Sanctification: The Blacksmith's Ongoing Refinement by Pastor Paul Becker

Romans 8:28-30 and Philippians 2:12-16

We continue the sermon series "The Work of God in Salvation." In scripture, there is an observable pattern of how God works out our salvation. Knowing and understanding this pattern provides a basis for us to have assurance in our salvation. This pattern, called The Order of Salvation, offers a logical flow of doctrines that begins with election, regeneration and calling, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and, ultimately, glorification.

This Sunday, the sermon put a spotlight on the doctrine of Sanctification. Here are the key insights from the sermon:

Salvation as a Divine Covenant and Continuous Process: The order of salvation begins in eternity with the Covenant of Redemption, where the triune God, before creation, agrees to save His elect. (Jn 6:37-39, Jn 17:4-5, Eph 1:3-4, 2 Tim 1:9) This reveals the depth of God's initiative and commitment, underscoring salvation's foundation in God's eternal plan rather than human effort. The ongoing nature of salvation means believers are continuously being transformed throughout their lives until glorification.

Sanctification as God's Blacksmithing Work: The blacksmith metaphor of the sermon series powerfully conveys sanctification as a slow, sometimes uncomfortable process where God, the master craftsman, shapes believers with different "hammers" and "tools." This emphasizes that sanctification involves internal renewal and external transformation, requiring patience and trust in God's skilled hands even amid difficulties.

Imitation of Christ as the Core Christian Life: The Christian life is about imitating Christ, reflecting His character and will. This call to imitation is both simple and profound.  It shows the power of true faith's relational and transformational nature, founded upon reverence for God and dependence on the Holy Spirit's power.

Means of Grace Empower Christian Growth: God established practical means of grace to sanctify us.  These means of grace are preaching, prayer, baptism, the Lord's Supper, fellowship, and love toward neighbors.  These are the means God uses to transform us to be like Jesus, both willing and abiding in the commands of God.

Tension Between Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: In Philippians 2, Paul highlights a crucial tension in the life of a believer. He teaches us to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" while stating, "God works in you." This raises a question: Who is working out our salvation? God is. Our wills were once in bondage to sin, but our wills are freed in Christ. We are freer to choose obedience to God. And when we choose obedience, our choices are offered with great reverence for God, gratitude for grace, and joy in actively loving God.  And what does our love of God look like?  Obeying Him.

Struggle as a Sign of Sanctification: Resistance, setbacks, and spiritual "two steps forward, one step back" seasons are to be expected. They reveal areas where believers are refined, and their wills and desires realigned toward God. This process is a sign of God's ongoing work rather than failure.

Assurance Grounded in God's Faithfulness: True assurance rests not on human perfection but on God's promise and faithfulness to complete His work (Philippians 1:6). Believers are declared perfect in Christ from justification and are progressively made perfect through sanctification, ensuring that salvation is secure and purposeful.

May God, in three persons, bless and keep you on a lifelong journey of sanctification. Empowered by grace, may you become more fully alive in Christ. When you stand before His throne, without the taint of sin and clothed in His glory, you will deeply know that God mercifully worked out your salvation. For now, trust in the Lord's promise to complete the work He has started. Respond with prayer-filled worship, thanksgiving, learning, and loving. Amen!

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Eph 2:10)