Sanctification
Sanctification is an accomplished fact through Jesus' death, but it must be applied to our lives to experience it.
Watchman Nee emphasizes that sanctification is not a personal achievement but a divine work accomplished by God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He explains that while believers are sanctified through Christ's blood, as stated in Hebrews, this sanctification must be actively applied in their lives to become a lived experience. Nee highlights the call to holiness in 1 Peter, indicating that believers must embrace their sanctified status to truly reflect it in their daily lives. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing and applying the sanctification provided by Jesus to experience its transformative power.
Text
Sanctification is not a work of our own. Sanctification is accomplished for us by God. The Bible says, "That He might sanctify the people through His own blood" (Heb. 13:12). "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" (10:14). Sanctification is an accomplished fact. Since Jesus has died, we are all sanctified. Nevertheless, 1 Peter 1:16 charges us to be "holy." Why does it charge us in this way? The reason is that though believers are sanctified, this sanctification is merely a fact with God; it is not yet an experience in the believers' lives. In order for one to be sanctified, he has to apply the sanctification accomplished through the death of Jesus, taking this as his sanctification. Only then will he live a sanctified life.
Sermon Outline
- Sanctification is not a work of our own
- Sanctification is accomplished for us by God
- The Bible teaches us that sanctification is an accomplished fact
- We must apply the sanctification accomplished through Jesus' death to our lives
- Living a sanctified life is the result of applying God's accomplished sanctification
Key Quotes
“Sanctification is not a work of our own.” — Watchman Nee
“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” — Watchman Nee
“We must apply the sanctification accomplished through the death of Jesus, taking this as his sanctification.” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- We must recognize that sanctification is a gift from God and not something we can achieve on our own.
- Applying sanctification to our lives requires faith and trust in God's accomplished work.
- Living a sanctified life is the result of applying God's sanctification to our daily experiences.