Christ Our Sanctifier (Part 1)
Christ Our Sanctifier (Part 1)
By John Soper
November 13, 2008
The heart of The Alliance is the Fourfold Gospel, which focuses on Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. I want to continue our C&MA DNA discussion on the second part of our core theology: Jesus our Sanctifier.
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30) NKJV
The Bible teaches three tenses of salvation:
• I have been saved: Justification
• I am being saved: Sanctification
• I will be saved: Glorification
Sanctification means separation.
• Separation from sin: "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:15-16.
• Separation to God: "(He) has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father…" Revelation 1:6.
We read in John 1:29, 33 that Jesus is
• "the one who is taking away the sin of the world…"
• "the one who is baptizing with the Holy Spirit."
Two realities—two experiences. All Christians understand the first promise. But many Christians do not understand the experience of the second. It is the experience of Christ's sanctifying work in a believer's life. For those who neither understand nor allow for the Spirit's control in their lives, the results will have profound effect. Ongoing and unsuccessful struggle against sin and a lack of power in life and ministry frustrates the believer. Doubts creep in about the assurance of salvation; there is a lack of joy in the walk with Christ.
Pneumatology "101." In the context of the following Scriptures, the Greek word for Spirit is pneuma.
• Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9).
• Many Christians are not (and never have been) filled with the Holy Spirit. "…be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18).
Two realities—two experiences. With the decision to believe Christ is Savior, the One who was sacrificed for the sin of the world, the believer is immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The believer who forsakes the flesh, allowing the Spirit's infilling, experiences victory and deliverance not only from the penalty of sin because Christ's righteousness is imputed to him. The Christian who is filled with the Christ's Spirit knows deliverance from the power of sin as Christ's righteousness is imparted to him.
Not only does the follower of Christ experience freedom from eternal death because Jesus lives in him but also freedom to live an abundant life in the present because Jesus lives through him. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit he is equipped to fight the temptations of the future.
A Sad Reality.
• Most American Christians show little evidence in their lives that they have been separated from sin.
• Most American Christians behave in ways that make it difficult to believe that they have been "set apart" for the service of God.
YOUGOTTAWANNA!
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"C&MA DNA: Jesus Only." Part 1 of 2. Used by permission. www.CMalliance.org. For further study, see How to Abide, by A.B. Simpson: www.gracenotebook.com/pub/49 Grace Fellowship is an international discipleship, counseling, and training training ministry. (GFI does not charge fees for counseling, but is supported through tax deductible contributions. In Canada, through http://www.CrossWaystoLife.org.) To request resources or inquire about hosting a conference, please contact us: john@gracenotebook.com. Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward, Subscribe to receive Grace Notes for free!
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Christ Our Sanctifier (Part 2) by John Soper
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