Title: Salvation and Sanctification / 2005.5.22.
Contents
1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Philippians 3:12-14
Today is the 267th anniversary of the conversion of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. John Wesley's conversion has a different meaning from that he suddenly came to believe in Jesus, or that he had fallen and was on the wrong path and then repented and accepted Jesus. In a strict sense, it is more accurate to view John Wesley's conversion as a conversion rather than a conversion.
When I was at Oxford University, I gathered students of faith and organized the Holy Club. Through this club, we read the Bible together, prayed, and had thorough faith training. Because of how thoroughly they trained and led a strictly religious life, they were nicknamed Methodist. This Methodist has been the name of our Methodist Church to this day. Strict and thorough faith, that was the original form of our Methodist believers.
For three months, Pastor Wesley was skeptical about his faith and spent a time full of worries and conflicts. You will struggle to find the path of true faith. You will gradually reconsider your beliefs.
Then one day, on May 24th, it was a Wednesday. I came across a small church while walking on the outskirts of London, 'Aldersgesag'. A few people gathered there to worship on Wednesday, and one person was reading Luther's Introduction to the Commentary on Romans to the church members. The content of the introductory part was that 'Salvation is not in one's own works, but in God's total grace'.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
through the redemption in Christ Jesus
being justified freely by the grace of God. ....
Where then is there to boast?
Not by what law or by works, but by the law of faith. Romans 3:23-27
The words of a commentary read by a layman shook Wesley's soul. Wesley prided himself on doing his best with his zeal and thoroughness until now. Wesley considered it the best of his faith to boast and maintain his thoroughness and moral integrity. However, on this day, the moment Wesley heard the word of God, his heart was warmed. Faith is not one's thoroughness or effort, but total grace, total faith, and total trust! Tears of repentance flowed and tears of joy flowed. Thank you very much. He records in his diary that after that, all hatred is gone, doubt is gone, and only confidence is full.
This experience changed Wesley's ministry and life even more passionately. This is Wesley's conversion case. So, Wesley's conversion is different from a person who simply did not know Jesus who came to believe in Jesus. Wesley's conversion does not mean just repentance and renewal, but rather as a process of sanctification.
So what is sanctification? Sanctification literally means to become holy. In a word, it means that through the life of faith, you are gradually growing into good faith, and you are gradually maturing into a certain faith. In fact, true faith is a life of constant growth and constant becoming like the Lord. You have been saved by faith, but you are not yet perfect. The roots of sin still remain. Therefore, believers must put off the old self and put on the new person every day and every moment until they reach perfection in Jesus Christ.
The conversion of Christians, that is, the turning of the heart to God, is divided into two main categories. The first and most important conversion is fundamental conversion. A person who did not believe in Jesus receives and believes in Jesus, that is the fundamental conversion. When you are converted in this way, you will be saved and your name will be recorded in the book of life in the kingdom of God. As a citizen of the kingdom of God, your resident registration is created in the kingdom of God. This is a fundamental conversion. It is a spiritual birth. The second regeneration is the repetition of a small regeneration. It can be called the training of the citizens of heaven. Becoming a citizen of the kingdom of God does not mean that the old habits will disappear immediately, and that the behavior of a citizen of the kingdom of God will be upright and clean. In other words, although we have become citizens of the kingdom of God, we have not yet achieved the image of living as citizens of the kingdom of God. That is why second conversions are necessary. It is about living a new life every day. This series of small rebirths, that is sanctification.
It's not that I've already got it, it's not that I've finished it.
But I go after that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brethren, I do not think that I have yet
There's only one thing to do: forget what's behind and grab what's ahead
Toward the goal, for the reward of the above calling of God in Christ Jesus
follow me Philippians 3:12-14
This confession does not mean that we run to be saved because we have not yet been saved, but that we continue to practice and train as citizens of the kingdom of God. This is sanctification.
One day Jesus asked his disciples. who do you say i am Peter answered on behalf of the disciples. You are the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). Then Jesus said,
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.
The powers of Hades will not prevail.
I will give you the keys to heaven
Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.
Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:17-18
Dear saints, I hope you are renewed every day. Please be like the Lord. May you achieve a life of sanctification. Build your own house of faith with faith like gold, silver, and precious stones. That is the sanctification.
As we celebrate the 267th anniversary of Wesley's conversion today, I pray that we, the descendants of Methodism and Wesley, will realize the meaning of sanctification well, be renewed every day, be born again, and become more and more like the Lord.
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