Sovereignty And The Process Of Sanctification

Last week we talked about God’s sovereignty and salvation: His hand in and His heart for His creation. When we understand God’s sovereignty, we can face the future with courage because His plans for us are good and perfect in every way. Though we are responsible for our choices and will answer for our decisions, He will accomplish everything He has ordained for this world.

Today, we will be talking about God’s sovereignty and the work of sanctification. What do I mean by sanctification? The word in the original Greek simply means ‘being set apart to God.’ There are three aspects of sanctification: 1. Positional sanctification, 2. Progressive sanctification, and 3. Permanent sanctification.

The moment anyone places their trust in Christ as their Savior they experience positional sanctification. The person has a new immediate standing where their destiny, identity, and purpose is now on a completely different trajectory. At the moment of salvation, God immediately sanctifies us or sets us apart for Himself, taking us out of the kingdom or rule of darkness and into His kingdom realm. Progressive sanctification is the lifelong process of being transformed into who we were created to be. Permanent sanctification happens once we receive our glorified bodies and are free from sin and death for all of eternity.

Today, we will be focusing on the progressive aspect of sanctification and looking at a passage from the book of Philippians. This aspect of sanctification is a lifelong process that happens as we walk with God personally and in community with other Christians.

Philippians 2:12-18

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me (ESV).

Paul, who was writing to the church in Philippi, was both commending them for how they were following the Lord and exhorting them to continue living out their faith in their secular surroundings. He was teaching the church what it looks like to be set apart for Christ and His purposes. As Jesus laid down His life for the church, He was setting an example for us to die to ourselves and lay down our lives for others.

What does it mean to mature in the faith - to grow in sanctification? How are we being set apart to God as a church? Today we will be talking about God’s sovereignty and the:

Purpose of Sanctification

Process of Sanctification

Practice of Sanctification

1. The Purpose of Sanctification

The purpose of sanctification can be compared to the TV show, Extreme Home Makeover, where home experts are invited into someone’s sub-par, substandard housing situation. They are usually in this type of housing situation because of some tragic life circumstance. These experts see what the place is like but have a vision for what the place can actually become. So they begin their demolition work, ripping down walls, removing old paint, wallpapers, wiring, pipes etc. This is a very popular show. Why? Because everyone loves a good makeover; we’re amazed by the before and after shots and love the response of the homeowner whose place has been totally transformed into a place of beauty and rest. The purpose of this show is to make it clear to the viewer that no matter what shape the home may be in, in the right hands, it can be transformed.

God also loves a good makeover! Once we invite Him into our lives, the Master Builder begins to dismantle the old edifice of our lives - removing the rotted and corroded things and lays a new and everlasting foundation (1 Cor 3:11). He then begins to build our lives up from the foundation, using eternal building materials, filling each room with His precious and pleasant riches and treasures, so that our lives begin to reflect the handiwork of our Savior. God has a vision of what our lives can become but it will take time, effort, resources, and constant maintenance. The house will be subject to the elements, to wear and tear, and maybe even to occasional earthquakes. The purpose of sanctification, no matter who you are or where you have come from, is to transform you, conform you into Christ’s image so that you reflect His life more and more. When we place our lives into the hands of God He begins the process of transformation and it is a work in progress. One scholar said: