion over you"? How does this relate to being "under grace"? [14:00]
3. How does Romans 8:23 describe the current state of believers and their future hope? What does "the redemption of our body" imply about the process of sanctification? [29:29]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the process of sanctification according to the sermon? [36:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the union with Christ ensure that sin no longer has dominion over believers, as discussed in Romans 6? What implications does this have for the believer's daily life? [14:33]
2. The sermon mentions a tension between the redeemed spirit and the body still subject to sin. How does this tension affect a believer's journey towards holiness? [29:29]
3. What does the future redemption of our bodies mean for our current understanding of sanctification and glorification? How does this future hope influence our present actions? [39:32]
4. How does the Holy Spirit empower believers to live righteously, and what is the significance of active participation in resisting sin? [36:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal understanding of sanctification. How does knowing that it is a process rooted in God's Word change your approach to reading the Bible? [00:31]
2. In what ways can you actively participate in resisting sin in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can apply this week. [36:04]
3. How does the concept of being "dead to sin and alive to God" through union with Christ challenge your current lifestyle choices? What changes might you need to make? [14:33]
4. Consider the tension between your redeemed spirit and your body still subject to sin. How can you find encouragement in this struggle, knowing the ultimate hope of future glorification? [29:29]
5. The sermon emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in leading us to truth and empowering us. How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life this week? [36:04]
6. What specific steps can you take to grow in holiness, knowing that sanctification is an ongoing process? How can your small group support you in this journey? [36:04]
7. How does the hope of future redemption and glorification motivate you to live a life that reflects your union with Christ? What practical actions can you take to align your life with this hope? [39:32]
Devotional
Day 1: The Foundation of Sanctification in Scripture
Sanctification is a transformative process deeply rooted in the truth of God's Word. Jesus' prayer in John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth," underscores the integral role of Scripture in our sanctification journey. Every doctrine, from the nature of God to the reality of sin and judgment, contributes to this process. The Apostle Paul, particularly in Romans chapters 6, 7, and 8, provides a comprehensive exposition on sanctification, emphasizing its inseparability from justification. This foundational understanding highlights that sanctification is not a separate or optional aspect of Christian life but is intertwined with the very essence of our faith. [00:31]
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate more of God's Word into your daily routine to aid in your sanctification process?
Day 2: Union with Christ: Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Our union with Christ is central to the process of sanctification. Through this union, believers are considered dead to sin and alive to God, having been crucified, buried, and resurrected with Christ. This profound truth ensures that sin no longer has dominion over us. Paul refutes the notion that justification by faith allows for a life of sin, asserting that the very nature of Christian salvation makes continuing in sin impossible. This union with Christ is not merely a theological concept but a transformative reality that empowers believers to live in righteousness and holiness. [14:33]
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your union with Christ and its implications for your life?
Day 3: The Tension of the Redeemed Spirit and Sinful Body
While our spirits are redeemed, our bodies remain subject to sin, creating a tension that persists until the final redemption of our bodies. This ongoing nature of sanctification emphasizes the hope of future glorification when our bodies will be fully liberated from sin. The struggle with sin in our mortal bodies is a reality for every believer, yet it is not a cause for despair. Instead, it is a call to rely on the Holy Spirit's power and to actively participate in resisting sin and pursuing holiness. This tension serves as a reminder of the already-but-not-yet aspect of our salvation. [29:29]
"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members." (Romans 7:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to resist the sin that still dwells in your body?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Role in Sanctification
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the process of sanctification, working within believers to lead them to truth, empower them to live righteously, and assure them of ultimate victory over sin. This process involves active participation in resisting sin and pursuing holiness. The Holy Spirit is not only a guide but also a source of strength and encouragement, enabling believers to grow in holiness and to reflect the character of Christ in their daily lives. This ongoing work of the Holy Spirit is a testament to God's faithfulness in completing the good work He has begun in us. [36:04]
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions and actions?
Day 5: The Hope of Future Glorification
The ultimate hope of sanctification is the future redemption of our bodies, aligning with the already redeemed state of our spirits. This future glorification assures believers of complete liberation from sin, reflecting the fullness of their union with Christ. The anticipation of this future reality provides motivation and encouragement to persevere in the present struggles with sin. It is a reminder that the Christian journey is not just about the here and now but also about the glorious future that awaits those who are in Christ. [39:32]
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)
Reflection: How does the hope of future glorification influence your perspective on current challenges and struggles?
Quotes
"Sanctify them through or in thy truth Thy word is truth that is clearly therefore an indication of the method of sanctification as it is taught in the scripture now the question arises at once what truth is this sanctify them in thy truth well our Lord answers the question Thy word is truth what word well the whole of the word in in other words everything that is in the Bible ministers to our sanctification." [00:00:31]
"The Apostle is here out to show the utter impossibility of a Christian's continuing in sin and he says that it is impossible because of the nature of of the Christian salvation you see he puts it in that question what shall we say then shall we continue in sin that Grace May abound God forbid that's it how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein." [00:03:40]
"Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under grace that's the text observe what he says he doesn't say that sin ought not to have dominion over you he says sin shall not have dominion over you it's not going to be allowed because you are not under law but under grace sin shall not have dominion over you." [00:13:48]
"The fundamental principle is our Union with Christ read again the second half of chapter 5 when you go home and you'll see that the argument is as we were in Adam so we are in Christ we've reaped all the consequences of what Adam did we've reaped all the consequences of what Christ has done that's the parallel." [00:14:33]
"Now then you see the argument the result of the fall of Adam and of sin I say was that the entire men has been involved his spirit and his body in our Christian salvation at this moment my spirit is entirely redeemed my body is not let me give you my evidence for saying that according to this teaching our bodies are still subject to sin." [00:22:49]
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that he should obey it in the lusts thereof he said you yourself have reckoned yourself to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God very well then let not sin therefore rain as it has been doing in your mortal body that he should obey it in the last sah but go on to verse." [00:24:01]
"Now it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me you see it isn't I I'm redeemed it's sin that dwelleth in me verse 18 listen for I know that in me then in Brackets that is to say in my flesh dwelleth no good thing he he will not say that in me there is no good thing in My Flesh dwelleth no good thing." [00:25:22]
"And if Christ be in you the body and he means the body body he doesn't mean the flesh he means the physical frame the Soma the body is dead because of sin but the spirit is life because of righteousness he has said ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you." [00:28:10]
"The Lord Jesus Christ is in US Christ is in us if we are Christians he is in us and he is working in Us by his Holy Spirit and as the result of this working he has already delivered our spirits and is in process of delivering even our bodies and finally they will be perfectly delivered how does the process go on." [00:36:04]
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you both to Will and to do the Holy Spirit Works Upon Our Wills he creates desires after Holiness he reveals sin to us in all its foulness and ugliness and creates aspirations after Purity and the life of God not only that he gives us strength and power and enabling to do what we I want to do." [00:36:57]
"Beloved now are we the sons of God now it does not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he does appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is and we'll be like him in this respect that not only will our Spirits then be like him and partaking of his nature and reflecting His Image our bodies also shall be as glorified as his body." [00:39:32]
"May God bless you in the meantime and give us all increasing understanding in this glorious and Wealthy Doctrine by which alone we can be made truly free let us pray almighty God our heavenly father we do indeed thank thee for this glorious liberating Truth for this realization that we are indeed dead under sin and Alive unto thee and that the day is even coming when our very bodies shall be fully and completely redeemed." [00:44:00]
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