Second Half Flashcards
What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the growth of the new nature put into them; purpose of election
Thomas Watson - consecrate and set apart to holy use
Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Whom does God sanctify?
Persons born again by the Holy Spirit with new heart and new nature
never divorced from election
those whom God hath from before the creation of the world chosen to be holy, those who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them
What are the grounds of sanctification?
The grounds of Sanctification are the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, applied by the Holy Spirit
the Spirit applying the death and resurrection unto them
Sanctification doesn’t get you into heaven, but you can’t get to heaven without it.
What is the difference between Calvin and Luther with regard to sanctification?
Luther has sanctification coming out of justification. The problem with this is that there is then no emphasis on the power within you.
The reformed view is Duplex Gratia - out of the union with Christ flows both justification and sanctification
(Michael Horton is very Lutheran in this regard - really downplayed importance of sanctification)
Who is the agent of sanctification? What is the means? Why is it important to not confuse the agent and the means?
Agent: Holy Spirit 100%
But we’re told to work out our sanctification… for God is at work in you. God uses the means of grace.
Eat, Drink, Sleep are not guarantees of health, but they are the means of health.
What is the difference between an Act and a Work?
Act: We are passive
Work: We are not passive.
What are the 4 differences between justification and sanctification?
- God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ, in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace and enableth to the exercise thereof
- justification - sin is pardoned; sanctification sin is subdued
- justification - frees believers from the revengeful wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation; sanctification - neither equal in all, nor perfect in any, but growing up to perfection (God in His wisdom always works in progressions.)
- Justification is equal and full in all believers, while sanctification is not equal in all nor perfect in this life
What is the extent of sanctification?
This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life
intellect, affections, will
remnants of corruption in every part
Continual civil war (Remaining corruption will at times prevail; Spirit of Christ continually sanctifying the regenerate part so that it overcomes)
What is the work of sanctification?
Definite: the dominionof the whole body of sin is destroyed
Progressive:
a. Lusts are weakened and mortified
b. Greater ability to perform acts of holiness
c. Enable one to come before God
What are the benefits of sanctification?
- Assurance of god’s love,
- Peace of conscience,
- Joy in the Holy Ghost,
- Increase of grace, and
- perseverance therein to the end.
We die unto sin and rise unto newness of life.
What makes a work a good work?
- only those works commanded by the word of God
- Not those devised by men, whether out of blind zeal of good intent
- Fruits of saving faith
What is the purpose and function of good works? (7 things)
- Give thanks
- Strengthen assurance
- edify the brethren
- adorn the profession of he Gospel
- Stop the mouths of adversaries
- Glorify God (for which purpose men are saved)
- Having personal holiness that assures eternal life
Are good works necessary for salvation?
Yes and No.
As people have overreacted to covenantal reformed justification by faithfulness rather than faith, they slip into antinomianism
Thief on the cross - his confession was a good work (evidence of regeneration and a lively faith)
How do we perform good works (3 points)?
- Can only perform good works under the power of the Spirit of Christ
- Must be a specific influence of the Holy Spirit for each good work
- But we are not to be negligent, waiting for the Spirit to stir, but be diligently seeking righteousness
How are our good works acceptable to God?
- None can even do the works God requires, best works fall short.
- So works cannot atone for sin
a. Even if works were perfect they would fail because they are inite and could never measure up to God’s infinite glory
b. Works merit nothing, because they are all owed
c. Works cannot satisfy for past sin
d. Anything we do as good comes from the Holy Spirit and not from ourselves
e. Our works are defiled and imperfect. - The works of believers are only accepted on account of Christ.
a. The works of believers are also imperfect
b. God accepts the sincere works of believers on account of the work of Christ
Can a non-believer perform a good work?
- Unbelievers may keep some of the commands of God.
- All their works are sinful and not pleasing to God.
a. come from heart not purified by faith
b. not performed according to God’s Word
c. Not for God’s glory - Does not cause a man to deserve grace
- To neglect them is even more sinful
What is the source of saving faith/grace?
It is a gift of God and a product of the Holy Spirit.
Where does faith take place?
It is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts (center of all spiritual activity either regenerate or unregenerate)
What is necessary for faith to act? What about in the believer?
- Spirit of Christ in our hearts.
- Ministry of the Word
a. word
b. sacraments
c. prayer
What are 3 aspects of saving faith? What is faith generalis?
- notitia - knowledge
- assensus - ascent
- fuducia - trust (receiving, resting, embracing, throw yourself on Christ with abandonment)
Faith generalis is notitia and assensus. Faith especialis includes all three.
What does saving faith receive?
Justification
Sanctification
Eternal Life
Can weak faith save?
- Faith differs in different individuals and in the same individuals at different times.
- True faith may be weak and wavering, but never is conquered.
- The Christian may attain unto full assurance in his faith.
What is the role of repentance in conversation?
Co-equal with saving faith is repentance. Faith and repentance are twin graces and they occur together.
Repentance is an evangelical grace (saving grace), which means that it also is a gift of God.
It is to be preached as part of the Gospel, for the Holy Spirit works repentance in an individual through the word, especially the preaching of it.
What are the three aspects of repentance?
- knowledge - Sinner realizes that his sins are against God and understands the mercy of God in Christ. (out of the sight and sense of the danger, filthiness, and odiousness of his sins as contrary to the holy nature) (apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent)
- affection - grieves for and hates sin, genuine sorrow
- will - turning from sins unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments