SEMESTER 4
256 – Calling – Sanctification #2
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY IV LESSON # 56
THE DOCTRINE OF CALLING
PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION (SANCTIFICATION # 2)
INTRODUCTION:
1. In the previous lesson, we addressed positional sanctification; that is, what God’s sanctification does FOR us.
2. In this lesson, we shall consider practical sanctification; that is, what God’s sanctification does IN us.
3. Positional sanctification is external, and objective. It is in no way progressive, nor is it experienced, it is only revealed.
4. Practical sanctification is internal, and subjective. It is experienced and also progressive.
I. PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION AN ONGOING PROCESS
1. Note references to: (Jn. 17:17-19
, Rom. 6:19-22, Rom. 15:16, I Thes. 5:23, Heb. 2:11, Heb. 10:14, Heb. 12:14, I Pet. 1:15)
2. God (not us) is the designer and author of this. (Jn. 17:17, I Thes. 5:23)
3. This work is effected by the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:14, Rom. 12:2, II Cor. 2:18, Eph. 3:16, Gal. 5:22-23)
4. The word of God is the instrument of the Holy Spirit in this work. (Jn. 17:17, Psa. 119:9,11,34,43,44,50,93,104; Heb. 5:12-14, I Pet. 2:2)
5. Faith and obedience become reciprocating effects of God’s work, and cause for advancement.
6. More indirect means are the ministry, lives, prayer, etc. of others.
Note: This element of sanctification is not a from of reward for our activity but the effect of good, upon us, as opposed to evil.
II. THE NATURE OF PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION
This is essentially the development of a babe in Christ, which continues throughout Christian life. We are not made any more the children of God, but we are developed, as the children of God.
1. It is not an improvement of the flesh. (Gal. 5:17, Rom. 7:14-24) While the flesh may be mortified and restrained, it is not improved.
2. It is not some gradual removal of sin from the soul; for no sin remains in the soul.
3. It is a progressive maintenance and strengthening of the inner man.
i. It is the profit of experience in the pursuit of holiness. (II Cor. 7:1)
ii. It is no more or less than growth in grace. (II Pet. 3:18)
3. It is practical in that, though the Spirit does the work inwardly, it is manifested outwardly. (Mat. 5:13-16)
4. It is experimental; that is, the believer feels and knows the working of the Spirit that is transforming him. (II Cor. 3:18, Rom. 8:16)
5. It is never perfect in this earthly body and life. (Rom. 7:24-25)
Grateful acknowledgement: The basic content of this outline is from T. P. Simmons’ A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF BIBLE DOCTRINE.