LESSON ON FAITH ( PART 10) | THE THREE STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION: (PART 3)

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3204

LESSON ON FAITH ( PART 10)

THE THREE STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION: (PART 3)

2. PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is a three-stage process – past, present, and future. The first stage occurs at the beginning of our Christian lives. It is an initial moral change, a break from the power and love of sin. It is the point at which believers can count themselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11). Once sanctification has begun, we are no longer under sin’s dominion (Romans 6:14). There is a reorientation of desires, and we develop a love of righteousness. Paul calls it “slavery to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

The second stage of sanctification requires a lifetime to complete. As we grow in grace, we are gradual – but steadily – changing to be more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). This occurs in a process of daily spiritual renewal (Colossians 3:10). The apostle Paul himself was being sanctified even as he ministered to others. Paul claimed that he had not reached perfection, but that he “pressed on” to attain everything Christ desired for him (Philippians 3:12).

Sanctification differs from justification in several ways. Justification is a one-time work of God, resulting in a declaration of “not guilty” before Him because of the work of Christ on the cross. Sanctification is a process, beginning with justification and continuing throughout life. Justification is the starting point of the line that represents one’s Christian life; sanctification is the line itself.

ABBA FATHER, Progressive Sanctification is what gradually separates the people of God from the world and makes them more and more like Jesus Christ.

It is not easy and often painful to disengage from the world where the devil holds sway (1 John 5:19 ) But thanks to the presence and greater power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in us and the understanding that we are in Christ and He in us, we can press on single-mindedly towards the mark of our high calling in Christ who is true "the hope of glory".

Col.1:27

"to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory".