"however, now, being set free from sin, moreover being enslaved to God, you possess the fruit of you unto sanctification, moreover its end eternal life."1
Salvation is knowing of the Father, of personal experience, those who believe are given as Paul writes a Spirit of Adoption, this Spirit testifies that we are His children, and it is a Spirit of Life and peace. Redemption also is a personal experience, a cleansing of a guilty conscious, it is the testimony of blood. As God's children we are forgiven, justified, made righteous and we possess the Spirit of Life. So too, we experience baptism, personally, the testimony of water. The fruit you possess, of righteousness, will lead to sanctification, holiness, and its end, Life.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."2
What is the free gift? the free gift is not like the result of one man’s sin.2b Those who have the free gift reign in Life. Fear, condemnation, death these have no reign over those who have this free gift. The free gift comes by "one act of righteousness" by Christ, which led to justification and life for all men.2c The fruit of the free gift leads to Life.2d Grace reigns through the free gift.2e Do you know what the free gift is? it is the free gift of righteousness.2f "as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."2f
"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."3
One offense resulted in sin and death to all men. Because of one act of offense all men are under the law of sin and death. From Adam to Moses death reigned. The Law entered that the offense might increase and sin was imputed or counted toward man, one act of disobedience resulted in judgement, condemnation, and death. Men were held captive by the Law until Christ. Christ entered and by one righteous act, many will receive the gift of righteousness resulting in justification and Life. Released from the Mosaic Law but not from the law of sin and death, all men are born into sin, bitten by a poisonous snake they will die, but Christ has been lifted up, so that all who look to Him will be saved. While not under the Law we see the law of faith at work, justified by faith apart from works of the Law, which puts emphasis on the command to believe, only this will redeem fallen man. Man is freed from the law of sin and death, by the law of faith, that it be according to grace, and the law of the Spirit of life.
"so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."4
The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace and its fruit is trust and rest. Trust and rest is essential for what the fruit of righteousness leads into; sanctification. "For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness." Because of our natural limitation which is to think fleshly, not by faith, Paul is trying to relate to us who we really are in Christ. Now in Christ we have become slaves to righteousness, to live in sin any longer is a wretched state, one that doesn't fit who we really are in Christ. A child has His divine nature but a child doesn't know as He is fully known. It is not as though we do not struggle with the flesh and sin, but that it is no longer our nature, our true nature is righteousness, having received abundant grace and the free gift of righteousness by faith in Christ. The Law judged and condemned, now, did this help man rule over sin? In the new Paul writes we will rule over sin under grace, as "grace reigns through righteousness," and the fruit of righteousness leads to sanctification, its end is Life.
"For if we have been planted, have come into being with the form of His death also of the resurrection we will be."5
The seed of righteousness has been planted. Look closely at these words, they have much truth in them, and relate to the principle of sowing. The seed must die to bear fruit. This word for "been planted" is often translated united or likeness, it is from sun "with" and a derivative of phuo "grow up," grown along with (connate), i.e. (figuratively) closely united to -- planted together. It was prophesied that from the root of Jesse would come Seed that would shoot up. This word for "have become" speaks of being born of Spirit, "I come into being, am born" properly, to emerge, become. I become a child of God, I have partaken of His divine nature, a new heart and a new Spirit in me, now, also of the resurrection I will be. In context Paul writes of a teaching or doctrine that has been delivered, perhaps a lost doctrine of the Church today. "For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."6
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."7
What does it mean to present our bodies as a living sacrifice? Surely it is living by faith and it is not living to principles. "If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch."8 Living to justification by works, is to be bewitched as the Galatians, fallen from grace. Here we have more insight into this sacrifice, "for just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."9 To present my body is to present it into holiness, sanctification, the process for such is called transformation, and we see the testimony of water, the washing of the body.
