In 1964 Francis Schaeffer began a teaching series on true Christian living or the true Christian life, which was published as, "True Spirituality." This is a great review of the doctrine of sanctification in the Christian life.
Often we hear, especially in Presbyterian circles, of the doctrine of justification as it was a huge aspect of the Protestant Reformation. We understand that it is our justification in Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone that brings us redemption and a right relationship with God. But sanctification is equally important in that is so relevant for our faith and lives here and now and day by day. It is our sanctification that we need to develop in faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit. And this will change and transform our lives to become more and more Christ-like.
We all live especially busy lives in this technological era that is unraveling before our eyes. And our culture is even more depraved than it was in the second half of the twentieth century. So we need all the more to live by the power of the Holy Spirit and to encourage one another in this life of faith.
It's been a while since I've published a post as I've been busy going through a training program for a new airplane at my company. But, the day-by-day life of faith is absolutely essential for me, I need Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit every moment of every day. True Spirituality has been a great reminder again of how to grow and thrive in sanctification.
Schaeffer describes in the first chapter some key ideas of spirituality in repentance, contentment, giving thanks for all things, and loving our neighbor. He says,
"These are the areas of true spirituality. These are the areas of true Christian living. They are not basically external; they are internal, and they are deep, they go down into the areas of our lives we like to hide from ourselves. The inward area is the first place of loss of true Christian life, or true spirituality, and the outward sinful act is the result. If we can only get hold of this - that the internal is the basic, the external is always merely the result - it will be a tremendous starting place."
The book describes much more about our spiritual sanctification and Christ-likeness. We can see how to be released from the bonds of sin, many of which we may not even be aware of. It is an excellent book for every Christian.
PS - I have been rereading this book and just now realized I also made a post on this in March 2015. It's a good one, well worth rereading!
FAITH TODAY: Philippians 3:12-13, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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 calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Often we hear, especially in Presbyterian circles, of the doctrine of justification as it was a huge aspect of the Protestant Reformation. We understand that it is our justification in Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone that brings us redemption and a right relationship with God. But sanctification is equally important in that is so relevant for our faith and lives here and now and day by day. It is our sanctification that we need to develop in faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit. And this will change and transform our lives to become more and more Christ-like.
We all live especially busy lives in this technological era that is unraveling before our eyes. And our culture is even more depraved than it was in the second half of the twentieth century. So we need all the more to live by the power of the Holy Spirit and to encourage one another in this life of faith.
It's been a while since I've published a post as I've been busy going through a training program for a new airplane at my company. But, the day-by-day life of faith is absolutely essential for me, I need Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit every moment of every day. True Spirituality has been a great reminder again of how to grow and thrive in sanctification.
Schaeffer describes in the first chapter some key ideas of spirituality in repentance, contentment, giving thanks for all things, and loving our neighbor. He says,
"These are the areas of true spirituality. These are the areas of true Christian living. They are not basically external; they are internal, and they are deep, they go down into the areas of our lives we like to hide from ourselves. The inward area is the first place of loss of true Christian life, or true spirituality, and the outward sinful act is the result. If we can only get hold of this - that the internal is the basic, the external is always merely the result - it will be a tremendous starting place."
The book describes much more about our spiritual sanctification and Christ-likeness. We can see how to be released from the bonds of sin, many of which we may not even be aware of. It is an excellent book for every Christian.
PS - I have been rereading this book and just now realized I also made a post on this in March 2015. It's a good one, well worth rereading!
FAITH TODAY: Philippians 3:12-13, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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 calling of God in Christ Jesus."
