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2013 January 13



Adoration of the Shepherds (1609)
Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Baroque Style
Museo Regionale, Messina, Sicily, Italy
Image Credit: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: Sanctification is initiated and sustained by the Lord. It progresses by cooperating wiith God's instructions. As Scripture says, "12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13). It is especially as we come, through Scripture, to know, admire, and eventually adore Christ (as in the painting above) that we are transformed: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Illustrating Thousands of Bible Verses Arranged by Theological Topics
This Series Quotes from Various Christian Creeds
The Sections Follow the Order in the Westminster Confession of Faith
Chapter 13: Of Sanctification

     Westminster Confession of Faith. Chapter 13: Of Sanctification.

     Section 1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, 1 by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them: 2 the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, 3 and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; 4 and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, 5 to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 6
     Section 2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; 7 yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; 8 whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. 9
     Section 3. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; 10 yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome; 11 and so, the saints grow in grace, 12 perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 13

     Scripture References:

Note 1

     1 Corinthians 6:11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
     Acts 20:32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
     Philippians 3:10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
     Romans 6:5-6. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Note 2

     John 17:17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
     Ephesians 5:26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.
     2 Thessalonians 2:13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

Note 3

     Romans 6:6, 14. 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Note 4

     Galatians 5:24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
     Romans 8:13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Note 5

     Colossians 1:11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
     Ephesians 3:16-19. 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Note 6

     2 Corinthians 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
     Hebrews 12:14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Note 7

     1 Thessalonians 5:23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note 8

     1 John 1:10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
     Romans 7:18, 23. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
     Philippians 3:12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Note 9

     Galatians 5:17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
     1 Peter 2:11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

Note 10

     Romans 7:23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Note 11

     Romans 6:14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
     1 John 5:4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
     Ephesians 4:15-16. 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Note 12

     2 Peter 3:18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
     2 Corinthians 3:18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Note 13

     2 Corinthians 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.


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