WEEK 3: SANCTIFICATION (PART 1)
"Positional Status with God (Holiness)"
"Positional Status with God (Holiness)"
This week we look at the first part of sanctification: “positional” sanctification. This is when the believer is set apart to God and rescued from sin and its ultimate penalty. At the point of salvation, we are set apart for holiness. This is who we are in Christ.
Dig Deeper: This week we will spend 2 days in Ephesians 2. You are encouraged to read the entire chapter both days in different translations. The rest of the week we will study passages in 1 Peter 2, Hebrews 10, and 2 Corinthians 5. Again, read the rest of the chapter around those passages for greater understanding of context.
Learn more about positional sanctification at GotQuestions.org/positional-sanctification.html
Dig Deeper: This week we will spend 2 days in Ephesians 2. You are encouraged to read the entire chapter both days in different translations. The rest of the week we will study passages in 1 Peter 2, Hebrews 10, and 2 Corinthians 5. Again, read the rest of the chapter around those passages for greater understanding of context.
Learn more about positional sanctification at GotQuestions.org/positional-sanctification.html
DAY 1: Read Ephesians 2:1-7
Key Verse: ...even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved! (Ephesians 2:5)
Key Thought: We were dead in our sins, but God made us alive in Jesus! We have been given the gift of holiness which gives us life.
Reflect: Relationally, what gift has God given us? How does it make me feel that it cost me nothing?
Dig Deeper: Read Ephesians 2 (entire chapter in NLT)
Key Verse: ...even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved! (Ephesians 2:5)
Key Thought: We were dead in our sins, but God made us alive in Jesus! We have been given the gift of holiness which gives us life.
Reflect: Relationally, what gift has God given us? How does it make me feel that it cost me nothing?
Dig Deeper: Read Ephesians 2 (entire chapter in NLT)
DAY 2: Read Ephesians 2:8-10
Key Verse: God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)
Key Thought: We have been given the gift of holiness which gives us life. We were created and destined to do good works for Christ because of His work of holiness in us.
Reflect: We are told salvation is a gift. What responsibilities do we have with that gift?
Dig Deeper: Read Ephesians 2 (entire chapter in ESV)
Key Verse: God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)
Key Thought: We have been given the gift of holiness which gives us life. We were created and destined to do good works for Christ because of His work of holiness in us.
Reflect: We are told salvation is a gift. What responsibilities do we have with that gift?
Dig Deeper: Read Ephesians 2 (entire chapter in ESV)
DAY 3: Read 1 Peter 2:9-12
Key Verse: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Key Thought: We have been chosen by God as His holy people. God has taken us from the kingdom of darkness into Jesus’ marvelous kingdom of light!
Reflect: How am I going to show the goodness of God in my life this week (work, family, friends, etc.)?
Dig Deeper: Read 1 Peter 2 (entire chapter)
Key Verse: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Key Thought: We have been chosen by God as His holy people. God has taken us from the kingdom of darkness into Jesus’ marvelous kingdom of light!
Reflect: How am I going to show the goodness of God in my life this week (work, family, friends, etc.)?
Dig Deeper: Read 1 Peter 2 (entire chapter)
DAY 4: Read Hebrews 10:10-14
Key Verse: For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. (Hebrews 10:10)
Key Thought: We have been made holy by the work of Jesus on the cross. His one sacrifice paid the price so we could be made holy (set apart for God).
Reflect: God desires me to be holy (set apart). How does this motivate me in my daily life?
Dig Deeper: Read Hebrews 10 (entire chapter)
Key Verse: For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. (Hebrews 10:10)
Key Thought: We have been made holy by the work of Jesus on the cross. His one sacrifice paid the price so we could be made holy (set apart for God).
Reflect: God desires me to be holy (set apart). How does this motivate me in my daily life?
Dig Deeper: Read Hebrews 10 (entire chapter)
DAY 5: Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Key Verse: This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Key Thought: A metamorphosis has occurred in our lives. Spiritually, we are no longer like a worm but have become like a butterfly. We were sinful, but now we are holy and special! We are RESCUED!
Reflect: In Christ our sins are no longer counted against us. Am I counting anybody else’s sins against them? If so, what do I need to do to forgive? How does it set us free when we don’t hold others’ sins against them?
Dig Deeper: 2 Corinthians 5 (entire chapter)
Key Verse: This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Key Thought: A metamorphosis has occurred in our lives. Spiritually, we are no longer like a worm but have become like a butterfly. We were sinful, but now we are holy and special! We are RESCUED!
Reflect: In Christ our sins are no longer counted against us. Am I counting anybody else’s sins against them? If so, what do I need to do to forgive? How does it set us free when we don’t hold others’ sins against them?
Dig Deeper: 2 Corinthians 5 (entire chapter)