OUTLINE:
Obedience
What begins at salvation, proper, with the command to obey the Gospel, continues throughout our lives as we are commanded to obey the Word (FYI – the same Holy Spirit that convicts us at salvation is the same One who convicts us as believers).
1Jn 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Obedience
Sanctification depends upon obeying God’s commands. First, we obey the Gospel; then we obey the command to love, which is the fulfillment of the law (Ro 13:8-14).
“put on the Lord Jesus Christ”
This describes sanctification in a nut shell. Remember, the end goal of sanctification is to be formed into the image of Christ (2Co 3:18; Gal 4:19; Eph 4:20-24; Php 3:13-14; Col 2:6-7; 1Jo 3:2-3).
2Co 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Gal 4:19
my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
Php 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [e.g. “obedience of faith”]
“put on the Lord Jesus Christ”
This describes sanctification in a nut shell. Remember, the end goal of sanctification is to be formed into the image of Christ (2Co 3:18; Gal 4:19; Eph 4:20-24; Php 3:13-14; Col 2:6-7; 1Jo 3:2-3).
1Jn 3:2-3
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. [<— this is sanctification] And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
“put on the Lord Jesus Christ”
This describes sanctification in a nut shell. Remember, the end goal of sanctification is to be formed into the image of Christ (2Co 3:18; Gal 4:19; Eph 4:20-24; Php 3:13-14; Col 2:6-7; 1Jo 3:2-3).
“If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15)
“Obedience of faith,” “humility,” and “meekness” all speak to the same thing – submission to the lordship of Christ. My friends, this is what love looks like.
Jn 15:10-11
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
To Paul, obedience was the key to sanctification.
When we’re obedient, we’re confident.
Ro 7:8-9
But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.
Mal. 2:16a [NASB]
“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD.”
“having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know”
It is difficult to get our arms around this. By the grace of God, He blesses us with spiritual sight, which changes us profoundly. We get to “see” Him while alive on Earth. We love Him in response (1Jn 4:19).
Satanic lies produce the exact opposite of what they promise.
Jas 1:15
Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.