"..we do not sanctify ourselves any more than we justify ourselves. Sanctification is God's work, and His work in us produces good works, or what Paul describes elsewhere as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-24). ...
In Romans 6:4 Paul states that "we were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." In our union with Christ (of which baptism is the sign and seal), we die to sin so that we rise to newness of life. ...
Yes, we must do good works. But they are the effect of God's grace, and not the means by which we are sanctified." -Kim Riddlebarger, senior pastor of Christ Reformed Church.
It's a difficult truth for me to settle within my heart that God's grace not only saves us, but also sanctifies us, and keeps us. It's all grace, as the Apostle Paul says in his 1st epistle to the church at Corinth, chapter 15 verse 10: "..by the grace of God I am what I am."
Grace saved me, and grace will keep me, and lead me home. The Lord receives all the glory. I smile when I think Jesus gets all the glory. And I smile, when I think He loves to show me favor, and work within me to will and to do His will.
What a Savior we have!
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