LOOKING TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP JESUS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. 18 No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Christianity 101- Part 6: Sanctification and Discipleship

New Christians that have been saved by Jesus Christ will experience a feeling of gratitude, joy and love for Christ in their hearts for the mercy they have received (1 Peter 1:8). The Spirit of God dwells in believers (Romans 8:9-11) and enables them with divine power to be sanctified. The process of sanctification in believers is a work of the Holy Spirit that gradually transforms sinners to increasingly mortify sin and live unto righteousness. He empowers new Christians to become disciples by following the teachings of Christ and performing good works. While it is primarily a work of God’s grace, believers can and should co-operate in their sanctification. True Christians do participate in sanctification to varying degrees. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us that true Christians return a yield of one hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. Scripture does not leave any wiggle room for someone to claim Christ as savior, but deny him as Lord by refusing to co-operate in sanctification. This so-called carnal Christian view of a true believer is a myth and is refuted by many passages of Scripture such as (James 2:14). Christians may grieve the Holy Spirit and fall into sin for a season, but they will gain the victory over the bondage of sin by the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s discipline.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command? (John 14:15 ).” The Bible is full of warnings of things to avoid (Rom 12) and things to do such as love, forgive, serve, give, etc. These Biblical exhortations to good works are sometimes mistakenly thought to be the cause of justification by God. However, good works are the fruit of the grace of justification that comes from faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ is what saves sinners, not their works in the sanctification process. Sanctification happens in a Christian because Jesus Christ not only saves sinners form the penalty of sin, but He also saves them from the power of sin (Romans 6).

As new Christians begin their walk of sanctification and discipleship they participate in and practice activities like worship, Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and witnessing. These activities are not burdens but bring joy and peace to Christians in their Christian walk.

Praise God that the power of his grace is sufficient to not only save sinners but also sanctify them.

9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sanctification is such an amazing blessing. I particularly like Hebrews 12:5-10:
"And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness."
What an awesome privilege!
For our good we are disciplined
and to share in His holiness.
What a blessing!

June 03, 2007 9:20 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I need to add that when someone once asked me how - as a Reformed Calvinist - I could know that God had chosen to save me - I thought about it and realized that I know He has chosen me because He never leaves me alone in my sin. When I sin, I know His Holy Spirit quickens my soul and I am not allowed to continue in it. He brings forth repentance in me, thank God!

June 03, 2007 9:23 AM

 
Blogger mark pierson said...

"The process of sanctification in believers is a work of the Holy Spirit that gradually transforms sinners to increasingly mortify sin and live unto righteousness. He empowers new Christians to become disciples by following the teachings of Christ and performing good works."

That is the heart of it right there! Great post, Wayne!

It is a pity that there is a system that severs Justification from the whole of the salvation experience and practically leaves Romans chapters 6-8 out of consideration in the Christian life. Oh, they give lip service to these chapters, but in the end, that is all that it is, lip service.

June 03, 2007 10:11 AM

 
Blogger Baptist Girl said...

Amen jazz.
He is the Potter and we are the clay and Daily, He is molding us into His image.

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”

Cristina

June 03, 2007 1:55 PM

 
Blogger Gojira said...

Hi Wayne,

I just wanted to tell you that this is one grade A, spot on series!

June 03, 2007 4:36 PM

 
Blogger Dawn said...

Hi Wayne. I haven't had a chance to read your series, but I do intend to come back to read it and the others I've not had the time to read.

Sorry this is off topic, but I have a request to ask of my friends here at Bluecollar (and others elsewhere). Would you all mind going over to my blog and giving me your interpretation of this parable? I would really appreciate it as I value your opinions.

June 03, 2007 7:12 PM

 
Blogger jazzycat said...

Thanks to all my Bluecollar teammates for your encouragement and support. This finishes the series, so yall (southern word) can post at will. Thanks for letting the series run by itself.

Dawn, I will check your post out.

wayne

June 03, 2007 8:58 PM

 
Blogger Dawn said...

Great series Wayne. If we love the Lord, we will obey His commands. As you said, that doesn't mean we won't fall from time to time because we will. But we should be quick to repent and continue in the Lord's commands.

June 04, 2007 1:35 AM

 
Blogger jazzycat said...

Dawn,
Exactly. Well said....

June 04, 2007 8:30 AM

 

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