sanctification

949. Salvation as a Gift – But What About Sanctification?

February 11, 2024 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Even many who are stuck in certain degrees of legalism might agree with our recent discussions about salvation being offered as a gift by grace through faith. But they can't resist the temptation to somehow make works a part of the equation. One way of doing this is to suggest salvation is free and instantaneous (then listen for the "but"), BUT sanctification is a gradual process that we participate in - meaning our behavior and works. Before you know it, well-meaning believers are taking credit for their "sanctification" and thereby are receiving more blessings as they boast about themselves.

It may sound correct to the religious mindset, but let's take a look at how God has already gifted us with sanctification through Jesus Christ, just as He did for salvation. We'll land in a place where our boasting is in Jesus and what He provided for us that we could not do for ourselves.

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913. How Works Fit Into the Message of Grace

May 28, 2023 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

The majority of us who chose to believe in Jesus were encouraged within religious circles to work at making ourselves better, more holy, more righteous, more sanctified ... and the list goes on. We've gotten it backwards with that approach. The better way is to grow in the knowledge of God with the understanding that He has already declared us to be all of these things and more.

So instead of trying to work at becoming what we think we are not, we realize God has already equipped the believer in Christ with all things that pertain to life and godliness. This is our starting point as we run this race and it's called the finish line. Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus will completely change our perspective and motivation in many ways—including works.

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854. Jesus Took a Seat – Already Forgiven and Sanctified

May 8, 2022 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Within the first covenant, the Jewish priests offered sacrifices daily for the sins of the people and for their own sins. The job was never complete, sins were still on record since the blood of bulls and goats couldn’t take them away, so the priests kept standing. Enter Jesus … who offered one sacrifice for sin with His own blood, which would bring forgiveness of sins for all time (eternal redemption), plus perfection and sanctification through the one offering.

In other words, sanctification is not something we progressively work at—it’s a gift which we’ve inherited by the will of God. All of this resulted in a New Covenant—a new and living way where God declared, “I will remember their sins no more.”

During this episode we mentioned how we've previously talked about how sanctification is not progressive, and is not something we do, but rather is instantaneous and permanent, and is something that Christ has done. Here are a couple of past episodes in which we discussed this:

703. Born Identity: You Are Sanctified
752. Hebrews 10: Forgiven and Sanctified (Jesus Sat Down)

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821. “What Can I Do to Ensure I’m Right With God?”

August 22, 2021 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

When religionists insist on a balance between law and grace—or works and faith—it often leaves people in a state of uncertainty. When not very familiar with the accomplishments of the cross of Jesus, they may try putting forth some type of effort to ensure they are in right standing with God… even to make sure they “maintain” their salvation. It becomes more about doing instead of being.

The question we need to ask is … exactly what work or works can people do to ensure they are in an acceptable position with God? What act can we possibly perform to ensure we’re saved, forgiven, accepted, blessed and perfectly loved? Our honest answer should be that we can add nothing to the finished work and shed blood of Jesus. He “did” for us what we can never “do” for ourselves.

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806. The 800 Club: Looking Back – Sanctification – It Is Finished

May 9, 2021 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Since our 800th program, we’ve been looking back at some of our most essential conversations when it comes to being established in the knowledge of the truth. One piece of good news that seems to elude religious folks is that our sanctification is not a work in progress, but was completed by Jesus Christ and gifted to us as a new creation in Him. Works-based religion yearns to try and make the gospel about what we do, thereby putting us in the spotlight instead of where it belongs—on the finished work of Jesus. They will dress it up to appear humble enough by saying salvation is an instant gift, but sanctification is a gradual process which we get to participate in through self-improvement while establishing some sort of moral high ground.

God makes it clear there is no boasting when it comes to our sanctification because it’s something Jesus already took care of for us, leaving no doubt that we’ve already been declared holy and set apart. Israel wasn’t able to achieve this by works and commandments … and we can’t either. We can rest from that effort and believe Jesus did enough to complete the job. Being sanctified isn’t something we’re trying to become, it’s who we are and part of our new identity in Him.

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752. Hebrews 10: Forgiven and Sanctified (Jesus Sat Down)

April 26, 2020 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

When the commandments which came through Moses were still in effect during the first covenant, every priest under the law stood daily while offering the same sacrifices over and over which could never take away sins. The only time a priest would be allowed to sit is if there were no further forgiveness needed for sin … of course, that never happened.

But Jesus offered one (1) sacrifice for sins resulting in forgiveness … and not just up until that moment … but all sins for all time. Afterwards, we find His offering was more than enough as our new High Priest sat down at the right hand of God. The job was truly complete, and the work of forgiveness was finished, once for all. It also gifted us with instant sanctification and perfection—something the law could never do, no matter how hard one tried to keep it.

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710. Born Identity: We Are Heirs

July 7, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

An inheritance is not received by one’s commitment. It is not something that has been earned by working for it. It’s gifted. It’s not based upon law, but upon promise.

In order for a will (or covenant) to take effect, there has to be the death of the one who made it. Jesus died in order for us to receive an eternal inheritance, with an unbreakable seal - the Holy Spirit of promise.

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709. Born Identity: You Are a Saint

June 30, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

The world tends to view saints as people who are rewarded for good behavior. That’s not how God sees it.

While most believers in Christ are being told in no uncertain terms - week after week - that they are nothing but dirty, rotten sinners, we find God identifying you as something quite the opposite… holy. It’s part of the inheritance you have received.

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708. Born Identity: We Have Peace With God

June 23, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Jesus came to bring peace to those who would receive it. It’s not like the fleeting peace the world tries to give.

How do we begin to truly experience this personally? Is it by how we begin to live our lives or by following a multitude of religious rules? Quite the opposite.

The good news: You can’t make peace with God - but He has made peace with you.

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707. Born Identity: God Remembers Sins No More

June 16, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

The Christian religion is often built upon the idea we should repeatedly be seeking a renewed forgiveness from God whenever we fall short.

It’s time to ask ourselves a question at it relates to the message of the gospel and the New Covenant of Jesus Christ: How can we be forgiven for something that God says He no longer remembers?

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706. Born Identity: Forever Forgiven – Unconditionally

June 9, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

How can we know for certain we’re forgiven by God? Is it based on the condition we repeatedly confess all our sins? Is it dependent on whether we forgive others or not? Water baptism?

Let’s ask a different question that contains a very significant answer: Why did our High Priest offer His blood by a sacrifice that occurred “once for all” and afterwards - He sat down? Knowing you are completely forgiven by God should never be something you have to wonder about.

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705. Born Identity: God’s Forgiveness Is Not Repeated

June 2, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

If we needed to continue seeking more forgiveness from God for every time we fell short, then the second covenant established by Jesus was a failed experiment. Repeated forgiveness is what the Jews pursued under the first covenant (before the cross).

If more forgiveness needs to be dispersed by God, then Jesus would need to keep offering Himself again and again. We have a better proclamation inside of a new and better covenant. Sins weren’t just covered; they were taken away.