Biblical Sanctification

 

It is amazing to me how often we find ourselves heading down a road, not because we have been convinced of its rightness but only because it is a road with which we are familiar.  We have been taught a certain way, we have experienced a certain way and therefore we duplicate that way and treat it as gospel.

I think about this, this morning, in connection with the way that we seek to help believers grow in Christ.  I think about it in connection with what is often passed off as biblical Christianity, or a biblical approach to sanctification.

Let me get right to the point.  We have a seemingly endless number of books on the shelves of Christian book stores telling us how to organize and manage our lives “to the glory of God”.  We have books telling us how to communicate with our spouse.  We have books telling us how to shepherd our children.  We have books telling us how to get the most out of our friendships, and how to go about courting or dating.  We have books telling us how to manage our finances.  We have books telling us how to, how to, how to, how to.  You get the picture.

My question is, do you see the same emphasis in the New Testament?  I’m not trying to upset the apple cart, I’m asking for a moment of pause and reflection.  Is this really the approach that you see the New Testament writers taking? 

Is there some specific instruction found in the New Testament regarding these issues?  Absolutely.  But is it emphasized in the New Testament in the same proportion and to the same degree that it is emphasized in the endless 4-8 week sermon series that seem to be on a revolving platter?

As I look at the word of God I see a different emphasis.  I see an emphasis on GOD.  I see an emphasis on knowing Him.  I see an emphasis on THE GOSPEL.  I see an emphasis on SOUND DOCTRINE.  I see an emphasis on a right UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHURCH.  And I see these themes, and others like them, as being the main emphasis of the New Testament, and the practical details FLOWING OUT OF THIS BIG PICTURE.

To say it another way, we seem to want to begin with the details, with the practical, with the “how to”, and God’s word doesn’t begin where WE want to begin.  God’s word begins with the BIG PICTURE, with doctrine, with foundational truths, and only after we are established in those things will the writers move to talk about how it all practially works itself out.  But even then, the greatest time and space is given, not to the details, but to the large principles.  Why is that so?  Because the Holy Spirit will lead us in the application of truth if He is the one truly teaching us those truths.  He is a great teacher.  He never leaves it in the theoretical, philosophical realm.  He puts us in places, in positions, in situations where we are almost forced to come face to face with how the truth is put into practice.

Think about that today.  Think about what you are emphasizing in your preaching or in your learing, and then compare it with the New Testament emphasis.  Does it match?

By His grace and for His glory,

Richard