Over the past while I have been writing
on the ways Jesus Christ helps Christians grow in holiness or sanctification.
Here is what we have covered so
far…
1. Christ in us makes us a new creation (2
Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:23)
2. Christ together with the Father has sent to
us the Holy Spirit, and 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)
3. Jesus Christ changes us to want holiness. God by Christ working in us gives us is the
freedom, and argument, and motive for us to live obediently. If Jesus is in our lives we will want to obey. (Philippians 2:6-8)
4. Jesus Christ is our mould for holiness. According
to the will and purpose of God, he is our copy and our example of
holiness. He in his humanity and
divinity sets before the pattern and
path of Christian holiness. (Look at 1
Peter 1:15 and 1 Peter 2:21)
5. Jesus Christ nourishes us in holiness. (John
15:1-15)
We come to discuss another way in
the entry today. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 we
have this Word from God. “Since we have
these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body
and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." (ESV). Jesus has given us these promises. Jesus helps us in our sanctification for he
has given us great and precious promises.
What are those promises? They are the promises given in connection with
the New Covenant he installed in this world at the cross. Let me mention 4 that
pertain to holiness in the Christian.
One. God’s law is written on our hearts by the Spirit (Hebrews 8:10;
Jeremiah 31:33)
Two. In Christ we are God’s people, and God is our God (Hebrews 8:10;
Jeremiah 31:33)
Three. Because Jesus is our great High Priest who died on the cross as our
sacrifice he is our Mediator who promises to always intercede for us and help
us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Four.
Christians are given the hope of the glory of God! This hope produces holiness in the Christian’s
life (Romans 5:1-5).
Because these promises are
secured and given to the believer through Christ, holiness will grow in the
believer. Of course we do not all grow
to Christian maturity or holiness at the same rate; and sometimes we don’t seem
to grow at all, but grow we will because Christ Jesus has given us precious
growing-in-holiness-promises.
No comments:
Post a Comment