"for it is written, `You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”10
The word for holy is hagios, "set apart, holy, sacred." This word refers to the Holy Spirit,11 the holy name of God,12 the holy saints,14 and the holy prophets,15 the holy city of God, 16, the holy temple of God which is our body,17 and the Holy One, who is Jesus the Son of God.18 It also speaks of the holy covenant in Christ, established in His blood.19 This holy covenant the prophets foresaw, in which the promises of God come through the Seed, bringing redemption, "to give to His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins," mercy, and salvation, "because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
The new covenant Paul writes is a ministry of reconciliation, righteousness, and of the Spirit of Life and peace. The new is not of the letter of the Law, not a ministry of fear and condemnation, not one that kills but one whose fruit is eternal Life. What is the "fruit of you" that leads unto sanctification? the fruit of righteousness. The gospel is the good news of Christ, and in preparation is "to guide our feet into the path of peace." In another study I found the words strength, might, and power to have different Greek words and meaning, often used interchangeably in many translations, here we see the same with holy, holiness, and sanctification. Righteousness is a Free gift, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace and its fruit is trust, rest, which leads into sanctification. Like salvation this must be experienced, and proper teaching or
doctrine helps to lead others into sanctification.
"You were taught to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."22
Righteousness is a gift, partaking of His divine nature, being created after the likeness of God, and the fruit of righteousness leads into holiness or sanctification. This is another amazing verse that speaks of the teachings of baptism, transformation by the renewing of the mind, and of the new man having the divine nature of God. So we establish in truth, without doubt, that because we have been partakers of His divine nature, and as Paul writes, because we have received righteousness as a free gift in Christ, because of such gifts in Christ, righteousness and holiness is our true nature. This is the whole concept Paul writes of when he says with confidence or boldness we can approach our heavenly Father. Also we establish that sanctification is a process of the believer being progressively transformed into the image of Christ, from glory to glory, being renewed each day in Spirit. It is the inward becoming outward reality, or as Paul writes, working out your salvation.
"He has granted to us his precious and very great promises so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."23
Holiness is described as "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world." It is amazing, I have His nature, I am His child, I am surely different, and I can boldly come before Him. No longer is our nature that of sin, we were slaves to sin, now we are slaves to righteousness. Holiness begins with partaking of His divine nature, the seed of righteousness has been planted, "enslaved to God you possess the fruit of you unto sanctification." What do we possess? fruit that leads to sanctification. What does righteousness lead to? sanctification. What is needed during sanctification? trust and rest, the fruit of righteousness. Think of being in the likeness of His death, entombed with Christ, or the caterpillar in a cocoon, surely trust and rest is needed. And it is in grace, as there is no condemnation in Christ.
"so that no one may boast in His presence. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,"12
It is by faith that it be according to grace, "that no one may boast in His presence." What are the riches of His grace? "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"14 "Those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"15 Another gift we receive is sanctification which is sahagiasmos, "sanctification, holiness" it has the root word holy, hagios. Holiness is best describe as having the divine nature of God, and sanctification is the process of transformation. We partake and are being filled with His Divine nature, being transformed from glory to glory, into the image of Christ.
"Thus you pray you, Our Father in the heavens, sanctify the name of you."16
Sanctification and holiness are closely connected. During my studies I noticed the King James version translates this as "Hallowed be His name." Today holy is mostly viewed as reverence, and surely God is Holy and Reverent but this word Hagiasthētō and is used outside the synoptic in one other place, "and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”17 Why do the holy do right? they are partakers of divine nature, thus the holy still be holy. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."19 He is the Righteous and Holy One, and while we will not be so perfect in this life, this is our reasonable service, sanctification.
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless..."27
This word for sanctify is hagiasai "to make holy, consecrate, sanctify; to dedicate, separate" from hagios, which implies something "set apart" and therefore "different." "For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name."28 God's name is set aside, it is "holy" different and to be honored, valued. When we partake of His divine nature we are set apart for God, we become holy. He has made our name great, as he promised to Abraham, we are partakers of the same promise, then will he not make the name of his children great? To be holy is to have a great name. Sanctification is that we are being transformed into His likeness. Such speaks of practicing righteousness, of being holy and of sanctification. If I received the seed of righteousness I will have its a fruit of righteousness, sanctification, and its end Life.
