Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 17
Lesson 17:
The Doctrine of Sanctification
(God’s Work and Ours)
1. God’s purpose in doing everything He did in the Old Testament is ultimately our sanctification. His purpose when He sent forth His Son made of a woman under the law was still our sanctification. Everything God has done about us and our has it’s end and object of our sanctification.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, Galatians 4:4
2. As Christians we are joined to Christ and all the benefits of this union are mine. God’s purpose in the whole of salvation, in everything He has done in His Son and by the Holy Spirit is our sanctification. Sanctification is the end of the whole process of salvation.
3. To truly seek forgiveness means we have seen something of the holiness of God and the holiness of God’s law. We see ourselves as sinners.
4. The end of all evangelism should be to reconcile men and women to God, and to separate them unto Him.
5. There is one reason, and one reason only why we all should be Sanctified and Holy:
Not that we may be happy, Nor that we may get rid of our problems, BUT because God is holy, because we are God’s people, because Christ has died for us and purchased us with His blood. We do not belong to ourselves. We have no right to live a sinful life.
6. The moment I am born again and have received the Holy Spirit, this process of separating me has already started, and I cannot be regenerate without the process of sanctification having already started to work within me.
7. The conflict between the flesh and the Spirit has already begun and that is the fight to separate us from the world and unto God.
8. Regeneration is entirely the action of God. Justification is God pronouncing us to be just and righteous. Adoption is God’s declaration to us that we are His children. Repentance and faith are works started by the Holy Spirit leading us to confess our sins and repent.
9. Sanctification is God’s work from the beginning to the end. It is something that is started by God, continued by God, and is perfected by God Himself. Sanctification is the work of God in us, through and by the Holy Spirit.
Next Lesson: The Mighty Process of the Holy Spirit
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 16
The Doctrine of Sanctification
(Being Declared Holy)
1. Sanctification is what God does about sin in the life of the believer. It means to set apart of God and for His service (Exodus 28:29). Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews His whole nature in the image of God and enables Him to perform good works.
2. Sanctification is IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. God looks at us in our sin and applies to us the righteousness of Christ and DECLARES US TO BE JUST.
3. To set apart is separation from everything that is profane or unclean or impure. It means anything that is devoted entirely to God, presented to God that He may use it for His service. John 10:36
4. Being set apart for God does not make us holy, we are REGARDED as holy. It means a certain work of purification and cleansing goes on within us, which makes us conform more and more to the Lord Jesus Christ and changes us into His image from glory to glory.
5. What is our position as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ?
a. We have a new nature.
b. We are born again.
c. We are in union with Christ.
d. We are DECLARED TO BE RIGHTEOUS.
e. We are adopted into the family of God.
f. We still have sin in our lives. We have not suddenly been made perfect.
5. Sanctification is God’s way of dealing with the problem of sin and our regeneration and justification. Sanctification must always be in regards to our relationship to God, our standing in His presence.
Next Lesson: Sanctification, God’s Work and Ours
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 15
Lesson 15: The Doctrine of Adoption
Justification leads to Adoption
Romans 8:15,23, 9:4
1. Adoption is the transfer from one family to another and the placing of one who has been transferred as a son or daughter in the new (second) family.
2. Adoption is that judicial act of God by which He confers or bestows upon us the status or the standing of His children. Adoption is a distinct work of the Holy Spirit in the application of redemption. As children of God, we are introduced into and given the privilege that belongs only to members of God’s family.
a. We enjoy the present protection and consolation which only God alone can give.
b. We enjoy the provisions that He makes for His children (nothing can happen to us apart from Him. Hebrews 13:5
c. We receive fatherly chastisement–If we are children of God, He is determined to bring us to glory and if we will not listen to His leading and His teaching, He will chastise us because He loves us and because we are His children.
3. Jesus stands alone as the Son of God. When we are born we are born into the family of Adam (man’s representative). When were are born again (justified), we are adopted into God’s family. Galatians 3:6, 1 Peter 1:3-6, Romans 8:14-15, Romans 8:38-39
a. Galatians 4:4-5—When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law-for this reason– ‘to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.’
4. In becoming the children of God we do not become identical with the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God by generation; we are the sons (and daughters) of God by adoption. John 20:17
5. Further Explanation:
In justification, God declares us to be righteous. He declares our sins forgiven and He accepts the righteousness of Christ which He has put upon us.
In Regeneration we are given a new nature, we become partakers of the divine nature. We become new creations.
Adoption is a combination of justification and regeneration. It is the new creature in a new relationship to God–as a child of God.
6. We are saved unto this adoption of children–Not merely forgiven, not merely declared righteous, not merely with a new nature. We are declared to be the children of God, the sons (and daughters) of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ. (What good news!!!!!!)
Next Lesson: What God does about sin in the life of the believer (Sanctification)
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 14
Lesson 14: Justification by Faith(2)
This is the key to the Christian Faith, so make sure you have a good understanding of Justification by Faith. Please read all the scriptures associated with justification by faith as noted below.
1. There are two elements of Justification by Faith
a. The whole world is guilty before God. We all need to be forgiven. Something must be done about our guilt. Therefore the first element (or step) in justification is that we are assured by the work of Christ that our sins are covered and therefore they are blotted out. Our sins are forgiven. However, justification does not stop at forgiveness.
b. In addition to our sins being forgiven, we have put to our account the positive righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus kept the law, He honored it, and therefore He is righteous. He met the demands of God’s law. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, God puts the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ to our account.
2. We are justified by the righteousness of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30
3. Many people believe they can justify themselves by their works, their lives, and their actions. Abraham is the father of faith. His actions did not save Him, His faith in God saved Him. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to his as righteousness. Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6, James 2:23.
4. There is a distinct difference between Justification and Sanctification. Justification is an act of God the Father. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is God, the Father who declares us righteous and just. It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies.
a. Justification takes place outside of us.
b. Sanctification takes place within us.
c. Justification removes the guilt of sin.
d. Sanctification removes the pollution of sin and renews us in the image of God.
e. Justification is a once and for all act never to be repeated. It is not a process.
f. Sanctification is a continuous process . We continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Our faith does not constitute our righteousness. We look to Christ, not to ourselves, not to our faith. Our righteousness is ENTIRELY in the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing that God has imputed (ascribed righteous to someone by virtue of a similar quality in another) Jesus Christ’s righteousness to us, we can be certain that all is well between.
God and all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Next Lesson: The Doctrine of Adoption
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 13
Lesson 13: Justification by Faith (1)
This is the key to the Christian Faith, so make sure you have a good understanding of Justification by Faith. Please read all the scriptures associated with justification by faith as noted below.
1. Justification is a judicial act of God in which He declares that He regards those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as righteous on the grounds of the work and merits of Jesus Christ.
2. God imputes and ascribes Christ’s righteousness to us, and we rest on that by faith. God declares me righteous, and I am righteous because God says so. He has put to my account the righteousness of my Lord Jesus Christ.
3. I am NOT MADE RIGHTEOUS, I AM DECLARED RIGHTEOUS by God. Justification is a legal act. Justification does not do anything to us, it says something about us.
4. It is God as the Judge (who is responsible for His own law) saying to us that in regards to His law, He is satisfied with us because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Acts 13:39– And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 3:20-28, Romans 4:5-7, Romans 5:1,9, Romans 8:30-39, 1 Corinthians 6:11,
Galatians 2:16– Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh will be justified.
Galatians 3:11 –But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
Romans 8:1– There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 10:4– For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5. What is the relationship between Faith and Justification? Justification by faith means faith is the instrument (and nothing but the instrument) by which we are enabled to receive the righteousness God gives to us. Christ, not our faith, is our righteousness. It is not our believing in Him that saves us, it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself that saves us.
6. We have nothing to do with our justification. It is entirely an act of God wherein He puts to our account the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Next Lesson: Justification by Faith (2)
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 12
Lesson 12: The Assurance of Faith
1. Doubt is not, again is not incompatible with faith. Doubt must be put over against assurance, not over against faith. One can have faith without having assurance.
2. The assurance of faith is not only possible, it is desirable and we should not rest until we have it.
3. Causes of Doubt:
a. Sin—When Christians fall into sin they will have a sense of condemnation and that in turn will lead to doubt.
b. Misunderstanding of the real nature of faith– Faith is active and is something that must be applied. Faith has to hold on to the truth. Matthew 8:26
4. What are the grounds of Assurance?
a. The teaching of the Word of God (1 John 5:10-11, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:47, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:39, 1 John 2:19)
b. The test of life– there are certain tests that I can apply to myself to make sure that I really have eternal life.
1st Test– Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God 1 John 5:1
2nd Test—Loving the Brethren. Love is practical. Love is actionable (John 3:14, 1 John 3:16-18)
3rd Test—Keeping His Commandments 1 John 2:3
4th Test– Having the Holy Spirit 1 John 3:24—The Scriptures teach us that the gift of the Holy Spirit is the seal (guarantee) which we have of the inheritance of eternal life. The Holy Spirit gives us a realization and consciousness of the Living Lord.
5. Make certain that you are not relying on yourself in any aspect of your salvation. You must rely only upon the finished work of Christ on the cross. You are solely dependent upon His righteousness.
6. Apply the word of Scripture to your life, yield yourself to be led on by the Holy Spirit. Seek His face. Ask Jesus to fulfill His promise and manifest Himself to me.
7. When you have the spiritual manifestation of God, you will not have to persuade yourself that you have it, you will know. It is unmistakable.
Assignment: Read the Westminster Confession of Faith (can be found on the web)
Next Lesson: Justification By Faith
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 11
Lesson 11: The Doctrine of Saving Faith
1. Faith is the instrument or the channel by which all salvation that is in Christ Jesus enters into us and is appropriated.
2. We are saved by faith, we are sanctified by faith, and we walk by faith.
1 John 1:5
3. Faith is the thing that links us to the fullness that dwells in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
4. Faith is given to us by God as a gift. The seed of faith is placed in us in regeneration and will be called into activity by the effectual call.
5. Saving faith is brought forth by the Word of God. Matthew 28:19, Acts 26:18, Romans 10:10-17.
6. The elements found in faith are:
a. Belief– One cant’ have faith without believing with a firm conviction. Hebrews 11:13
b. Trust and Confidence– to the point that we willingly commit ourselves to the truth of God’s Word.
c. Commitment– One not only believes and trust the word, we commit ourselves entirely to God.
7. Saving faith involves the whole person: the mind, the heart and the will. If we are not moved by our belief, it is not faith. Romans 6:17, 1 Peter 2:7 There is no use saying we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ if we are living a worldly life. True faith turns away from evil. James 2:26, Psalm 97:10
8. We must know what we believe, whom we believe and what we believe concerning God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
9. The spiritual gift of faith is not saving faith. Only some believers are given the spiritual gift of faith as described in 1 Corinthians 12.
10. Saving faith is a belief in and an acceptance of the Gospel, Word of God.
Next Lesson: The Assurance of Faith
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 10
Lesson 10: The Doctrine of Repentance: What Repentance Leads to In Experience:
1. Repentance involves a change in our views and thoughts concerning God. We now really see the Holiness and Greatness of God. Isaiah 6:1-5, Romans 7, Psalm 14:1
2. Repentance leads us to walk softly (in the fear of the Lord) in His presence. The nearer we are to God and Christ, the more Christ is formed in us, the greater will be our conception of God which will be reflected in our humility.
3. Repentance brings us to a knowledge of the mercy of God, His compassion, His kindness and His love. Justice and Mercy are met together in Christ. On the Cross of Calvary justice is fully satisfied and love streams forth.
4. Repentance brings about a sense of guilt and unworthiness. The greater the saint the more he or she is aware of sin and the corruption of the heart. Psalm 51, Romans 7.
5. Repentance changes our view on life leading us to a sense of hatefulness towards sin. We can now see the beauty and the glory of God’s holy law.
6. Repentance must result in a sense of grief and sorrow because of sin. It also leads to a sense of fear because we have sinned against a Holy God, who is righteous and just, who is Lord of the universe and the eternal judge.
