EPHESIANS 1.13-14
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17.15-19
The world we live in is a dichotomy; we are no different. We are people created in the image of God, but fallen. We are people redeemed by the blood of Jesus, but continually sinful. We are people who have the Holy Spirit with us, yet can’t see the world the way God does. We are somehow possessors of the new life and yet still stuck in our old ways. This is sometimes called BEING and BECOMING; we are in process. This process seems to go against the definitive nature of salvation. If Jesus accomplishes and Jesus is sufficient, then what is my part? What am I supposed to do with the life that I have? What happens after we believe?
1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Where were you most encouraged? Most intrigued? Most challenged?
2. What does the Bible describe as the motivation behind holiness (Romans 6.1-14)?
3. How does God reveal Himself in the process of sanctification?
4. How does this process give us confidence that we belong to God?
5. What do we lose when we give up the need to work toward holiness? How does this go against grace?
6. How does the struggle of sin keep us connected to and reliant on God?
7. What are the biggest barriers to you pursuing holiness in your life? What steps can you take to reverse the habits and defaults that you have developed in your life?