Sanctification is not a work of nature, but a work of grace. It is a transformation of character effected not by moral influences, but supernaturally by the Holy Spirit.
Interpretation
Sanctification is a spiritual transformation that occurs through divine grace rather than human efforts.
The quote emphasizes that sanctification, or the process of becoming holy, is not something that can be achieved through natural or moral means alone. Instead, it is fundamentally a work of grace, initiated and completed through the action of the Holy Spirit, highlighting the importance of divine influence in personal transformation.
In practice
In a sermon about spiritual growth, one might quote this to emphasize the role of grace.
It is because God is infinitely great and good that his glory is the end of all things; and his good pleasure the highest reason for whatever comes to pass. What is man that he should contend with God, or presume that his interests rather than God's glory should be made the final end?
The doctrines of grace humble man without degrading him and exalt him without inflating him.
Faith is not a blind, irrational conviction. In order to believe, we must know what we believe, and the grounds on which our faith rests.
To be in Christ is the source of the Christian life; to be like Christ is the sum of his excellence; to be with Christ is the fullness of his joy.
A beautiful vacuum filled with wealthy monogamists, all powerful and members of the best families all drinking themselves to death.
I wanted pure love: foolishness; to love one another is to hate a common enemy: I will thus espouse your hatred. I wanted Good: nonsense; on this earth and in these times, Good and Bad are inseparable: I accept to be evil in order to become good.
Custom is our nature. What are our natural principles but principles of custom?
Call no man happy, said Shadow, until he is dead
I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle... The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules. The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you.
A consciousness of our powerlessness should cast us upon Him who has all power. Here then is where a vision and view of God's sovereignty helps, for it reveals His sufficiency and shows us our insufficiency.
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