A friend wrote to tell me about an error she found in a Bible study she was doing. Unfortunately, it's a common error of modern Christianity.
The study said sanctification and justification are complete when we commit our lives to Christ and we can add nothing to these things.
My friend understood this was only half right.
We’re justified by the finished work of Christ on the cross. Nothing we do will make us “more justified.”
But sanctification is different.
It’s a process.
The more we yield ourselves to God, the more He changes us.
Philippians 2:12-13 says God is working in us, but it clearly explains our role:
“Continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” (Amplified Bible)
When we seriously, passionately pursue God’s will and His ways, we add to (improve) our sanctification (1 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; Philippians 3:12-14).
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These devotions will help clarify this important truth:
Works is not a Dirty Word
Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday. Sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet that will help you add joy and depth to your Quiet Time. Find out more HERE.>Baby Muscles
I live in an area here in southern Kansas where a whole division of Mennonites seems to mistake Sanctification and Justification. Prominent in their teaching is the belief that one can never be Sure they are headed for heaven. One sin, one slight misstep anywhere between here and the grave, unconfessed, and we won't make it! They call "knowing for sure" heresy and arrogant. According to them one must be *daily diligent and ever *faithful (to the teachings of "their" church, and the Bible) to have the best shot at heaven.
ReplyDelete--LS