Sanctification

How many of us really understand the term salvation? We cannot afford to be wrong on this doctrine. Salvation has three aspects: •Justification, • SANCTIFICATION - the focus of this sermon, and • Glorification
Sanctification always follows justification (fruit). The difference between justification and sanctification (J. MacArthur)
- Justification • declares believers righteous • occurs outside sinners •is an event
- Sanctification • imparts righteousness to believers personally and practically • eternal and changes the believers state •is a process
While the two are distinct, they are inseparable. You can't say you are united in Christ but you're living a carnal life. Sanctification is becoming Christ-like as purposed by God. Sanctification is predetermined by God from eternity past (Romans 8:28-30).
"Work out" your salvation does not mean that we work to earn our salvation but to continually work out what we already have—our salvation—and to "press on" towards the goal of Christlikeness. The same God who created and sustains the universe takes residence in us, powerful, and constantly at work in us.
Do we think God will fail to accomplish this? Not a chance! Do we have the assurance of salvation? We work out our salvation by going to the very source of our salvation—Jesus. We come into His presence with a spirit of reverence and awe.