Understanding the Journey of Sanctification in Faith

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of sanctification, it's essential to understand that while our sanctification is partial, it is nonetheless real and significant. The Christian life is a process of being made holy, a transformation that begins the moment we are justified by faith. This transformation is not based on our righteousness but on the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. The Holy Spirit initiates a change in our nature, leading us toward holiness and righteousness. This process is immediate and inevitable for those who possess true faith.

Sanctification is not a linear journey; it involves peaks and valleys. Christians may experience periods of spiritual highs and lows, but over time, as we mature in Christ, these fluctuations tend to stabilize. However, even mature Christians can experience significant falls into sin, which may require church discipline for restoration. The key is understanding that sanctification is a lifelong process, not an instantaneous leap to perfection. It requires diligent effort, as Paul exhorts us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, recognizing that God is at work within us.

The journey of sanctification is a cooperative effort between us and God. We are called to be active in our pursuit of holiness, avoiding the extremes of activism, which relies solely on self-effort, and quietism, which passively waits for God to do all the work. Instead, we engage in a synergistic relationship with the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides us in our spiritual growth.

Furthermore, we must guard against the twin heresies of legalism and antinomianism. Legalism adds to God's law, imposing unnecessary burdens, while antinomianism dismisses the law altogether. A balanced approach recognizes the law as a guide to understanding what pleases God, leading us to love and meditate on it as we pursue righteousness.

Key Takeaways:

- Sanctification is a real and ongoing process that begins immediately upon justification. It is not based on our righteousness but on Christ's righteousness imputed to us. This transformation is initiated by the Holy Spirit and is inevitable for those with true faith. [03:59]

- The Christian journey involves peaks and valleys, with periods of spiritual highs and lows. As we mature in Christ, these fluctuations stabilize, but even mature Christians can experience significant falls into sin, requiring church discipline for restoration. [09:07]

- Sanctification is a cooperative effort between us and God. We must actively pursue holiness, avoiding the extremes of activism, which relies solely on self-effort, and quietism, which passively waits for God to do all the work. [16:16]

- We must guard against legalism, which adds to God's law, and antinomianism, which dismisses the law altogether. A balanced approach recognizes the law as a guide to understanding what pleases God, leading us to love and meditate on it. [21:58]

- Sanctification is a lifelong process that requires diligent effort. Paul exhorts us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, recognizing that God is at work within us, empowering and guiding us in our spiritual growth. [13:57]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Early Christian Journey
[00:41] - Meeting Dr. Lamont
[01:21] - Partially Sanctified Mind
[01:52] - Justification and Sanctification
[02:29] - The Reality of Sanctification
[03:20] - The Process of Being Made Holy
[03:59] - Immediate Change in Nature
[04:51] - The Myth of the Carnal Christian
[05:39] - Struggle with the Flesh
[06:07] - False Professions of Faith
[07:11] - The Presence of the Holy Spirit
[07:56] - Peaks and Valleys in Growth
[09:07] - Spiritual Maturity and Stability
[10:23] - Perfectionism and Instant Sanctification
[11:38] - The Myth of the Victorious Christian Life
[13:23] - The Labor of Sanctification
[15:01] - Working with Fear and Trembling
[16:16] - Synergism in Sanctification
[17:43] - Activism vs. Quietism
[19:19] - The Heresy of Activism
[20:18] - The Heresy of Quietism
[21:20] - Legalism and Antinomianism
[22:45] - Loving the Law of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Journey of Sanctification