"and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."27
We see a purpose of grace, that this power toward those who believe is working through faith. What is the opposite of trust? doubt. What is a sign of doubt? it is the wavering in unbelief, having a double mind. A double mind is one that is not fully convinced, thus it is one that seeks to control, or to do in its own power. Authority that controls or "lords" over others doesn't sow righteousness in peace, nor does it produce fruit of trust and rest, thus there is not fruit that leads to sanctification, such is impossible in fear, condemnation, guilt, shame... these are not fruit of righteousness.
"You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."28
We see how important sowing in peace is, in unity of Spirit, bond of peace, and how the fruit of righteousness is developed. We grow by grace through faith or "faith working through love." A fruit of the Spirit is faith and love. Also is "self-control," though a misleading translation, perhaps better translated as "god-power." It is from en "in" and kratos, "dominion, strength" with a root word meaning "to perfect, complete." It speaks of dominion within, i.e. "self-control" – proceeding out from within oneself, but not by oneself. It is a fruit of the Spirit. Legalism conforms the outward, the flesh, into obedience, however God's power transforms from within, the root of righteousness produces fruit of righteousness. This type of perfection comes in sanctification, which is His power working within us, in such we find His grace is sufficient.
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"24
What do they mean when they call Him Holy? do they speak of fear? is it the glory of the old, of a God that thunders from a mountain, to approach Him is to stand on holy ground? Do they speak of reverence? standing with their heads bowed in reverence to a holy God. We have more insight, they are giving glory and honor and thanks, saying "worthy are you, our Lord and God."25 The word Glory speaks of exercising personal opinion which determines value. They stand before Him, as He is greatly valued. When we value God, we give glory to Him. Honor means properly, perceived value; worth (literally, "price") especially as perceived honor. We were unworthy, none righteous, no not one, Jesus paid the price for us, to understand such is to give Him honor. Grace is not an entitlement, but something valued, thus the opposite of entitlement is gratitude, thankfulness, "thankful for God's grace," it is undeserving. Glory and honor and thanks, worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,"9
Trust is a fruit of righteousness, obedience is a fruit of trust and sanctification. Obedient children see the value of their heavenly Father. How is He valued? "that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."10 Surely we value His kindness toward us. Our former behavior was as our former nature; sinful. But we have partaken of His divine nature.11 Such is from the riches of His glory. Can I still sin? yes, but it is not my nature and if I live there I will be wretched. Oh, these wretched cry out, save me, teach me, lead me! Do we not see sanctification being perfected in the Love of a heavenly Father? Do we not see the importance of trust and of value? "as obedient children," rooted and founded in love, we can boldly approach His throne, we are His righteousness.
If I have His divine nature, which is holy, and have received grace and the gift of righteousness in Christ, then am I not holy? what keeps me from entering into His presence? If I do sin and confess it, is He not faithful and just to cleanse me from unrighteousness? Sin was imputed toward Jesus, so that righteousness would be counted towards those who believe. By His righteous act many will be made righteous, He is the Righteous One, and if we have received such a gift of righteousness then we are righteous. Though partakers, are we not earthly and fleshly? does not sin exists in the flesh? the law of sin and death applies, but "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and of death."9 How?
