Personal Study Notes
A Biblical Approach to Holistic Living
God desires to sanctify every part of our lives—body, spirit, and soul—and He is faithful to complete the work He begins in us.
I. Introduction — What Makes Us Who We Are?
A. The Question of Identity
What makes you who you are? Is it your name, occupation, family, actions, or relationships?
As Christians, we have identities such as: Children of God, Born again, and Crucified with Christ. But what are we at our essence? What areas of our lives does God want to develop as we continue His mission?
B. & C. Purpose & Goal
The Purpose of the Series: “A Biblical Approach to Holistic Living” is about learning how to allow God to work in every part of ourselves. The series will focus on our Body, Spirit, and Soul/Mind.
The Goal is Balance: Avoid focusing exclusively on the physical, and avoid over-spiritualizing everything. Develop a balanced Christian life that honors and glorifies God in everything we do.
II. The Foundation — 1 Thess. 5:23–24
A. Paul’s Prayer
- Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica.
- The church had largely embraced Paul’s teaching.
- Paul repeatedly encouraged them to continue loving one another.
- At the conclusion of the letter, Paul prays for their complete sanctification.
B. Paul’s Prayer Is Also Our Prayer
“May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless.”
God’s desire is not simply to change one part of us. He wants to transform the whole person.
III. Understanding Sanctification
A. What Does “Sanctify” Mean?
To make holy, to make pure, and to set apart for God’s purposes. In the Old Testament, sanctification involved priests and objects being set apart for God’s service.
New Testament Sanctification: It is not merely a ritual; it is God’s transforming work in our lives.
B. Three Types of Sanctification
1. Positional Sanctification
Occurs at conversion. Through faith in Christ, we are set apart, made holy, and given a new position before God.
2. Progressive Sanctification
A lifelong process. God continually grows and transforms us. We become increasingly equipped for God’s purposes. (This is the emphasis of 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
3. Ultimate Sanctification
The final transformation when Jesus returns. We receive new bodies, are free from the temptation and presence of sin, and we experience final victory.
IV. God Is the One Who Sanctifies
A. This Is Not Self-Help
The goal isn’t to achieve a perfect version of Christianity through our own effort. We are not saved because we successfully follow a system of holistic living.
B. God Does the Work
Who does the sanctifying? God does. We partner with Him, we respond to His Word, and we surrender more of ourselves. But God Himself performs the transforming work.
C. Evidence of Progressive Sanctification
1 Thessalonians 4:3–6 shows that sanctification is visible in the way we live and affects:
- How we control our bodies.
- How we handle sexual temptation.
- How we treat other people.
- How we love and prefer others over ourselves.
V. God Wants to Sanctify the Whole Person
A. Body
Our physical selves matter to God. Physical needs should not always be spiritualized. Basic needs include: rest, nutrition, and exercise.
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we should use them to honor God. (Sexual immorality is specifically addressed because sexual sin affects our own bodies).
B. Spirit
The spirit is the part of us that can know and worship God. God is spirit, and we worship Him in spirit and truth.
A healthy spiritual life is essential to balanced Christian living; it affects everything else. The Spirit of God working through our spirit enables us to express God’s character to the world.
C. Soul / Mind
The soul is difficult to define because it encompasses much of what makes us human. It includes: thinking, consciousness, emotions, and identity.
For this series, special attention will be given to the thinking/mind aspect.
VII. “The One Who Calls You Is Faithful”
A. God’s Calling Is Greater Than Our Present Capacity
God’s destiny for us may be greater than what we can handle today. It requires more faith, more love, and greater surrender. We cannot fulfill God’s calling with only what we currently possess. Therefore: We must surrender more of ourselves so God can sanctify and prepare us for His purposes.
B. Stop Only Asking God to Change Circumstances
Instead, ask God to:
- Change our hearts.
- Increase our capacity to love.
- Show us how to honor Him.
- Transform us from the inside out.
The Fear of Change
Surrender can feel frightening. We may fear losing part of ourselves. But God may be exchanging what we surrender for something better.
VIII. The Good News: God Will Complete the Work
We don’t have to be afraid of failing. God is the One who keeps us. God is the One who completes the work. We are justified by His call and kept by His faithfulness.
Our Hope
When we yield to God’s transforming work, we can experience breakthrough, grow spiritually, and experience God’s work in our lives. Ultimately, we will stand blameless before God—not because we lived perfectly, but because we trusted the One who is perfect.
IX. Closing — Surrender All Of You
The Christian life is a process: “I am not what I ought to be… but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.”
— John NewtonTwo Questions for the Congregation
- Am I ready to offer up anything and everything to God for Him to sanctify?
- Am I prepared to let God transform every part of me?
God doesn’t want part of your life. He wants all of you: Body, Mind, and Spirit.
God will not force Himself upon us. He is looking for willing hearts. When we surrender ourselves, He can work in us and through us.
The process may be uncomfortable and challenging, but there is tremendous joy in knowing that God is working in you to fulfill His purposes through you.
