In this post I would like to continue with the theme of sanctification in the life of the believer. And this all begins with the foreknowledge of God, and his calling and election of the individual.
1. To be conformed to the image of Christ.
In Romans chapter eight we read this,
29. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30. and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 8:39-30 NASB
What stands out in this passage is the fact that God, according to His foreknowledge, has elected, or predestined individuals to become like Jesus. These same individuals are called to justification as well, which causes me to ask, can one be justified but not become Christ-like?
In First John we read,
The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
1 John 2:6 NASB
We need to be consistent with verses like these. God has called the believer to be conformed to the image of Christ. Therefore, one who has been truly saved is not only justified (in right standing before God), but also becoming more and more like Christ in word and deed.
2. Predestined for obedience to Christ.
Similarly, Peter addresses scattered believers who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood (1 Peter 1:2).
Here again, as in the previous verses quoted, God has elected individuals to something that exceeds what many of us consider salvation to be.
In this verse we see the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, the blood that atones for our sin. Without the shed blood applied to our lives there is no forgiveness, and no right standing with God. But we also see that those who are chosen to be sprinkled with the blood of Christ are chosen to be obedient to Him as well. In what can be considered a trinitarian passage we read that it is the Holy Spirit who brings this about in the lives of those chosen, or elected, by God the Father.
So again, if we are not obedient to Jesus (conformed to His image), is His blood applied to our lives? Is the Holy Spirit at work in us, or have we quenched Him?
7. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
8. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NASB
But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7 NASB
This is sanctification, to be like Jesus in our conduct: walking in the light. Our cooperation with the Holy Spirit and resulting Christ -likeness is just as much a part of our salvation as the forgiveness we receive from Him. They cannot be separated.
3. Salvation through sanctification.
13. But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
14. It is for this that He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NASB
Believers have been chosen for salvation according to God's foreknowledge. However this salvation, from beginning to end is brought about through the sanctification of the one who believes. God does not save us in our sin, but from our sin.
Imagine suffering from a fatal illness and going to a doctor for help. He gives you a pill to relieve your pain, but does nothing to cure the illness behind the pain. When God saves an individual He transforms that individual from the inside out. He not only forgives our past sin, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we find deliverance from sinning as well.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB
Peter refers to this in his first epistle as well,
3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4. to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.
5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 NASB
As we read in Romans 8:30 those who are called are also glorified, just as Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 2:14, which is quoted above. We are elected to a salvation that involves justification, and ultimately ends in our glorification, but here in this lifetime we must be sanctified.
When Paul exhorts us to "work out our salvation" he is speaking of this very same thing. In speaking of Christ; his humility and incarnation, Paul urges us to take on the same mindset that Christ had. One day we will all bow before Him,
12. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
13. for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13 NASB
These three "predestination" passages that I have touched on here are all saying the same thing. Predestination and election encompass more than many understand them to mean. When God in His foreknowledge elects an individual it is an election to a transformed person, one who in word, thought and deed looks like Jesus.
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