http://bible.com/events/44825376
Changed to Change: Our Mission in Action, Part 3
Our transformation is both the MOMENT and the PROCESS
We absolutely believe in the power of God to transform us in a moment AND in the power of God to transform us over time.
Philippians 1:3-6NIV
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
God who “began” and God who will “carry it on to completion”
This Greek word here epiteleō means to “perfect, finish, bring to an end”
Note that HE started the work and He will complete it. The only question is whether we will surrender to that work.
We are experiencing the NOW and NOT YET of the kingdom of God
The now represents God moving in the moment. The not yet represents waiting on God and trusting His timing.
Our theology is deeply impacted by the power of transformation.
-The moment you confess your sin to God, you turn from your sin, and you put your faith in Him, you are forgiven. This is the moment of salvation.
-We believe that the Spirit desires to do a deeper work of not just delivering us from our acts of sin but cleansing our hearts from the desire to sin.
-There is a different between acknowledging Him as Savior and acknowledging Him as Lord.
-The moment you invite Him to lead your life, purify your heart, you are sanctified. This is the moment of sanctification.
-Because He has worked in the moment of salvation and the moment of sanctification does not mean that God is done working.
For the rest of your life God will continue to work to refine your character, molding and shaping you into Christlikeness. This is the ongoing process of transformation.
Philippians 3:14NIV
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:12NIV
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Romans 8:28NIV
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 12:1NIV
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
The mistake we often make is to allow our emotions dictate the terms of our transformation. We value transformation on God’s terms.
The challenge is to believe God can transform us in a moment and He can transform us through His process. We trust in His decision about which one applies to us in each moment.
For further study/reflection:
Philippians 2:12-13NIV
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
2 Corinthians 3:18NIV
18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Philippians 3:14NIV
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Nazarene Position on Entire Sanctification:
https://2017.manual.nazarene.org/section/christian-holiness-and-entire-sanctification/