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now 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 do for His good pleasure." [13:57]
2. Romans 7:18-19 - "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find."
3. Galatians 5:16-17 - "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Philippians 2:12-13, what is the relationship between our efforts and God's work in our sanctification? [13:57]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of sanctification as a process rather than an instantaneous event? [09:43]
3. What are the two heresies mentioned in the sermon that can distort our understanding of sanctification? [21:20]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification? [17:19]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In Philippians 2:12-13, what does it mean to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"? How does this relate to the idea of sanctification being a cooperative effort between us and God? [13:57]
2. How does the concept of peaks and valleys in the Christian journey help us understand the nature of spiritual growth and maturity? [09:07]
3. What might be the dangers of legalism and antinomianism in a believer's life, and how can they affect one's pursuit of holiness? [21:20]
4. How does the sermon address the misconception of a "carnal Christian" and what implications does this have for understanding true conversion? [06:07]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Can you identify any peaks and valleys? How have these experiences shaped your faith and understanding of sanctification? [09:07]
2. In what ways can you actively participate in your sanctification process without falling into the extremes of activism or quietism? [17:43]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more attentive to His guidance and empowerment in your pursuit of holiness? [17:19]
4. Are there areas in your life where you might be leaning towards legalism or antinomianism? How can you find a balanced approach that honors God's law while embracing His grace? [21:20]
5. How can you apply the principle of "working out your salvation with fear and trembling" in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate diligence in your spiritual growth? [13:57]
6. Think of a time when you experienced a significant fall into sin. How did you find restoration, and what role did the church community play in that process? [08:31]
7. Identify one aspect of your life where you feel the Holy Spirit is prompting you to change. What steps can you take this week to respond to that prompting? [17:19]

Devotional

Day 1: The Reality of Sanctification
Sanctification is a real and ongoing process that begins immediately upon justification. It is not based on our righteousness but on Christ's righteousness imputed to us. This transformation is initiated by the Holy Spirit and is inevitable for those with true faith. The journey of sanctification is marked by a change in our nature, leading us toward holiness and righteousness. This change is not something we achieve on our own but is a work of God within us. As believers, we are called to recognize this transformation and embrace the process, trusting that God is at work in us to bring about His purposes. [03:59]

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you see the evidence of God's sanctifying work? How can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit in these areas today?


Day 2: Navigating Spiritual Peaks and Valleys
The Christian journey involves peaks and valleys, with periods of spiritual highs and lows. As we mature in Christ, these fluctuations stabilize, but even mature Christians can experience significant falls into sin, requiring church discipline for restoration. It is important to understand that these ups and downs are a normal part of the Christian life. During times of spiritual highs, we may feel close to God and full of faith, while during lows, we may struggle with doubt and sin. Recognizing this pattern helps us to remain steadfast, knowing that God is faithful and will complete the work He has begun in us. [09:07]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent spiritual high or low. How did you respond, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness during that time?


Day 3: The Synergistic Effort of Sanctification
Sanctification is a cooperative effort between us and God. We must actively pursue holiness, avoiding the extremes of activism, which relies solely on self-effort, and quietism, which passively waits for God to do all the work. Instead, we engage in a synergistic relationship with the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides us in our spiritual growth. This means that while God is at work within us, we are also called to be diligent in our pursuit of holiness, making use of the means of grace He has provided. [16:16]

"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." (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to actively pursue holiness in partnership with the Holy Spirit?


Day 4: Guarding Against Legalism and Antinomianism
We must guard against legalism, which adds to God's law, and antinomianism, which dismisses the law altogether. A balanced approach recognizes the law as a guide to understanding what pleases God, leading us to love and meditate on it. Legalism imposes unnecessary burdens, while antinomianism leads to lawlessness. By understanding the purpose of God's law, we can appreciate its role in guiding us toward righteousness and helping us to live in a way that honors God. [21:58]

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you lean towards legalism or antinomianism? How can you find a balanced approach that honors God’s law?


Day 5: The Lifelong Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is a lifelong process that requires diligent effort. Paul exhorts us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, recognizing that God is at work within us, empowering and guiding us in our spiritual growth. This journey is not an instantaneous leap to perfection but a gradual transformation that takes place over time. As we grow in our faith, we learn to rely more on God's strength and less on our own, trusting that He will complete the work He has begun in us. [13:57]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you commit to the lifelong journey of sanctification, and what steps can you take to ensure you are growing in your faith daily?

