22nd May 2025

22nd May 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Philippians 2v12)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Do you remember our discussion about monergism and synergism? You do? Great! When it comes to regeneration we are not synergists because we understand that God works alone. But what about sanctification? One common mistake is to believe that God regenerates us, calls us to faith, justifies us and then leaves us to get on with the work of sanctification. This is simply false. The work of sanctification is not ours alone because if it were no one would be sanctified. 


So how should we view sanctification? It is possible to say that sanctification is synergistic - both God and humans are active in the work. What do I mean? Without the Lord there would be no sanctification. Paul once wrote “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that works in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2v12). God works in us in sanctification - He renews us and gives us both the desire and the ability to love and obey Him. The Lord is not absent from sanctification. He begins the work, He continues it and He will certainly complete it.


However, in sanctification we have a God given responsibility to act. We can do nothing in regeneration and we are passive in justification but the Lord has blessed us with an abundance of gifts which, when used rightly will certainly see us sanctified. If you have listened to me for a while then you know that I often speak about the ordinary means of grace. These are the means by which God communicates His grace to us and they are the Word of God, Sacraments and prayer. If we are to be sanctified then these are the means by which the Lord will do His work.


If I harp on about the ordinary means it is because I am convinced they are so easily neglected and if I have a great fear for our church it is simply that we have become bored with what takes place every Sunday at Edengrove. Brothers and sisters, do you desire growth and sanctification in your Christian walk? Yes? Then accept no substitutes and earnestly desire the ordinary means - work out your salvation in fear and trembling. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q90 How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation? That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
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