The 2 Fold Cord Of Sanctification- Growing In Christlikeness
Colossians 1:11-15AMP
11 [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.
13 For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].
15 He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.
Verse 15KJV again, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
In these 5 verses of this mornings text, we can spot two different works. Both are works of grace called sanctification. The first work-of-the -spirit comes upon the believer as he or she gives their life over to Jesus (being born-again), this first manifestation of Christian growth brings an initial sanctification, or holiness. It transpires instantly at the moment of salvation.
Again, This first-fold-cord-of-sanctification takes place the moment you’re born-again. That is God sees you-holy-complete, you are sanctified!
Colossians 2:9-10NIV For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. (completion) He is the head over every power and authority.
Say, “Instant sanctification.” Upon salvation, Jesus made you heaven ready.
It’s the humble-broken-you, verses the God of the Universe who sent His only Son to become your substitute.
Again, think about this fact, Right this very moment, “Gods sees you complete, and ready for eternity.”
2 Corinthians 5:21TLB For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!
What an exchange! Jesus’ goodness- His grace and righteousness, for our sins.
Again verse 13, He has rescued us, and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.
From darkness to light. 1 Peter 2:9NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
What does this mean? It means upon the giving of your heart to Jesus, you are made perfect through Jesus Christ.
In other words, “What can wash away my sin?’ ‘Nothing but the blood of Jesus, What can make me whole again?’ ‘Nothing but the blood of Jesus.’ ‘Oh Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow, No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” “This is all my hope and peace Nothing but the blood of Jesus This is all my righteousness Nothing but the blood of Jesus.’ ‘Oh Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow, No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
The Bible declares in Hebrews 9:18-22NASB And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Say this, “Upon Salvation, Jesus sanctified me, or He made me holy!”
Think about the thief on the cross. He yelled out, “Jesus remember me in Your Kingdom.” Jesus stated, “This very day you shall be with Me in paradise.”
Perfect holiness, which is ours by virtue of our union with Jesus, who is perfectly holy.
Secondly, upon salvation and afterwards there is progressive sanctification.
Verses 11-12 of the text found in Colossians chapter 1, speak of our actions after salvation.
What you’re seeing in verses 11-12, according to Colossians 1, Is that your christian growth brings strength and power, so you may attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy.
In fact, knowledge of your growth equals God’s abundant fruit. God has called you to bear fruit.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18NASB But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
After studying this one verse for over an hour, and reading the Greek along with the different tenses involved through out. That is, In Christ we go from one degree of glory, or revealing (the Greek indicates, it’s always a good degree of grace upon grace) onto another degree of revealing.
Our faces are not veiled; therefore, the world should see the gospel of Christ reflecting through us from one degree of glory to another; from one degree of grace to another degree of grace!
Paul is actually saying here, That we are growing from the Old Covenant, into the New covenant. Law verses grace, works verses rest.
God say’s, “I see you whole, I see you heaven ready, but for now, work on you, and help others develop.”
So what is progressive sanctification? In layman terms. “It’s ‘me’ allowing the Holy Spirit to grow and develop my-entire-being through difficulties, trails, heartache, the highs and the lows of life and even death.’ ‘It’s allowing the Holy Spirit full-rein in my life.’ ‘In return, this progressive sanctification continues to grow me, while outwardly, I’m fruitful to others as well.” P.H
Jesus spoke about progressive sanctification when he was asked by a Pharisee, “What was the greatest of all commandments?”
Mark 12:30-31NKJV And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
This is progressive Sanctification. Loving God and loving others. And this my friend is what you’ll work on for the rest of your life.
Consider, for example, the list of Christlike character traits found in Galatians 5:22-23 and Colossians 3:12-15.
Galatians 5:22-23 Colossians 3:12-15
(I eliminated 5 duplications in these two list).
*Love *Compassion
*Joy *Kindness
*Peace *Humility
*Patience *Gentleness
*Goodness *Forbearance
*Faithfulness *Forgiveness
Self-control *Thankfulness
(Source: Jerry Bridges- Amazing Grace)
“Remember that this Mighty Divine Fruit begins to manifest when I yield my soul and body to the Holy Spirit.” P.H
Philippians 2:13NKJV… for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
So if someone asks you if you’re sanctified,
You can truthfully tell them yes, and no.
“Yes, God sees me holy and completely sanctified.”
“However, the Holy Spirit has a full-time job working these divine actions of His fruit in me for the rest of my life.” P.H
Jesus said in John 13:35NIV By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Before we pray, Think about this fact, The two greatest commandments are to love upward and love across.
As you stay (remain) in Jesus Christ, He’s promised you the Holy Spirit, and He will help you in every area of your life.
Until Jesus returns, “You want to know what this world’s all about?’ ‘Love God and love man.” P.H
Benediction.
