Understanding the Process of Sanctification in Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Sanctification

Sanctification is a transformative process where the righteousness of Christ is imparted to believers, setting them apart for God's service. This process involves both divine and human agency, with God, particularly the Holy Spirit, as the primary agent. Believers are called to actively participate by cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. This dual involvement highlights the importance of cooperation with God's work in our lives. Sanctification is not just about being forgiven; it is about being changed and set apart for a holy purpose. This transformation is essential for believers to become vessels fit for the Master's use, reflecting the character and righteousness of Christ in their daily lives. [02:23]

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV): "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to cleanse yourself from spiritual impurities and align more closely with God's purpose for your life?

Day 2: Sanctification as a Continuous Journey

The method of sanctification is not a single act or experience but a continuous process of growth and development in holiness. It is a condition of being in a right relationship with God, characterized by a gradual transformation into the image of Christ. This ongoing journey requires patience and perseverance, as believers are continually being shaped and molded by God's hand. Unlike justification, which is a one-time event, sanctification is a lifelong process that involves daily choices and actions that align with God's will. This journey is marked by a deepening relationship with God and an increasing reflection of His character in our lives. [34:09]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you see the need for growth and development in holiness, and how can you actively pursue this transformation today?

Day 3: The Role of Experiences in Sanctification

Experiences in the Christian life, such as sudden deliverance from specific sins, can aid sanctification but are not synonymous with it. These experiences are like rain and sunshine to a growing crop, stimulating and promoting growth but not constituting the growth itself. While such experiences can be powerful and transformative, they are part of the broader process of sanctification, which involves a continuous transformation into the image of Christ. Believers are encouraged to embrace these experiences as opportunities for growth, while recognizing that true sanctification is a gradual and ongoing journey. [37:09]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience that challenged your faith. How can you use this experience to further your growth in holiness and reliance on God?

Day 4: God's Consistent Method of Sanctification

God's method of sanctification is consistent with His work in nature and history. He has chosen to sanctify believers through a process rather than an instantaneous act, allowing them to grow in grace and knowledge over time. This process begins at regeneration and continues until believers are perfected in glory. Just as God allows certain challenges to persist in the world, He uses the process of sanctification to refine and shape His people. This method reflects God's wisdom and purpose, as it enables believers to develop a deeper relationship with Him and a greater understanding of His truth. [42:26]

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV): "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Reflection: How can you embrace the process of sanctification in your daily life, trusting in God's timing and purpose for your spiritual growth?

Day 5: The Lifelong Journey of Sanctification

Our understanding and realization of truth may come suddenly, but sanctification itself is a lifelong journey of being changed from glory to glory. It is a continuous process that begins at regeneration and continues until believers are perfected in glory. This journey involves being transformed into the image of Christ, reflecting His character and righteousness in every aspect of life. Believers are called to persevere in this journey, trusting in God's faithfulness to complete the work He has begun in them. As they grow in holiness, they become more effective witnesses of God's love and grace in the world. [43:28]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively participate in your lifelong journey of sanctification, allowing God to transform you from glory to glory?

Sermon Summary

Sanctification is a vital aspect of our salvation, intricately linked to our justification and regeneration. It is not merely a declaration of forgiveness but a transformative process where the righteousness of Christ is imparted to us, setting us apart for God's service. This separation from sin and the world is essential for us to be vessels fit for the Master's use. The doctrine of sanctification involves both divine and human agency. While it is primarily the work of God, particularly the Holy Spirit, we also have a role to play in cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

The method of sanctification has been a point of contention among various theological schools. Some argue that sanctification is something to be received in a single act, akin to justification. However, this view is challenged by scriptural evidence and the nature of sanctification as a continuous process. Sanctification is not an experience to be received or an event that happens suddenly. It is a condition, a state of being in a right relationship with God, characterized by growth and development in holiness.

Experiences in the Christian life, such as sudden deliverance from specific sins, can aid sanctification but are not synonymous with it. These experiences are like rain and sunshine to a growing crop, stimulating and promoting growth but not constituting the growth itself. Sanctification is a gradual process, akin to the growth of a child into adulthood, and it involves a continuous transformation into the image of Christ.

God's method of sanctification is consistent with His work in nature and history. Just as He allows Satan to continue and death to persist, He has chosen to sanctify us through a process rather than an instantaneous act. This process begins at regeneration and continues until we are perfected in glory. Our understanding and realization of truth may come suddenly, but sanctification itself is a lifelong journey of being changed from glory to glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Sanctification is a transformative process where the righteousness of Christ is imparted to us, setting us apart for God's service. It involves both divine and human agency, with God as the primary agent and us playing a role in cleansing ourselves from sin. [02:23]
2. The method of sanctification is not a single act or experience but a continuous process of growth and development in holiness. It is a condition of being in a right relationship with God, characterized by a gradual transformation into the image of Christ. [34:09]
3. Experiences in the Christian life, such as sudden deliverance from specific sins, can aid sanctification but are not synonymous with it. These experiences stimulate and promote growth but do not constitute sanctification itself. [37:09]
4. God's method of sanctification is consistent with His work in nature and history. He has chosen to sanctify us through a process rather than an instantaneous act, allowing us to grow in grace and knowledge over time. [42:26]
5. Our understanding and realization of truth may come suddenly, but sanctification itself is a lifelong journey of being changed from glory to glory. It is a continuous process that begins at regeneration and continues until we are perfected in glory. [43:28]
** [43:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Sanctification
[01:00] - Definition of Sanctification
[02:08] - The Agent of Sanctification
[03:45] - Method of Sanctification
[04:50] - Is Sanctification Received?
[06:12] - Scriptural Interpretations
[09:14] - Walking in the Light
[11:45] - Romans 8:2 Explained
[15:20] - Freedom from Sin
[19:21] - Understanding Romans 8:2
[23:15] - Our Role in Sanctification
[26:21] - Is Sanctification an Experience?
[31:47] - Examining Experiences
[34:24] - Sanctification vs. Experience
[39:48] - Is Sanctification Sudden?
[43:28] - God's Method of Sanctification
[45:00] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what is the primary role of the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification? [02:23]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between justification and sanctification? [22:19]
What analogy does the sermon use to explain the process of sanctification, and how does it relate to growth? [36:25]
What are some experiences mentioned in the sermon that can aid in the process of sanctification? [27:49]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon explain the difference between being set apart and the inward process of sanctification? [07:11]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that sanctification is a continuous process rather than a single event? [34:09]
How does the sermon address the idea of sudden deliverance from sin, and what implications does this have for understanding sanctification? [31:47]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of personal effort in the process of sanctification? [24:00]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced a sudden realization of truth. How did it impact your spiritual growth, and how can you seek similar moments in your current walk with God? [44:28]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of both divine and human agency in sanctification. What specific actions can you take this week to cleanse yourself from "all filthiness of the flesh and spirit"? [03:28]
Consider the analogy of sanctification as a gradual growth process. What are some practical steps you can take to nurture your spiritual growth, similar to how a farmer tends to a crop? [36:25]
How can you remain patient and committed to the lifelong journey of sanctification, especially during times when growth seems slow or imperceptible? [34:09]
Identify a specific sin or habit you struggle with. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on sanctification to seek gradual transformation in this area? [27:49]
The sermon mentions that experiences can aid sanctification but are not synonymous with it. How can you differentiate between spiritual experiences and the ongoing process of sanctification in your life? [37:09]
How can you encourage others in your small group or community to embrace the process of sanctification as a journey rather than a destination? [43:28]

Sermon Clips

Sanctification means being set apart for God and his service, which means obviously that we must be separated from sin from the world which is opposed to God and separated to God and obviously we cannot function and be used in God's service unless we are clean and holy and that is sanctification. [00:01:03]

The whole end and object of salvation is that we should truly be separated unto God and be made a people for God's possession. I emphasize that you will remember for this good reason that there is that terrible danger of imagining that you can stop at forgiveness but you cannot. [00:02:26]

Sanctification is not something which is to be received. We saw last time did we not that great emphasis on our part what you and I have got to do. Why, my dear friends, what is the value and the point of all these great exhibitions of Doctrine in these New Testament Epistles? [00:23:07]

Sanctification is not an experience. It is a condition. It is my condition in my relationship to God. There it is, I say again in 2 Corinthians 3:18, I am changed into the same image of Jesus Christ from glory to glory. Sanctification involves experiences, sanctification is helped by experiences, but sanctification itself is not an experience. [00:34:37]

Sanctification itself is that life, that process of growth and development which starts the moment we are saved, the moment we are Justified, the moment we are regenerated. Sanctification starts the moment life enters and it keeps on. [00:36:49]

Experiences in the Christian life, such as sudden deliverance from specific sins, can aid sanctification but are not synonymous with it. These experiences stimulate and promote growth but do not constitute sanctification itself. [00:37:09]

God's method of sanctification is consistent with His work in nature and history. He has chosen to sanctify us through a process rather than an instantaneous act, allowing us to grow in grace and knowledge over time. [00:42:26]

Our understanding and realization of truth may come suddenly, but sanctification itself is a lifelong journey of being changed from glory to glory. It is a continuous process that begins at regeneration and continues until we are perfected in glory. [00:43:28]

The realization of certain aspects of truth may be sudden, and thank God they often are. One of the things I'm going to tell you next Friday came to me most suddenly, this whole question of the place of sin in the Believer. [00:43:58]

Sanctification is obviously and clearly not something that happens suddenly. What are the scripture terms? There are these: you are born again, you are a baby in Christ. That's what Paul says to the Corinthians, you are yet babes. John talks about children, young men, men, old men. [00:44:11]

The history of the children of Israel is a very perfect picture of the Salvation of a soul. Very well, the children of Israel were delivered out of Egypt once and forever, and the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea. But would you like to tell me that the Troubles of the Israelites ended at that point? [00:45:59]

God's method of sanctification, as we see and as I hope to show still more clearly next week, is this process which starts from the moment of regeneration and it goes on and on. Every experience we get stimulates it, and we are changed from Glory into Glory. [00:43:28]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?