Salvation is knowing of the Father, of personal experience, those who believe are given as Paul writes a Spirit of Adoption, this Spirit testifies that we are His children, and it is a Spirit of Life and peace. Redemption also is a personal experience, a cleansing of a guilty conscious, it is the testimony of blood. As God's children we are forgiven, justified, made righteous and we possess the Spirit of Life. So too, we experience baptism, personally, the testimony of water. The fruit you possess, of righteousness, will lead to sanctification, holiness, and its end, Life.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."2
What is the free gift? the free gift is not like the result of one man’s sin.2b Those who have the free gift reign in Life. Fear, condemnation, death these have no reign over those who have this free gift. The free gift comes by "one act of righteousness" by Christ, which led to justification and life for all men.2c The fruit of the free gift leads to Life.2d Grace reigns through the free gift.2e Do you know what the free gift is? it is the free gift of righteousness.2f "as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."2f
"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."3
One offense resulted in sin and death to all men. Because of one act of offense all men are under the law of sin and death. From Adam to Moses death reigned. The Law entered that the offense might increase and sin was imputed or counted toward man, one act of disobedience resulted in judgement, condemnation, and death. Men were held captive by the Law until Christ. Christ entered and by one righteous act, many will receive the gift of righteousness resulting in justification and Life. Released from the Mosaic Law but not from the law of sin and death, all men are born into sin, bitten by a poisonous snake they will die, but Christ has been lifted up, so that all who look to Him will be saved. While not under the Law we see the law of faith at work, justified by faith apart from works of the Law, which puts emphasis on the command to believe, only this will redeem fallen man. Man is freed from the law of sin and death, by the law of faith, that it be according to grace, and the law of the Spirit of life.
"so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."4
The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace and its fruit is trust and rest. Trust and rest is essential for what the fruit of righteousness leads into; sanctification. "For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness." Because of our natural limitation which is to think fleshly, not by faith, Paul is trying to relate to us who we really are in Christ. Now in Christ we have become slaves to righteousness, to live in sin any longer is a wretched state, one that doesn't fit who we really are in Christ. A child has His divine nature but a child doesn't know as He is fully known. It is not as though we do not struggle with the flesh and sin, but that it is no longer our nature, our true nature is righteousness, having received abundant grace and the free gift of righteousness by faith in Christ. The Law judged and condemned, now, did this help man rule over sin? In the new Paul writes we will rule over sin under grace, as "grace reigns through righteousness," and the fruit of righteousness leads to sanctification, its end is Life.
"For if we have been planted, have come into being with the form of His death also of the resurrection we will be."5
The seed of righteousness has been planted. Look closely at these words, they have much truth in them, and relate to the principle of sowing. The seed must die to bear fruit. This word for "been planted" is often translated united or likeness, it is from sun "with" and a derivative of phuo "grow up," grown along with (connate), i.e. (figuratively) closely united to -- planted together. It was prophesied that from the root of Jesse would come Seed that would shoot up. This word for "have become" speaks of being born of Spirit, "I come into being, am born" properly, to emerge, become. I become a child of God, I have partaken of His divine nature, a new heart and a new Spirit in me, now, also of the resurrection I will be. In context Paul writes of a teaching or doctrine that has been delivered, perhaps a lost doctrine of the Church today. "For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."6
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."7
What does it mean to present our bodies as a living sacrifice? Surely it is living by faith and it is not living to principles. "If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch."8 Living to justification by works, is to be bewitched as the Galatians, fallen from grace. Here we have more insight into this sacrifice, "for just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."9 To present my body is to present it into holiness, sanctification, the process for such is called transformation, and we see the testimony of water, the washing of the body.
"for it is written, `You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”10
The word for holy is hagios, "set apart, holy, sacred." This word refers to the Holy Spirit,11 the holy name of God,12 the holy saints,14 and the holy prophets,15 the holy city of God, 16, the holy temple of God which is our body,17 and the Holy One, who is Jesus the Son of God.18 It also speaks of the holy covenant in Christ, established in His blood.19 This holy covenant the prophets foresaw, in which the promises of God come through the Seed, bringing redemption, "to give to His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins," mercy, and salvation, "because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
"You were taught to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."22
Righteousness is a gift, partaking of His divine nature, being created after the likeness of God, and the fruit of righteousness leads into holiness or sanctification. This is another amazing verse that speaks of the teachings of baptism, transformation by the renewing of the mind, and of the new man having the divine nature of God. So we establish in truth, without doubt, that because we have been partakers of His divine nature, and as Paul writes, because we have received righteousness as a free gift in Christ, because of such gifts in Christ, righteousness and holiness is our true nature. This is the whole concept Paul writes of when he says with confidence or boldness we can approach our heavenly Father. Also we establish that sanctification is a process of the believer being progressively transformed into the image of Christ, from glory to glory, being renewed each day in Spirit. It is the inward becoming outward reality, or as Paul writes, working out your salvation.
"He has granted to us his precious and very great promises so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."23
Holiness is described as "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world." It is amazing, I have His nature, I am His child, I am surely different, and I can boldly come before Him. No longer is our nature that of sin, we were slaves to sin, now we are slaves to righteousness. Holiness begins with partaking of His divine nature, the seed of righteousness has been planted, "enslaved to God you possess the fruit of you unto sanctification." What do we possess? fruit that leads to sanctification. What does righteousness lead to? sanctification. What is needed during sanctification? trust and rest, the fruit of righteousness. Think of being in the likeness of His death, entombed with Christ, or the caterpillar in a cocoon, surely trust and rest is needed. And it is in grace, as there is no condemnation in Christ.
"so that no one may boast in His presence. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,"12
It is by faith that it be according to grace, "that no one may boast in His presence." What are the riches of His grace? "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"14 "Those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"15 Another gift we receive is sanctification which is sahagiasmos, "sanctification, holiness" it has the root word holy, hagios. Holiness is best describe as having the divine nature of God, and sanctification is the process of transformation. We partake and are being filled with His Divine nature, being transformed from glory to glory, into the image of Christ.
"Thus you pray you, Our Father in the heavens, sanctify the name of you."16
Sanctification and holiness are closely connected. During my studies I noticed the King James version translates this as "Hallowed be His name." Today holy is mostly viewed as reverence, and surely God is Holy and Reverent but this word Hagiasthētō and is used outside the synoptic in one other place, "and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”17 Why do the holy do right? they are partakers of divine nature, thus the holy still be holy. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."19 He is the Righteous and Holy One, and while we will not be so perfect in this life, this is our reasonable service, sanctification.
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless..."27
This word for sanctify is hagiasai "to make holy, consecrate, sanctify; to dedicate, separate" from hagios, which implies something "set apart" and therefore "different." "For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name."28 God's name is set aside, it is "holy" different and to be honored, valued. When we partake of His divine nature we are set apart for God, we become holy. He has made our name great, as he promised to Abraham, we are partakers of the same promise, then will he not make the name of his children great? To be holy is to have a great name. Sanctification is that we are being transformed into His likeness. Such speaks of practicing righteousness, of being holy and of sanctification. If I received the seed of righteousness I will have its a fruit of righteousness, sanctification, and its end Life.
"and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."27
We see a purpose of grace, that this power toward those who believe is working through faith. What is the opposite of trust? doubt. What is a sign of doubt? it is the wavering in unbelief, having a double mind. A double mind is one that is not fully convinced, thus it is one that seeks to control, or to do in its own power. Authority that controls or "lords" over others doesn't sow righteousness in peace, nor does it produce fruit of trust and rest, thus there is not fruit that leads to sanctification, such is impossible in fear, condemnation, guilt, shame... these are not fruit of righteousness.
"You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."28
We see how important sowing in peace is, in unity of Spirit, bond of peace, and how the fruit of righteousness is developed. We grow by grace through faith or "faith working through love." A fruit of the Spirit is faith and love. Also is "self-control," though a misleading translation, perhaps better translated as "god-power." It is from en "in" and kratos, "dominion, strength" with a root word meaning "to perfect, complete." It speaks of dominion within, i.e. "self-control" – proceeding out from within oneself, but not by oneself. It is a fruit of the Spirit. Legalism conforms the outward, the flesh, into obedience, however God's power transforms from within, the root of righteousness produces fruit of righteousness. This type of perfection comes in sanctification, which is His power working within us, in such we find His grace is sufficient.
