Text:   2 Timothy 3:16-17. 

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  

Friday, 3^rd May 2024        

 THE HOLY SPIRIT and SANCTIFICATION

  Text:   2 Timothy 3:16-17. 

  Memory verse:   Hebrews 10: 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The process of sanctification, however, is what Apostle Paul describes in Galatians chapter 5 as the outworking of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. One of the functions of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to cultivate Christian character, to transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ. This is sanctification, and this is foundational to the teachings in Galatians 5. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. All our efforts to become holly are useless but by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and the work of God’s Spirit in us. Apostle Paul highlighted the Holy Spirit’s role with repetition of the phrase “by the Spirit” in Galatians 5:16,18,25. He used the phrase “sanctified by the Holy Spirit” in Roman 15:16, and in Romans 8:13 he said it is “by the Spirit” that we can “put to death the deeds of the body.”

Sanctification involves our cooperation, note the essentials of Galatians 5: 16 “walk by the Spirit” 25, “live by the Spirit” and in verse 25 he said, “keep in step with the Spirit”. Whereas justification is entirely God’s work, sanctification involves our cooperation with God. Christ has delivered us from the reign of sin, but the responsibility for resisting sin is ours. God has given us His Spirit, but the responsibility for walking by the Spirit is ours. “Pursue … sanctification” urged the writer of Hebrews 12:14

Sanctification is a going concern, justification is once and for all, sanctification is a continuous process where we grow in holiness. The word walk also can be used to mean a certain walk of life or conduct. Paul used a tense of the verb that reflects continuous, on-going activity. The word walk reminds us that sanctification does not roll out effortlessly; it treks resolutely up a more tough path, steadily progressing toward the goal but never arriving until that day we “see him as he is” 1 John 3:2.

The goal and measure of sanctification is Christlikeness, God’s purpose for our sanctification is to transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ Romans 8:29. Refuse to be seduced into defining spiritual maturity in terms of religious activities, sanctification-by-checklist. I was born in and grew up in the church is not an assessment of spiritual maturity. On the contrary, Christ-like character is the measuring stick of growth in sanctification.

The primary instrument of sanctification is the Word of God. Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17, instructs us that God sanctifies us by His Word. Paul understood that God’s Word trains us in righteousness so that we may “be complete”. Let us drink deeply, then, from the Scriptures, for by them God will transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ.

CGDS HYMN 8; SS&S 379:

HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS FOR THE CLEANSING POWER?

1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Refrain

Are you washed in the blood?

In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?

Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2. Are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white!

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Will your soul be ready for His presence bright?

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

   Prayers: 

1. Lord Jesus, sanctify me afresh with Your sweet Holy Spirit, for a better walk with You.

2. LORD God Almighty, according to Your word, sanctify me with Your words concerning all things, because Your words are true, in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3. Pray for others in this regard.