In recent sermons, Pastor Pauley exhorted us to aspire to live holier lives, no matter what the circumstances entail. Believers in Christ are to live a life that is consistently and continuously growing with honor, pleasure and satisfaction to our Lord! There is a form of sanctification (positional) that commences the moment God regenerates someone. It is a supernatural act that occurs instantaneous. According to the ISBE Dictionary, positional sanctification is defined: “To consecrate; set apart; to make “holy”. Therefore the consecration or setting apart of an individual is a divine act by God which He bestows only upon those He chooses for salvation.
However, sanctification is not just a state of being. It is a progressive pattern of life. It is the form of sanctification or holiness that Pastor Pauley has been preaching about, and what my article will attempt to convey. Theologian Charles Hodge concisely stated: “Progressive sanctification…involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration…and by faith, embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm.”
Charles Hodge went on to say: “Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; James 3:2)!” Let us not forget the Apostle Paul’s self-indicting account in Romans 7:15-25. Paul states in verse 24: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” However, it is assuring to also know, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). So in essence, our Lord helps us gain victory from the slavery of sin. And even though sin is still very much present in us, we, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, can triumph from the subjugation of iniquity. And all of this was made possible by the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary!
It was Jesus Christ who prayed His high-priestly prayer to His heavenly Father for His disciples: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). And His prayer also encompassed ALL believers: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (John 17:20). In these verses He was imploring His Father to set them apart by revelation of the truth. So, just how can truth help us attain victory over temptations or sinful behavior? Here are a few ways we can increase holiness:
1) By earnestly searching the Scriptures for Biblical answers to life’s problems (Act 17:11).
2) By holding all thoughts captive to the word of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).
3) By abiding in the word of God (Psalm 119:1-4; 119:9-10; John 15:1-10).
4) By avoiding people or things that do not edify us, but rather drag us down in our spiritual lives (Proverbs 4:14-15; 12:26; 14:7; 22:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 1 Timothy 6:6-11).
Additionally, it is the Holy Spirit who instructs us in all things (1 Corinthians 2:13; Luke 12:12). And the means He uses to accomplish this is when we read God’s Word. By constantly reading the Bible, saturating our minds with its contents, and by doing what it teaches, we can drastically lessen sin in our lives, and thus live more holy lives, equipped to do God’s will. Furthermore, when we do God’s will, we give Him honor and glory which is our mandate for this earthly life! Incidentally, we are commanded to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers only (James 1:22).
Even though sin abounds in us and we NEVER can attain holiness to absolute perfection, God still embraces us as His beloved children! To which nothing can EVER separate us from His love (Romans 8:39)! I close by quoting the Apostle Paul: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). What an incredible promise given to us by God’s grace. A promise which ought to impel us to rejoice and stir up zeal within, and to live HOLIER and more sanctified lives! Amen!
Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew