CHRISTIAN
FAMILY FELLOWSHIP. MUSCAT
TOPIC: THE SANCTIFIEID LIFE. (GENERAL TEXTS: I Thessalonians 4: 3-4; 5: 23)
INTRODUCTION
There has been much apparent
numerical success in Christendom, but our Christian witness and effectiveness
is severely weakened by mismatches between our words and works. The heart lies
at the root of every action of man. Since after the fall, the heart inherited
by man is so inbred with unrighteousness that even after salvation, there is
such intense struggle to lead a bible-based life. This is the reason for all
the disappointments today - immorality, financial scandal or even open quarrels
and fights? Simply because many have not allowed the grace of God to deal with
the root of the problem. They struggle to keep pure - but one day are
overwhelmed by the inward pressure and fall!! and like Lot’s wife look back
unto eternal perdition. But God has not left us without a solution, but made
provision for us to partake of His divine nature - the sanctified life.
The bible teaches that men
commit actual sins as a result of an indwelling sinful depraved nature, which
manifests in a debased heart disposition.
Qu. 1. In the passages,
describe the names for this sinful nature: Ram 6:6; 7:17; 8:7.
Here lies the problem. At salvation,
God forgives every sin. We are saved and entitled to eternal life, old things
are passed away - no more outward sins
but inner battles exist; we sing “take the world and give me Jesus”, but our
hearts still long for the world.
Qu. 2. Why all these struggles within? Mt 15: 18-19;
Rom 7:17; Ps 51: 5. NB the sinner does not have the power to even struggle, he
is already a captor Job 15: 16.
Qu. 3.
Freely discuss the inward baffle areas of Christians and does it matter if we
continue struggling with this sinful nature? (To God, Satan, us) I Pet 1:15-16;
Heb 12:12-17; I Car 10: 1-6. This heart problem is a serious matter. Many
Christians may not make it to the end
any hope?
GOD’S PROVISION. II Pet
1:4; I Thesa 4: 3-4; 5: 23.
God has provided the means by
which we can partake of His divine holy nature - the way of sanctification. A Christian
can only lead the sanctified life if he has experienced the second work of
grace, namely sanctification. Sanctification is the “act or operation of God’s
grace subsequent to salvation by which the affections
of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world and exalted to a supreme love for God the
heart and life brought into conformity with Gods will”. This work of
sanctification is wrapped up in the grace package Jesus secured for all
believers.
Qu. 4. What
is the central focus of Jesus’s prayer in Jn 17: 15-17?
EXPERIENCIN6 THE SANCTIFIED LIFE. Tit
2: 11-14; Deut 30: 6; Cal 2:11
The sanctified life is made
holy, free from the corruption and pollution of the root of sin. It is now
ready to be set apart for sacred use. It can now enjoy the matchless beauty of
the Christian life, it experiences real oneness with its spiritual and physical
families Cal 3: 3-24. The old man is destroyed, the root of sin is removed; the
new man is put on - he is free indeed. There is perfect love (the heart bleeds
with love for God whatever betides Hab 3: 17-19), perfect peace, fullness of
joy (not intermittent or circumstantial happiness). At salvation, we serve God
because of fear of hell fire, but the sanctified life serves God because it
loves Him.
Qu. 5. What do we learn from the example of
Abraham? Gen 17;1. 23-26
Conclusion. Joshua 5: 1-3, 8-9, I Thesa 5:
23a
Who is willing to receive this
blessing? Every truly saved soul should desire to be pure in heart, be made
wholly clean and entirely holy. When such earnest desire drives us on our knees
and pray with faith, God sanctifies. Lets not remain as we are and tolerate a
life that is not sanctified. Desire and hunger for a change, submit yourself
and start praying today - do not stop until you receive the blessing.