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"24
What do they mean when they call Him Holy? do they speak of fear? is it the glory of the old, of a God that thunders from a mountain, to approach Him is to stand on holy ground? Do they speak of reverence? standing with their heads bowed in reverence to a holy God. We have more insight, they are giving glory and honor and thanks, saying "worthy are you, our Lord and God."25 The word Glory speaks of exercising personal opinion which determines value. They stand before Him, as He is greatly valued. When we value God, we give glory to Him. Honor means properly, perceived value; worth (literally, "price") especially as perceived honor. We were unworthy, none righteous, no not one, Jesus paid the price for us, to understand such is to give Him honor. Grace is not an entitlement, but something valued, thus the opposite of entitlement is gratitude, thankfulness, "thankful for God's grace," it is undeserving. Glory and honor and thanks, worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,"9
Trust is a fruit of righteousness, obedience is a fruit of trust and sanctification. Obedient children see the value of their heavenly Father. How is He valued? "that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."10 Surely we value His kindness toward us. Our former behavior was as our former nature; sinful. But we have partaken of His divine nature.11 Such is from the riches of His glory. Can I still sin? yes, but it is not my nature and if I live there I will be wretched. Oh, these wretched cry out, save me, teach me, lead me! Do we not see sanctification being perfected in the Love of a heavenly Father? Do we not see the importance of trust and of value? "as obedient children," rooted and founded in love, we can boldly approach His throne, we are His righteousness.
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”8
If I have His divine nature, which is holy, and have received grace and the gift of righteousness in Christ, then am I not holy? what keeps me from entering into His presence? If I do sin and confess it, is He not faithful and just to cleanse me from unrighteousness? Sin was imputed toward Jesus, so that righteousness would be counted towards those who believe. By His righteous act many will be made righteous, He is the Righteous One, and if we have received such a gift of righteousness then we are righteous. Though partakers, are we not earthly and fleshly? does not sin exists in the flesh? the law of sin and death applies, but "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and of death."9 How?
"Indeed, both the one sanctified and those being sanctified every one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers,"23
We receive the gift of righteousness, the fruit of such leads to sanctification. Of course it is God working within. As we abide in His word, we begin to see clearly, as we are fully known in Christ. This means I am holy inwardly, and through sanctification I am becoming who I really am. Jesus prayed to the Father for those who had believed, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."17 And interestingly he said, "And
for their sake I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in
truth." How did he sanctify Himself? Yes, He presented His body a sacrifice, on the cross, unto death he condemned sin in the flesh, not man. But as Paul writes we are to present our bodies a "living" sacrifice, like Jesus who sanctified himself by living an indestructible life without sin. Though we will not be as perfect as the spotless Lamb of God that atoned for sin, this is our reasonable service, sanctification.
"For if we have been united becoming in the likeness of His death, but also of the resurrection we will be. This knowing that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin is annulled, that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."5
This word for united, "grown together, united with" from sun "with" and phuó "grow," or planted together. It is a growth process, baptism by water is symbolic of the death and resurrection of Christ, but it is more, a personal experience. This word for knowing speaks of personal experience, "this knowing that our old self was crucified." I know. I grow with Him in the likeness of His death, I participate in His suffering, I experience death of the flesh. The letter kills but the Spirit gives Life, such is amazing, to submit a child to the letter of the law is to kill, such is not fruit unto life. Experienced in the believer is participation as if with Him, in sanctification. For if we are united with Him in death, having presented the body,
crucifying the flesh of its sinful desires, surely we will participate in
His Life.5 "the fruit of you unto sanctification, moreover its end eternal life."1 It is not by works, but by the work or Fruit unto Life, of righteousness which leads to sanctification, its end, Life.
Great Are You Lord
Great Are You Lord