Sanctification | November 27, 2022

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
– James 2:14

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
– Ephesians 2:8-9

Paul is explaining how sinners become saints. James is explaining how saints become sanctified.

Sanctification: the action of making or declaring something holy.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
– James 2:14

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
– James 2:15-17

Works Produce Spiritual Growth

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
– John 15:5-8

Sanctification is the process of growing the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.