Salvation, Sanctification, Servants
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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Salvation is a gift from God and marks the beginning of a new relationship with Him. It is through faith and the bloodshed of Jesus we are saved from the penalty of sin, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and inherit everlasting life.
We become children of God and are summoned to grow in Christ-likeness. In 1 Peter 2:2-3 we read, “Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” As born again believers, we are not to remain babes in Christ. We are to grow and mature in God’s ways, through reading, hearing, and obeying His word, which will lead us triumphantly to the next level of our spiritual journey with Him.
Sanctification is the process of becoming holy; set apart from sin and used by God. God’s indwelling Holy Spirit brings forth the continual sanctification process that needs to take place within every believer’s heart, mind, and life.
The apostle Paul wrote, “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13) It is impossible for this blessed transformation to take place without full reliance on God’s Holy Spirit. His Spirit working within us produces godly change and leads us into the good works we are to fulfill.
A servant of the Lord, a slave to God – this is what all Christians are to become. In Romans 6:22 we read, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” Upon salvation, God destines us to have eternal life with Him but while still here, He wants us to serve Him with all our heart, mind, and life. The Lord delights when we move out of the realm of sin, step into righteous living, and begin to operate in the place of service He has for us.
We must remember that Jesus came as a servant. He did not come to be served and we are to follow His example. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) Seek to serve the Lord and others so you may hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant, with you I am very pleased”.
Dear God, Salvation is a gift so great I can barely comprehend it. Thank you for saving me! Show me the things You have for me to do. Help me to grow in my faith, becoming more like You in thought, word and deed. Amen.
Question: What do these explanations of salvation, sanctification, and servants mean to you today?
4 Responses to “Salvation, Sanctification, Servants”
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Richard and Barbara, what you say is so true.
I heard some ago that when God wants to take us to a higher pasture we need to go through a valley to get there. That valley may be dark and dangerous, but that is where the fresh water flows. Drink deeply from the Water of Life, and being refreshed, ascend up the other slope to a higher pasture and increased responsibilities!
I have a book mark that quotes part of 2 Cor 3:18 “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more”. Is there no limit for us (here on earth) for Spiritual growth? Only God knows what we are capable of, and as we tune into Him more we become increasingly useful to Him, and are blessed proportionally!
Barbara, what you say is so true Sanctification is something that God does for you, as you chose to let Him, throughout your spiritual journey. One finds out that the more you love God the easier it is to serve Him, much like marriage. In marriage,the more you love each other then your service to each other becomes a greater blessing. In our spiritual journey we can always count on God to love us more than we deserve. As we commit to Him our service to Him becomes increasingly satisfying.
Dear Richard, All service unto God and others is rewarding. We may not ‘feel’ anything rewarding from such but in God’s eyes all service carried out unto Him with proper motives is rewarding. We are all in the process of santification which will go on through our entire lifetime. As this process continues to take place God uses us more and more because He knows He can trust us in a wider realm of service. No matter what phase anyone of God’s children are in He delights when we step out and serve others right where we are. May you continue to serve Him with all your heart no matter if you feel or see the reward. In time to come He will reveal all.
Service without santification is difficult but rewarding after sandification is it rewardingly normal.