Means of Sanctification
Providence and Trials
Sanctification · 6 verses
Divine providence deploys afflictions, trials, and chastisements as instruments of sanctification, refining believers as gold in the furnace and producing endurance, character, and hope. Though grievous in the moment, these temporal sufferings work an eternal weight of glory, conforming the Christian to Christ's image and weaning affections from earthly vanities unto heavenly realities.
Scripture References
“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”