Devotional and Reflection Questions: Christ My Sanctifier (2 Peter 1:3-11)

Christ My Sanctifier

2 Peter 1:3-11 states, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”


     At the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are filled with the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit’s indwelling gives us the power to pursue a new heart and a fresh mind.  2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  We now possess the ability to seek after God and do His will.  This moment is referred to as positional sanctification.  You are now justified in God’s sight.  All of your sin has been atoned for in its entirety.  Now you are given the power to overcome sin and the desire to seek the things of God.  It is exclusively through the power of the Holy Spirit that we gain this desire to do God’s will.  It is God’s will that all of mankind should be redeemed and indwelled; however, God is a gentleman.  He waits upon each of us to make a personal decision for or against Christ.  When we choose Christ, the Spirit is committed to us for a lifetime of indwelling. 

     The Spirit then begins a process referred to as progressive sanctification.  It is a process that varies based on the individual.  Each individual is prompted  by and given power by the Spirit to seek the will of God.  What varies is the condition of each heart which affect the rate at which each person submits.  Each heart responds differently.  Some resist and others more amenable.  2 Peter 1:3-11 teaches us that we need to pursue righteousness and holiness actively.  Holiness does not exhibit itself without a conscious decision and effort on our part.  If we set our minds on things above, the Spirit can freely work to transform our desires.  According the scripture, we should make every effort to seek the things of God.  As we mature, we are told to continue forward, never ceasing.  If we persist, we will become more and more effective for God’s purposes.  In this way, discover meaning for our lives.  Do not allow yourself to become stagnant and ineffective.  If you do not actively seek after God, you might stumble and lose your way, but God promises rich rewards for those who seek Him.

     To grow in faith, we must regard the Word of God as authoritative, inerrant, and inspired.  We seek to model our lives after Jesus Christ as God’s Word becomes the ultimate authority for faith and practice.  We also seek to gain favor with God as we continue to do His will.  Ultimately, our obedience reflects our love for God and our appreciation for Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.  No greater sacrifice has ever been given to mankind.  To grow in righteousness, we need to pray, read the Word, and conform our lives to Christ-likeness.  The Spirit in turn gives us an ever-increasing desire for holiness.  Holiness is the goal of the Christian believer.  We seek to glorify God with how we think and act.

 

Reflection Questions

1)      At what point are we given the ability to pursue God?

2)      Is the Spirit’s work in our lives complete with the indwelling or is there more work to be done?

3)      What is the goal of Christian believer?  How is it displayed?

 


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