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.
We don't make bicycles anymore. It's all human relations now. The eggheads sit around trying to figure out new ways for everyone to be happy. Nobody can get fired, no matter what; and if somebody does accidentally make a bicycle, the union accuses us of cruel and inhuman practices and the government confiscates the bicycle for back taxes and gives it to a blind man in Afghanistan.
I've wondered, though, if one of the reasons we fail to acknowledge the brilliance of life is because we don't want the responsibility inherent in the acknowledgment. We don't want to be characters in a story because characters have to move and breathe and face conflict with courage. And if life isn't remarkable, then we don't have to do any of that; we can be unwilling victims instead of grateful participants.
He who desires to worship God must harbor no childish illusions about the matter but bravely renounce his liberty and humanity.
This crime called blasphemy was invented by priests for the purpose of defending doctrines not able to take care of themselves.
It is not that the girl is unfit for everything, it is that she is not of this world.
In this mob of I's inside, which one is me? Hear me out. I know I'm wandering, but don't start putting a lid on this racket. No telling what I'll do then. Every moment I'm thrown by your story. One moment it's happy, and I'm singing. One moment it's sad, and I'm weeping. It turns bitter, and I pull away. But then you spill a little grace, and just like that, I'm all light. It's not so bad, this arrangement, actually.
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