The Holy Spirit in Sanctification: Part 3
Memory Passage
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does
not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature
cannot please God.
Romans 8:7-8
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-17
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Insights
"Romans 8:29: 'Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to
the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.'
Christ-likeness is the end in view; sanctification is the transformation which
produces it. Now 'I am the Lord who sanctifies you' becomes 'I am Jesus who
by my Spirit will transform you into my likeness'. 'Be holy, because I am holy'
means 'You belong to God's family; Jesus Christ is your Elder Brother; his Spirit
dwells in you, enabling you to follow in his footsteps; be like him'. Holiness is
Christ-likeness. As the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit is the agent of this
transformation." -Sinclair Ferguson, The Spirit of Holiness
Consider this!
The process of sanctification becomes a journey of holiness. As stated, it is
done within the relational context of belonging to God's family. We are not on
this journey alone. With Christ as our Elder brother (the firstborn among many
brothers) and the Spirit dwelling within us, we are enabled by the Spirit to
follow. To be enabled to follow suggests that desire is truly the work of the
Holy Spirit, and our willingness to follow is our response. It is through this
process that spiritual transformation takes place. We are led and thus
compelled, not coerced and then obligated. The process of sanctification is
accomplished through the work of Christ and His Spirit in the context of
relationship with God and other believers.
Personal Reflection
- Describe your current relationship with Christ.
- Do you have a desire to become more Christ-like? That desire is coming from
the Holy Spirit. Describe your desire.
- Write a prayer that reflects your response to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
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