Sanctification: We Get To Participate

We continue our look at the Three Phases of Salvation, focusing in on Sanctification.

When we are sanctified we are going through a process of becoming Christ-like. This is where we respond to an ongoing work of the Lord. The response on our part is obedience in faith.

Sanctification - An opportunity to grow, stumble, recover and then continue to grow.

It's important to note, that all phases of salvation, Justification, Sanctification and Glorification, are done in faith and the growth is from the Lord.

In sanctification we grow in Christ through obedience done in faith. 

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit [Rob: Justification] and soul [Rob: Sanctification] and body [Rob: Glorification] be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB

Becoming Christ-like 

What we see in this stage is an opportunity to grow, stumble, recover and then continue to grow. In our relationship with the Lord, even though we are separated from the power of sin, it is common that we do fall into sin. When we do, this sin does not have the effect of taking us "out of Christ."

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. - 1 John 2:1-2 NLT

Our Justification never changes.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand. - John 10:27-29 NLT

When we do sin after we are born again, we become ineffective. We stop bearing fruit. We halt our growth in the Lord and begin to walk out of the blessings the Lord is providing. We lose our peace or our joy. We may hide from our Christian brothers and sisters because we feel guilty.

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5 NLT

We may begin to hide a behavior or a mistake instead of making the situation right. During this time we stunt our growth until we get right with the Lord. Therefore, we need a mechanism to recover. The Lord has provided a wonderful solution to do this.

It is called repentance!

How Can We Be Effective?

So let's learn and understand the process of repentance so we can go from sin to obedience in the shortest time possible. Let's not drift away for years, being ineffective. Let's recover appropriately and as quickly as possible.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. - 1 John 1:8-9 NLT
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. - 2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB

More to come when we look at the Process of Repentance...

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Take Action!

Can I lose my salvation?

This is one topic that is highly debated among very smart and sincere Christians. In The Cool Zone teaches that salvation, that is to say, justification, the reborn spirit of a Christian, cannot be lost or undone.

Sanctification is growing in the Lord. As we learn to love and obey the commands of God, we become more like Him. It is a work in the soul of a man. We will fall in this phase of salvation but we have a means of recovery. It is repentance.

Glorification is the work in the body of a Christian. When we see Jesus, we will be like Him. We put on our new body.


Here are few resources for follow up:

Please, add your thoughts in the comment section.

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Concept: “Sanctification is God's work in the soul of man.”


In The Cool Zone concept. Think like Jesus thinks.

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