executioner wrote:andreasbjerre wrote:But sanctification comes by grace, by hearing the gospel again and again. Yes we have work to do as christians, but it is the grace and mercy that helps us. It is by seeing your sin again and again, and seeing how big the salvation through Jesus is that your heart will change and deeds will come. Read Titus 2,11-13, those words are summing it up...the grace of God (which is the gospel) is the thing that sanctifies. Not our own works. And all in all I get the impression reading this book, that I have to try more be more etc. And the gospel is not explained ploperly, eventhough its through the gospel, you get the heart to live the christian life...
So what your saying(from all of your posts on the subject) Is that as Christians its our place first to point out the sins of the lost to the lost and then by God's Grace they will turn from their sins towards God? I'm not making a statement I'm asking a question.
Not exactly. We are to point out the sin of the lost, and then show them the accomplished work for salvation by Jesus christ, so that they may believe and hold on to that, and be justified 100% by the work of Jesus. That is justification.
Now what my point is, is that when people are justified, there is something called sanctification, which means to live more and more according to Gods will. But even to be sanctified more and more needs Gods grace, and the godpel has a role in this. To hear the gospel repeated, is the power that, with help from the holy spirit, will sanctify people, and help them live the christian life. Look at Hebrews 12,1-2:
" Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The power to lay aside the sin, happens when you look at the accomplished work of Jesus. See how the author of the Hebrews tells us to look at Jesus, while we are laying aside sin. Yes sometimes we have to move on from the milk, to understand more of who God is, but we are never to move away from the gospel, we need the milk again and again.
Titus 2,11-12: "For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;"
Again it is obvious that the sanctification (denying ungodliness and worldly lust) comes from the grace of God. And what is the grace of God? first and foremost that he send his son to take the punishment I deaserve.
2. Peter 1,3:" Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;"
The power of God and the knowledge of God is important when it comes to sanctification.
1. cor, 1,30: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
To God belongs the glory, even for sanctification.
1. cor. 6,19-20: "Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
Paul refers to the price that Jesus paid, when talking about the body as a temple. We shall live in a holy way, and not sin with our bodies. Why shall we serve God? He loves us, and offered his son for us. Paul reminds the corinthians of the price he paid, because this reminder will help the corinthians to live holy.
When reading "The purposedriven life" I dont see this very much. All in all it seems that Rick warren thinks he can instruct people to be sanctified, and he doesn't use the gospel as the power of sanctification as the bible does. To quote Rick warren: "Spiritual growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment. You must WANT to grow, DECIDE to grow, MAKE AN EFFORT to grow and PERSIST in growing. Discipleship - the process of becoming like christ -always begins with a decision."
I know this is taken out of context, but I think it sums up the way Warren writes. Its legalistic, its all about what I have to do to become more like Christ. We need Gods grace in this proces, we need to see ourselves as sinners again and again, and hear what Jesus has done to save us from this...this is important for sanctification as well, to get the power as the verses above tells.
1. John 1,9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
We must never in our pride move on from "confessing our sins, and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation". The gospel is the bread that we shall live by day to day!