Quotes


The good news of the Christian faith is not only that we are justified by the righteousness of someone else and we don't have to wait until we're fully sanctified before God will accept us into fellowship with Him and into His family as we have seen, but He declares us just and righteous by virtue of the imputation or the transfer of Christ's righteousness to our account. [00:01:44]

And what we're talking about in this process of sanctification is the actual making righteous or making holy of the people of God. We've seen that our status before God is based on somebody else's righteousness, not on our own righteousness, however, the second we are justified a real and true change is enacted upon us by God the Holy Spirit so that this process of sanctification by which we are being made holy and brought into conformity with Christ (again, we are His craftsmanship) that the change of our nature toward holiness and toward righteousness begins. [00:02:47]

The fruit of sanctification is not only necessary as a consequence of justification, but it's not only inevitable as a consequence of your justification but it is immediate. That is, it begins instantly. Now, I say this to give warning to those who hold this view that it is possible for people to actually be converted to Christ and: A) either never bring forth any good fruits because they remain carnal to the day they die; or B) may go for a season without manifesting any change in their behavior, though inevitably they will begin to at some point or another so that they may be for a season in a state of pure carnality. [00:04:28]

It's impossible for a regenerated person, for a converted person, to remain unchanged. The very presence of the new nature, the very presence and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit indicates to the contrary -- that we are indeed changed and changing people. Now, that doesn't mean that the progress of sanctification moves in a steady line from the starting point of conversion until we get home in glory. [00:07:11]

There are few if any Christians who have ever lived who have ever shown a graph of personal growth that would match that line. Normally it goes something like this. But sooner or later it gets there. Now, I show the graph like this that there is a steady growth for the most part in the normal Christian life with peaks and valleys. However, there can be an occasion where a Christian who is truly a Christian can have a serious and radical fall into protracted sin. [00:07:51]

Sanctification is a life-long process that involves an enormous amount of labor and it is labor intensive. If we go to the New Testament again where for example in Philippians Paul says in chapter 2, verse 12: "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed not as in my presence only but now 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 do His good pleasure." [00:13:34]

Paul tells us to work out our salvation, which is really a call to diligence in the pursuit of righteousness and in the pursuit of our sanctification. It's work. It's work. That means that a Christian in seeking sanctification and spiritual maturity must be active. And how active? Work out your salvation how? In fear and trembling. [00:14:38]

Here we see something where we have a genuine synergism or a cooperation, that sanctification is a cooperative process where God is working and I am working. I am called to work, work, work -- fear and trembling -- why? Because I'm not working alone. Because God is working at the same time. God is working in me. [00:16:28]

Activism is the heresy of self-righteousness, of works righteousness, where a person sees the quest of sanctification something that they achieve in themselves, by themselves. That they are the 'pull themselves up from the bootstrap' spiritual mentality. "I don't need the grace of God. I don't need the assistance of the Holy Spirit. I'm going to make righteousness an achievement that I can do on my own through my own energy and through my own activity." [00:18:55]

The legalist is the one who sees the law as so important to his sanctification that he adds to the law of God. He's not satisfied with the laws that God gives, but in order to assist in his sanctification will begin to legislate where God has left men free. And they say, "Well, we have to do this to keep people from being spotted from the world. We have to create rules and regulations. A Christian cannot go to movies. A Christian cannot dance. A Christian cannot do this, this, this and this. [00:21:51]

The other extreme is antinomianism that says, as a Christian the law of God has no bearing on my life. I'm free from the law altogether. I'm not under the law, I'm under grace and so I have every right to ignore the law of God in Scripture. Well, that is rampant in our day. In fact, we are living in a pervasive period of antinomianism in the church, where the godly person, though he understands he is no longer under bondage to the law, he is not under the weight of the law, he is not under the penalty of the law, he still loves the law of God and meditates in it day and night, because in the law he discovers what is pleasing to God and what is that which reflects His character. [00:22:44]

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Transcript
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