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Rom 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”
Rom 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit”
In Simple terms, JUSTIFICATION or being saved is our initial experience with God. We experience having our SINS forgiving and we experience coming into the fellowship of God and his family.
However, it doesn’t take long before we discover that there is still within us an inclination to do what is wrong. That is, to continue to walk in many of our sinful ways.
The simple answer is two-fold. Firstly, our modern day teachings of salvation lacks the urgency and the need for REPENTANCE. Many Christians are drawn to Christ through the words “Accept Jesus” when in fact it is Jesus who accepts the repentant sinner. Remember the story of the publican who came to pray.
Secondly, to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ is a COMMITMENT and a SURRENDER. The Bible speaks clearly about the fact that we cannot serve two masters. We either serve Christ, or we serve the world. We either love God or we love the world. We are either led by His Spirit (Sanctified) or we are led by our sinful nature.
Take a drowning man as a simple illustration. The man is rescued when he is taken out of the water, but he is only truly saved when the water is taken out of him. What the drowning man needs is a) to be taken out of the water SAVED by grace, and b) To receive the fullness of fresh air (SANCTIFIED filled and controlled by the Spirit of God)
The un-sanctified person will grieve and quench the Spirit of God. The Sanctified person will walk in the Spirit of God.
Most Christians can name the day and time that they surrendered their lives completely to Jesus and experienced the fullness of His Spirit in their lives.
So what is the evidence of being Sanctified? Gal 5 – It is the fruit of the Spirit. If my life does not exemplify ALL the fruits of the Spirit of God, then I need to get down on my knees, repent of my wicked ways and surrender my life completely to Him. The fruit of the Spirit is: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control .
But here is the crunch. Beware, for the person who is not sanctified is like the foolish virgins. Do you remember the story? 5 were virgins, they were dressed in white and from an outward appearance looked no different from the rest. In fact, they even had lamps. But when the time came, they were not allowed in for only one very important difference ……. They had NO oil. The oil represents the Spirit of God.
In conclusion - A “Christian” who does not walk in the Spirit of God is foolish and will find themselves left outside with all the other sinners.
Sanctification is not a choice – it is Required.
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