Sanctification Part 2: Two things Jesus does for our sanctification.

In the last blog entry I defined and described the work of sanctification which God has started in all people he has redeemed by his beloved Son.  Simply, sanctification is the work of God's grace in our lives to make us more Christ-like.

Ok, the question then comes up, "How or in what way does Christ help us in sanctification?"  As mention in the previous post, we want to answer that question.  I will give two answers today.

1.  Christ in us makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:23).  In other words Jesus helps us in sanctification by making us new.  This new creation he works in us by the Spirits power when we believe. Being new in Christ brings us the promise that we are partakers of God's nature.  So we will be fruitful in good works (Colossians 1:10), abound in the graces of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:8), and be vessels of honor and glory (2 Timothy 2:21).  Jesus Christ has each of these things.  He is the sinless full of grace and truth...and being renewed after his image means growing in grace and truth.

2.  Christ together with the Father has sent to us the Holy Spirit.  The work of sanctification is constructed, built, and directed in us by the Holy Spirit.  Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Galatians 5).  In John's gospel, chapters 14 to 16, our Lord gives then promises and works of the Spirit and they all are geared toward making us enjoy God and be holy.  The Spirit comforts, teaches, convicts, and is present with us.  And he is the gift of Christ.  What better gift could Jesus give than God to bring sanctification to us.