A7.6 – WHY IS SANCTIFICATION NECESSARY?

A7.6 – WHY IS SANCTIFICATION NECESSARY?

  1. As a result of the fall of Adam, the human race lost the original righteousness of God, therefore,
      • a) Man is depraved, Ps 51:5
      • b) Man is wicked and deceitful, Jere 17:9
      • c) Man is defiled in conscience, Tit 1:15
      • d) Man is dead in trespasses, Rom 6:6
      • e) Man had the ‘old man’ nature, Eph 4:22
      • f) Man is darkened in understanding, Eph 4:18
      • g) Man wallows in the wilderness of sin, 1 Kg 21:20
  2. In order to solve the problems of the fall of human race, full and free complete provision is made available in the Lord Jesus Christ:
          • a) Salvation: for forgiveness, cleansing from sin and regeneration from the ‘old nature’ John 1:14
          • b) Justification: discharge and acquittal from the guilt of sin, Romans 3:24
          • c) Sanctification: deliverance from the power of sin, flesh, Satan and the world 2:13
          • d) Growth in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: for maturity in Christian character 2 Peter 3:18
          • e) Sanctification is necessary because of the constant spiritual warfare of the life of a believer
          • f) A believer is always subject to the constant chastisement of God which is only designed to correct his imperfections and make him rely more on His grace. Heb 12:6-8
          • g) Hence, every believer must be sanctified in order to be able to continuously resist the flesh and walk in the Spirit, Heb 12:14

3. After the experience of salvation, a believer may still discover that the root of sin is still firm in his or her heart. That is, there seems to be a continuous thirst after sin instead of righteousness. Sanctification is the cure, Rom 7:14-15; 2 Tim 2:20-21

4. Sanctification is necessary because it is a command of God and not an option, 2 Cor 7:1

5. Any believer who is not sanctified would soon find it easy to go back into ‘Egypt’ to satisfy his sinful appetite, Num 11:4-6

6. Any believer who does not progress into sanctification will be under the power of ‘self’. Such a life is usually full of confusion, frustration and backsliding, Rom 7:24 22

7. After salvation, it is possible that the believer still longs after his old sinful ways, instead of after righteousness. Most times, he does not want to commit sin but still finds himself committing it. Sanctification is the cure, Rom 7:17-20

8. No one can inherit the kingdom of God without sanctification, 1 Cor 6:9-11

9. Sanctification is necessary for assurance of salvation, quality fellowship with God and effective service to God, Jos 24:19-20; 2 Cor 5:17

A7.6 – WHY IS SANCTIFICATION NECESSARY? – Hope Double