TOPIC 18 OF 47
Sanctification
United to Christ, we grow in the life of the Holy Spirit.
THE MAIN TRUTH
When the Holy Spirit converts us to a repentant faith in Christ, he sanctifies us—he “makes us holy and dedicates us”—by uniting us to Christ so that we may share in the life of the Triune God.
The teaching
From the book · pages 54–56
When the Holy Spirit converts us to a repentant faith in Christ, he sanctifies us—he “makes us holy and dedicates us”—by uniting us to Christ so that we may share in the life of the Triune God. Then we live in the image of Jesus as we love God and love our neighbor. Joined to Christ Jesus, faith is living and active as the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. He works to sanctify and dedicate us increasingly to the Father by creating in us new, holy desires to do good works that conform to God’s Law for his glory.
Though tainted by sin, our works are pleasing to God on account of Christ’s righteousness. We still have a sinful flesh in a corrupt world influenced by Satan. We experience a daily battle between our new spirit and our sinful flesh. The Devil seeks to destroy our faith by tempting us toward unrepentant sin and leading us away from Christ. Faith needs to be nourished, or it will weaken.
The Gospel of Jesus, Baptism into him, and Communion with his body and blood are the means of God’s grace. The Spirit works through these means to sanctify us by giving us faith and producing the fruit of love, joy, peace, and the other virtues of Christ’s life in us.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
Read the calls to holy living in the light of belonging to Christ. The Spirit produces active love amid a continuing struggle with sin, sustaining us through the Gospel.
15 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
2 Thessalonians 2:13 ↗
“. . . God chose you from the beginning for salvation by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
Book page 55
SCRIPTURE 02
1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 8:29 ↗
“But because of [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us the wisdom from God, namely, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” “. . . conformed to the image of his Son. . .”
Book page 55
SCRIPTURE 03
John 14:19-20 ↗
[Jesus:] “Because I live, you also will live . . . you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
Book page 55
SCRIPTURE 04
Romans 8:9-11; 15:16 ↗
“. . . you are not in the sinful flesh but in the spirit, if indeed God’s Spirit lives in you . . . if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but your spirit is alive because of righteousness . . . the Spirit . . . dwells in you.” “. . . sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”
Book page 55
SCRIPTURE 05
John 15:5,9,12 ↗
“I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him is the one who bears much fruit, because without me you can do nothing . . . Remain in my love . . . hold on to my commands . . . Love one another. . .”
Book page 55
SCRIPTURE 06
2 Peter 1:4 ↗
“. . . he has given us his precious and great promises so that through them you may share in the divine nature. . .”
Book page 55
SCRIPTURE 07
2 Corinthians 5:17 ↗
“So, then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come!”
Book page 55
SCRIPTURE 08
1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ↗
“. . . those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, who are called as saints [holy ones] . . .” “May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. . .”
Book page 56
SCRIPTURE 09
Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31 ↗
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works . . .” “. . . it is faith working through love that matters.” “. . . do everything to the glory of God.”
Book page 56
SCRIPTURE 10
Galatians 5:16-17; 1 Peter 2:11 ↗
“. . . Walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out what the sinful flesh desires. For the sinful flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful flesh.” “. . . abstain from the desires of the flesh which wage war against your soul.”
Book page 56
SCRIPTURE 11
1 Peter 5:8 ↗
“Be alert. Your adversary, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Book page 56
SCRIPTURE 13
2 Corinthians 9:8 ↗
“God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that . . . you will overflow in every good work.”
Book page 56
SCRIPTURE 14
Galatians 5:22-23 ↗
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Book page 56
SCRIPTURE 15
1 Corinthians 6:11 ↗
“…you were sanctified…in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.”
Book page 56
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
How does union with Christ come before growth in holy living?
Why should the struggle with sin lead us back to the Gospel rather than despair?
What act of love is the Spirit calling you to practice?
A prayer
Holy Spirit, renew us through the Gospel of Jesus. Strengthen us against temptation and produce in us the love and good works that serve our neighbors. Amen.