Is Sanctification My Work Or God's Work?

Socialite · #1 01-25-2011, 10:25 AM

I've written plenty in recent posts about salvation being God's work done for us, and something we receive by faith in Jesus. Many that I interacted with would always confuse sanctification with salvation. Even then, the question is asked, "Is sanctification my work or God's work?"

Philippians 2:12-13—

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Jonathan Edwards writes,

In efficacious grace we are not merely passive, nor yet does God do some and we do the rest. But God does all, and we do all. God produces all, we act all. For that is what produces, viz. [namely] our own acts. God is the only proper author and fountain; we only are the proper actors. We are in different respects, wholly passive and wholly active.
(The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 2, p. 557)

John Piper writes,

…it is a good fight because we are not left to our own strength in the fight. If we were, as Martin Luther says, "Our striving would be losing." In other words, when a child of God fights for joy in God, God himself is the one behind that struggle, giving the will and the power to defeat the enemy of joy (Philippians 2:12-13). We are not left to ourselves to sustain the joy of faith. God fights for us and in us. Therefore the fight of faith is a good fight.

God's work in us does not eliminate our work; it enables it. We work because he is the one at work in us. Therefore, the fight for joy is possible because God is fighting for us and through us. All our efforts are owing to his deeper work in and through our willing and working.
(When I Don't Desire God, pp. 38, 41)

Aquila · #2 01-25-2011, 10:29 AM

Those who have received biblical grace are partakers in the divine nature of the Holy Ghost dwelling within. When we sin it is that divine nature within us that is troubled and "convicted". As we walk the Christian walk we are sanctified as we surrender to that inner prompting of the Spirit (this is walking in the Spirit).

Sanctification is indeed the work of God. All we have to do is learn to surrender.

LUKE2447 · #3 01-25-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

I've written plenty in recent posts about salvation being God's work done for us, and something we receive by faith in Jesus. Many that I interacted with would always confuse sanctification with salvation. Even then, the question is asked, "Is sanctification my work or God's work?"

Philippians 2:12-13—

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Jonathan Edwards writes,

In efficacious grace we are not merely passive, nor yet does God do some and we do the rest. But God does all, and we do all. God produces all, we act all. For that is what produces, viz. [namely] our own acts. God is the only proper author and fountain; we only are the proper actors. We are in different respects, wholly passive and wholly active.
(The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 2, p. 557)

John Piper writes,

…it is a good fight because we are not left to our own strength in the fight. If we were, as Martin Luther says, "Our striving would be losing." In other words, when a child of God fights for joy in God, God himself is the one behind that struggle, giving the will and the power to defeat the enemy of joy (Philippians 2:12-13). We are not left to ourselves to sustain the joy of faith. God fights for us and in us. Therefore the fight of faith is a good fight.

God's work in us does not eliminate our work; it enables it. We work because he is the one at work in us. Therefore, the fight for joy is possible because God is fighting for us and through us. All our efforts are owing to his deeper work in and through our willing and working.
(When I Don't Desire God, pp. 38, 41)

it is called synergism

Socialite · #4 01-25-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

it is called synergism

Explain.

And where do you see this in the Story of God (the Text)?

LUKE2447 · #5 01-25-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

Explain.

And where do you see this in the Story of God (the Text)?

depends on if sanctification and justification are different as many would argue they are not.

Socialite · #6 01-25-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

depends on if sanctification and justification are different as many would argue they are not.

Interested in what you believe about that and why.

LUKE2447 · #7 01-25-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

Interested in what you believe about that and why.

also depends on if you view them the same way. Some would reverse them of which I tend to in part agree.

http://theogeek.blogspot.com/2007/09...ification.html

discussion on it being virtually the same....

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Lutherans...tification.htm sorry forgot this link.

TGBTG · #8 01-25-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

it is called synergism

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

Explain.

And where do you see this in the Story of God (the Text)?

1 Thess 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

God sanctifies us, but we also have to make a conscious effort to depart from sin.

Socialite · #9 01-25-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGBTG

1 Thess 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

God sanctifies us, but we also have to make a conscious effort to depart from sin.

But if we are his Children, adopted as his own, being sanctified.... then we are slaves to righteousness. This is God's gift now working in us, a new creation.

To me, the Scriptures above are clearly distinct from being saved, but are more defined as "how then should we live in light of God's mercy?" (Rom 12:1)

TGBTG · #10 01-25-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

But if we are his Children, adopted as his own, being sanctified.... then we are slaves to righteousness. This is God's gift now working in us, a new creation.

To me, the Scriptures above are clearly distinct from being saved, but are more defined as "how then should we live in light of God's mercy?" (Rom 12:1)