The Act Involved In Sanctification

Introduction

* Problem of this Era:

• Redefining of what sin is all about.
• The way to deal with sin has been watered down to just acknowledging our sins or just pray about it.

* John Macarthur: “We are fast becoming a world which can be offended by anything except sin”.

* <1 Thes 5:21-22> but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

 <Eph 4:22-24>

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The old and new self

1) Transformation (not modification) from the OLD to the NEW.

* Christianity is not about forgetting your former way of life, but to remember it and put it off.

* <1 Ti 1:13-14>: 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2) Both putting off and putting on at the same time.

* Ultimate GOAL of sanctification is Christlikeness.

* <James 4:17>: If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

*  <Ro 14:23>: Everything that does not come from faith is sin.

3) The ACT of Sanctification

* Beware of false Piety

* Putting off the old man is not something to pray about but to act upon.

* Important to THINK, and then to APPLY the teaching of Sanctification.

* Putting off the old man is not an EXPERIENCE which you receive.

* Deliverance? Let go and let God?

* <Eph 2:10> Become God’s workmanship – Regeneration.

* <Php 2:12> Work out your salvation with fear and trembling – Sanctification.

* Easy believism leads to easy sanctification.

Practical Aspect of Sanctification

1) Remind ourselves of who we are and what we are.

“I am no longer the old man, but the new man”.

2) Christian counsellors – To be careful of only wanting to appear nice.

3) Practically putting off the old man.

* <Eph 5:11>: Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.

* <Ro 13:14>, “make no provision for the flesh.

* <Job 31:1,7>: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman”… ; if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes…

* <Ro 8:13>: Put to death the misdeeds of the body

* <Col 3:5>: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

* <1 Cor 9:26-27>: 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Reflection

1) Do you think believers these days are praying, yet not thinking and applying the word?
2) Which one do you struggle with? Putting off the man? Or putting on the new man?