In today’s post, we touch on our next fundamental belief — Sanctification. Hopefully, for many of you, this word is familiar. But if it is, no fear. I will be breaking down in this post. but let me start by giving you a simple definition. Sanctification initially occurs at salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Not only is Sanctification an act of separation, but it is a progressive process. It is the process of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Ultimately to grow in holiness! To Grow in HOLINESS doesn’t mean you become PERFECT. It means you are SET APART!!! - We should be DIFFERENT in this world.
We grow in holiness and progress in the process of sanctification by growing in the knowledge of Christ. But please hear this, It’s not about knowing facts. Even the devil knows facts about God. It’s an understanding of who God is, embracing who this One True God is through the person of Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man.
So, Let me pose a question to you today… Do You Know A Lot About God, Or Do You Know God?
There Is A Battle Within Us… But The Struggle Is The Evidence You Belong To God:
Though we are born again, there is still a battle between the flesh and the spirit. - Will we trust God and be led by the spirit, or trust the flesh and follow it?
Christians still sin because Christians are still battling with sin. While Sanctification is instant, it is something we are still progressing in. It's a battle of faith. Will we believe Christ to satisfy us? Will we believe He is all that we need? Or will we turn to the world to bring satisfaction?
Before Jesus - you sinned and thought nothing of it; sin was normal.
After Jesus - you can’t go on sinning like you used to! You can’t even enjoy it like you used to. Something has changed inside of you. You don’t love sin the way you used to...
The struggle is evidence of a battle, and a battle means there are opposing sides - if ever you stop battling sin - stop being convicted of sin - stop trying to resist temptation, and give in - that’s a dangerous place to be...
How Do I Overcome Temptation?
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
It is not a sin to be tempted; however if we respond incorrectly to the temptation, we could fall to sin. Here are four steps to resisting temptation
1) Fill Your Heart & Mind With God’s Word
The example of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by Satan is in Matthew 4:1-11. Each of Satan’s temptations was met with the same answer: “It is written,” followed by Scripture.
If the Son of God used the Word of God to effectively end the temptations—which we know works because after three failed efforts, “the Devil left him,” why won’t we?
2) Take Control Of Your Thoughts
If our minds are filled with the latest TV shows, music, and all the rest the culture has to offer, we will be bombarded with messages and images that inevitably lead to sinful lusts.
But if our minds are filled with the majesty and holiness of God, the love and compassion of Christ, and the brilliance of both reflected in His perfect Word, we will find that our interest in the lusts of the world diminishes and disappear.
You can’t control every thought that enters your mind, but you can control what you dwell on/ entertain. Make up your mind before being tempted.
3) Don’t Put Yourself In A Position To Be Tempted
Check out these two scriptures… Proverbs 4:14-15 and Matthew 5:29.
That sounds severe! But that is because Sin is severe! (Jesus is not saying that we literally need to remove body parts.) Jesus is teaching us that, if necessary, a drastic measure should be taken to avoid sin.
4) Love Is The Key To Victory
We sin because we love sin (I know it doesn't sound lovely, but it’s true.) We will continue to choose sin until we find a greater love. God Is that Greater Love!
We will give up the things we love - for the one we love even more!
Understanding God’s Plan For Salvation:
Justification – This is a part of the sanctification plan, and it is where things begin. When you are justified, you are made right. You are forgiven! This is instant and starts the sanctification process.
Sanctification - Now that you are Justified and have been set apart and forgiven, you begin the process of living a life of Sanctification. You start living Holy and Set Apart. And some days, you won’t be good at it, but it is a growing process.
The final step is Glorification is what we will experience in heaven one day.
When you go through the process of Sanctification, God no longer sees your sin and shame! Now When God Looks At Us He Sees The Blood Of His Son That Covers Us.
Want to study this topic deeper? Watch the full sermon on YouTube!