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To be holy is to be set
apart for God’s use. The
Bible tells us that God
has “not called us unto
uncleanness, but unto
holiness” (1
Thessalonians 4:7). We
are called to pursue
holiness (1 Timothy
6:11; Hebrews 12:14).
These passages tell us
that the pursuit of
holiness is the supreme
interest of the
Christian.
sanctification is the
Christian’s supreme
interest
The Word of God
expresses this pursuit
of holiness in many
ways:
·
Christians are to yield
ourselves unto God...our
members as instruments
of righteousness unto
God (Romans 6:13).
·
Christians are to “put
off concerning the
former conversation the
old man...put on the new
man, which after God is
created in righteousness
and true holiness”
(Ephesians 4:22-24).
·
Christians are to
“mortify [to put to
death] therefore your
members which are upon
the earth” (Colossians
3:5).
·
Christians are to “walk
in the light, as He [our
Lord Jesus Christ] is in
the light” (1 John 1:7).
·
Christians are not to
fashion ourselves
according to the former
lusts (1 Peter 1:14).
All these calls to
pursue holiness are all
expressed in the
imperative. The pursuit
of holiness is the
supreme interest of the
Christian.
A.
Positional
Sanctification
Positional sanctification is a change
in position. It is a
change of state in which
God sets us apart for
His holy purpose (Titus
3:5). The initial step
is that there is a
definite break in the
believer from the ruling
power of sin – so that
sin does not have power
over the Christian
(Romans 6:12-14).
B.
Perfect
Sanctification
Perfect sanctification happens when
we see God (1 John 3:2).
C.
Progressive
Sanctification
Progressive sanctification is a
process by which
believers in Christ grow
to be more
and more holy;
conforming our actual
lives to the purposes for which God has called
us.
The Shorter
Catechism defines
sanctification as the
word of God’s free
grace, whereby believers
are renewed in the whole
man after the image of
God, and are enabled
more and more to die
unto sin, and live unto
righteousness
(Philippians 3:12-14;
Titus 2:11-12).
Progressive
Sanctification is the
practical outworking of
regeneration in the
faith and life of the
Christian (Philippians
2:12-13).
the means of
sanctification
We are sanctified by the
revealed truth of God
(John 17:17, 19).
A.
By the God of the
Word
God is the Author of our
sanctification (1
Thessalonians 5:23).
Sanctification is also the ministry
of the Holy Spirit
(Romans 15:16; 2
Thessalonians 2:13).
B.
By the Word of
God
We are sanctified by the Word of God
(John 17:17). There is a
connection between the
Word of God and the
sanctification of the
Christian (Psalm
19:7-11; 119:9-12;
Ephesians 4:21-25).
Sanctification is a
cooperative work between
God and man. God
provides the truth, and
man must obey it.
conclusion
Christians cannot separate their lives from the
Word. The work of
sanctification is done
through the Word of God
and not apart from it.
~~~~~~
THE WORD OF GOD
(Anonymous)
This book reveals the
mind of God, the state
of man, the way of
salvation,
the doom of sinners, and
the happiness of
believers.
Its doctrines are holy,
its precepts are
binding, its histories
are true,
and its decisions are
immutable.
Read it to be wise,
believe it to be saved,
and practice it to be
holy.
It contains light to
direct you, food to
support you, and comfort
to cheer you.
It is the traveler's
map, the pilgrim's
staff, the pilot's
compass, the soldier's
sword,
and the Christian's
charter.
Here, too, heaven is
opened and the gates of
hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand
subject, our good its
design, and the glory of
God its end.
It should fill the
memory, rule the heart,
and guide the feet.
Read it slowly,
frequently, prayerfully.
It is a mine of wealth,
a paradise of glory, and
a river of pleasure.
It is given you in life,
will be opened at the
judgment, and be
remembered forever.
It involves the highest
responsibility, will
regard the greatest
labour,
and condemn all who
trifle with its sacred
contents.
Owned in riches; studied
in wisdom; trusted in
salvation; loved its
character;
and obeyed its power.
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