Springs Article 2021-01 (2)
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Joel 2:12-17
Romans 12:1-2
1 John 2:15-17
What is repentance?
- Repentance is the re-tuning (re-calibration) of your heart towards God. You do this by admitting your wrong-doings, turning away from them, asking for forgiveness and receiving forgiveness by faith
- Joel 2:12-17, 1 John 1:9
- A believer commits sin whenever they yield to the desires of the flesh (pride and selfishness; idolatry and immorality) in contrast to the desires of the spirit, Galatians 5:16-17
- Repentance requires humility and obedience towards (the Word of) God
- Repentance helps to maintain a believer in a state where they can hear clearly from God, walk actively in His will for their lives and optimally receive His blessings, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
What is sanctification?
- Sanctification is separation from worldliness and being set apart unto God for His righteous purposes
- If you are born-again, your spirit has been sanctified by the blood of Jesus and you now belong exclusively to God, 1 Peter 1:2, 2:9
- However, you have to work out that sanctification in your soul (mind, will and emotions) and in your body
- Sanctification refers to the continuous renewal of your mind by the Word, so that you can think in line with God’s thoughts and thereby do His will
- Sanctification implies that you should not be dominated by the love of the things of this world (pleasure, comfort, fashion, achievement and possessions), otherwise it stifle the love of God in you and make it impossible for you to do the will of God for your life
- Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17
What is crucifixion?
- Crucifixion means ‘putting to death’ the works of the flesh (i.e. the sinful nature that proceeds from self) in your life, Galatians 5:19-21, Colossians 3:5-10
- This is only possible by laying down your self (ego, pride, selfishness) at the cross and living daily a life of ‘faith and obedience’ in the Lord Jesus, Galatians 2:20
- Crucifixion is a life-long process that can only be achieved through living by faith (based on the Word – believing and confessing) rather than by your reasons and feelings, Romans 1:17, 6:5:14
- Crucifixion means that you move to the passenger seat and let the Lord Jesus take the driving seat of your life by depending on (and submitting to) Him in every aspect of your life, daily
- Crucifixion means that you lay down your ‘talents, achievements and possessions’ at His feet, so that the Lord can use them for His glory
- Its means that you lay down your rights and intellect at His feet, so that He can guide you and lead you in accordance with His will
- “God is most gloried in us when we are most satisfied in Him”
- God is able to do exceedingly abundantly, above all that we ask or think when we learn to embrace His Word and depend on Him, Ephesians 3:20
What is more important: Self-esteem or God-esteem?
- Self-esteem is confidence in yourself (talents, experience, achievements and possessions)
- God-esteem is confidence in God’s ability at work in your life
- Philippians 2:13, 4:13
- What you really need in life is esteem and confidence. You can achieve this either through a focus on self or a focus on God
- A high self-esteem will lead to an over-bloated ego (the pride of life)
- A low self-esteem will lead to deflated ego (depression)
- Self-esteem leads to either the promotion of your ego or the protection of your ego. Both of these are works of the flesh because they can make you disobey/dishonour God and drift from His will
- God-esteem is developed by depending on and submitting to God
- Proverbs 3:5-18
- As you grow spiritually, you will move from self-esteem to God-esteem
- God-esteem is based on ‘humility and obedience’
- God-esteem allows God to work in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure, Philippians 2:13
- God-esteem produces ‘breakthroughs and miracles’ without compromising His righteousness, Psalm 23:3
- God-esteem is strong, stable, refreshing and rewarding!
2021: A Year of Sanctification