7. Repentance leads to a confession of sin to God and a consuming desire to please Him.
8. Repentance gives us a sense of having offended God, having grieved and hurt Him. It produces a sense of unworthiness in us.
9. Repentance give us a hunger and thirst after righteousness. It makes us desire to be like Christ.
Oh, for a heart to praise my God
A heart from sin set free
A heart that always feel Thy blood
So freely shed for me
Charles Wesley
Next Lesson: Saving Faith
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol 2 Lesson 9
Lesson 9: The Doctrine of Repentance
1. Repentance means to “think again”. It results in our changing of our minds. Matthew 21:28-32. In repentance there must be a consciousness of the sense of regret for the wrong view and the wrong conduct taken previously.
2. Repentance always comes before faith in our response to the Gospel. There is a distinct difference between repentance (changed thinking and changed actions) and remorse (just feeling sorry).
3. GRACE leads to repentance. Repentance is a gift of God to any activity on the part of men and women. Zechariah 12:10. Without Grace and supplication, there can be no Repentance. Acts 5:31, 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:25.
4. The way in which God leads us to repentance is through the teaching and preaching of His holy word. Acts 2:37, 17:30.
5. Repentance must include the whole person or it is not Repentance. It must include:
a. Our minds, our intellect. Preaching about Repentance starts with the intellect and the understanding of the word. Romans 3:20, Matthew 5:4, Galatians 3:19, Psalm 51, Job 42:6, Luke 18:13, Romans 7:24, 2 Corinthians 2:11
b. Our heart and our feelings– There must be a kind of anguish , a sense of fear and dread, and a “godly sorrow”. 2 Corinthians 7:10
c. Our wills– Action is an essential part of Repentance. Our wills comes into operation and it turns us from what was wrong to what is right. Isaiah 55:7, Joel 2:13, Luke 3:8-14, Acts 26:18, 1 Thessalonians 1:9.
6. The matters dealt with in repentance are:
a. God Himself– Repentance means a changed view of God.
b. The Relationship between God and man– When we repent we have a new mind regarding our relationship to God, to life, the purpose of life and how it should be lived. There is also a change in how we view death and eternity.
c. Repentance changes people’s whole outlook upon everything of value in this life and in the world.
Next Lesson: What Repentance leads to in experience…
Study of Great Bible Truths – Vol. 2 Lesson 8
Lesson 8: Union With Christ
1. Our redemption has been worked out and purchased by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. We are regenerated because of our union with Christ. It is from Him that we derive our life.
3. The Nature of our union with Christ.
a. It is a Spiritual Union – It is the function of the Holy Spirit to join us to Christ, and we are joined to Christ by the Holy Spirit’s presence in us. 1 Corinthian 6:17, 1 Corinthians 12:13. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. That is why we must avoid certain sins of the flesh.
b. It is a Mystical Union – The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 5, that the union between the Lord and Christian believers is comparable and similar to the union between a husband and wife.
c. It is a Vital Union – This means our spiritual life is drawn directly from the Lord Jesus Christ. We are sustained by Him through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is a union of life.
d. It is an Organic Union – This means that it is a union in which we give as well as receive. Ephesians 4:15-16.
e. It is a Personal Union – We have a personal relationship with our Lord.
f. It is an Indissoluble Union – This union is once and forever. Romans 8:38-39.
4. Our faith helps to sustain, develop and strengthen the union. It is only as our faith becomes active that we become aware of this union and of our being born again (Regeneration). This is my position because I am in Christ and joined to Him.
a. I am crucified with Christ.
b. I am planted into the likeness of His death.
c. I have died with Him.
d. I have been buried with Him.
e. I have risen with Him.
f. I am seated in the Heavenly places with Him.
6. There are two essential elements of conversion: Repentance and Faith. Repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. The primary point about conversion is to bring us into the right relationship with God. Jesus came and did everything in order to reconcile us to God. 2 Corinthians 5:19
8. The gospel starts with God because what is wrong with everyone is that they are in a wrong relationship to Him outside of Christ.
Key Thought: The first need of every soul is to be right with God.
Next Lesson: The Doctrine of Repentance