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Sanctification by Faith

Sanctification by Faith

In my blog Justification by Faith we learned the incredible good news that, through the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God actually sets our hearts and minds right with His design laws, restoring us back to love and trust in Him!

In this blog, we’ll take the next step in the Christian journey: sanctification. What does it mean practically and spiritually when we view the world through God’s design-law lens?

Sanctification is the growth, development, advancement, and maturing that happens in the lives of those who have been restored to trust in God. It is the battle between the new heart, the new motives, and the old impulses, desires, habits, and conditioned responses developed in our lives before being justified into a right spirit with God.

After we have been won to trust and surrendered our hearts to Christ (justification), sanctification is the daily application of the truths and principles of God’s design law in our lives. It is the growth and development of character that living out the truth in faith results in. This growth and development is an outworking of God’s design laws: the law of worship—by beholding we are changed; and the law of exertion—if you want something to be stronger, then you must exercise it. This outworking of God’s law in our lives transforms us, both neurobiologically and characterologically, as we internalize and apply His principles.

Sanctification is the process of the reborn heart, now motivated by love and trust, directing the mind upon what it watches, reads, admires, and worships. It is the process of the reborn heart directing in what one chooses to put in their body, what schedule one keeps, with whom one associates—essentially, all the activities of life. The reborn individual begins living out the principles (laws) of God and grows in godliness.

This growth builds on itself, just like any other development. We add to our understanding of truth as we study God’s Word and embrace and apply the truth. We add to our faith as we exercise faith. We add to our self-discipline as we discipline ourselves. We add to our wisdom as we seek God for wisdom, study His Word, reason out His revelations, and apply His methods.

This development, this advancement, this sanctification is perpetual—we never stop growing, developing, and advancing in the truth of God’s kingdom, nor in the depths of His love.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5–8 NIV84).

But this growing process is often difficult and is frequently advanced through painful circumstances. As a friend once told me, “Pain is fertilizer for the soul.” It is often through the painful events in our lives that we grow the most—why? Because strong emotions are strong motivators to action and will often trigger us to seek God for answers, which helps develop and mature us further.

Additionally, many of our bad habits, our sinful tendencies, for which we need victory, have strong reinforcing emotions associated with them. Victory often requires some strong emotional motivator to get our hearts to be willing to genuinely transform. Indeed, recovering addicts well know that they had to hit rock bottom before they were truly ready for recovery. In His love, God will allow these events as part of His discipline—He disciplines those He loves.

The apostle Paul describes the process of first having our hearts set right (justified) through faith and then, through that very faith (trust), we receive grace (power) to stand firm in the face of temptation and rejoice in the glory of the restoration of a godly character within. We rejoice specifically in these sufferings because they are part of the healing process—like a patient rejoicing in the pain of doing physical therapy; they know the pain is part of what is strengthening them.

Our difficulties in this life lead us to increase our dependence upon God to deepen the exercise of our faith in Him—and this results in greater growth and development of godly character. Paul put it this way:

Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:1–5 NIV84).

Sanctification by faith is the result of a soul who, in trust, has surrendered to Jesus and cooperates with Him, by choosing to apply the truth (design law) to their lives as God reveals it to them. Such a soul does not win the victory in their own strength, but chooses to apply the truth to their lives and, through their trust/faith, receives divine power sufficient for every battle.

“We work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12, 13 NIV84).

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Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA