TEXT: Philippians 2:12-18 (CSB) – “Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.”
Paul is giving us a very good picture of the Biblical Doctrine of Sanctification. Doctrine – I hate to study doctrine you say. Doctrine simply means teaching. We are going to study briefly the Biblical teaching or instruction on the topic of Sanctification.
Sanctification? Sanctification is the process of setting apart or the state of being set apart – for God and from the world. We will look today at the definition of Sanctification, and tomorrow, we will look at the description of Sanctification.
“Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The Living Bible puts it this way, “You must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease Him.” And, in the Phillips translation of the New Testament we see, “Complete the salvation that has given you with a proper sense of awe and responsibility.”
This is in reference to Sanctification, a big theological term that has importance to each and every one of us. So, for what we are seeing, the definition of Sanctification is the process of setting apart, or state of being set apart, for God and from the world.
In Theological study, there are three stages of sanctification. Simply, the Past, the Present, and the Future.
The past part is called Conversion. It is instantaneous. It happens at the moment of our acceptance of Jesus Christ. It is a once-for-ever transaction. At this time our spirit is set apart eternally for God. We are freed from the PENALTY of sin.
The future part deals with the Coming of Christ. It is at this point we have the completion of the process. We are in Jesus’ presence and we are changed – freed from sin and perfected in holiness. This is entire, complete, wanting nothing – we become like Christ in all things. We are freed from the PRESENCE of sin.
That leaves the Present, and this is what Paul is referring to in this passage. As we strive daily in the power of God’s Spirit to control our souls – minds, wills, and emotions. This is the day-to-day battle against the sin-nature. And, by the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us, we can have daily victories in the battles. In other words – we are freed from the POWER of sin.
Tomorrow, as we continue in this passage, let us see a description of Sanctification – God’s part and Our part.
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