Monday, May 25, 2009

Holy spirit and sanctification.

2 Thes. 2:13-15 (ESV)
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [15] So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

It’s like Luther lifted his explanation to the third article of the Apostle’s creed from this passage right here. God chose you. God chose you. You did not choose Him. He chose you as the first fruits to be saved. How? By the sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. The Spirit sanctifies you and keeps you in the one true faith. Faith saves. Notice Paul doesn’t reference any works here, or a burning bosom, just sanctification by the Holy Spirit and belief in the truth. What is truth? Jesus Christ is the truth the way and the life.

2 comments:

Steve Martin said...

"God chose you."

Sometimes we just don't want to give God His due. (sometimes?!)

Bror Erickson said...

No, sometimes we don't.