OUTLINE:

2Co 11:3b
…the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Jewish Context
Sanctification for Jewish disciples during Jesus’ incarnation would’ve included having to be delivered from their false hope (and therefore false sense of peace). They were looking for a publicly heralded King to rule/represent them before the rest of the world.

Faith alone is what establishes intimacy with Jesus. This is the core value upon which all wisdom is based.

Humility and Obedience
These are requisite features of faith that establish true intimacy with Jesus and His Father.

The Peaceful Fruit Of Righteousness
- The humble seek the Word (aka Jesus Christ).
- When they find it, they obey it (God helps with discipline).
- Obedience leads to righteousness (orientation to God’s will).
- Righteousness leads to PEACE (resultant fruit)!

We Lose Experiential Peace When We…
- Allow the flesh to dominate our perspective (Ro 8:6)
- Stop rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks (1Th 5:16-18)
- Try to architect our own peace (Ro 5:10-11)

Eph 2:14a
For He Himself is our peace

We also lose our peace when we forget/don't believe that GOD IS GOOD.
Ps 107:1-2a

“I am saved!”

“God is good!”

Turbulent Fruit Of Unrighteousness
A person who demands that they deliver themselves unto their OWN salvation will never have peace. A person who attempts to sanctify his or her self is living in what can only be called “futility.”

Sanctification…
… by definition implies salvation/deliverance (not just one phase, either).
Therefore, if we want the fruit of sanctification, namely peace, we must grab hold of salvation, itself.

The minute we lose appreciation of the simple truths in our lives (i.e. - that God saved us, and that God is good), we lose the pure perspective needed to bring us to sanctification!

Sanctification In A Nutshell
The ONLY perspective we CAN have that delivers us unto "His peace" is to fully apprehend "His salvation". (Is 26:3; Jn 16:33; 1Th 5:16-24; 2Th 3:16)

“Why Jesus?” by Ravi Zacharias
"Access to an abstract power gives you no one to be grateful to in times of blessing and no one to question and receive comfort from in times of sorrow."

Social Assistance Programs
Any program that integrates a nebulous “higher power” into its curriculum isn’t calling on the power of God; rather, it is keeping Him purposely nameless, as a mere contributor. These are self-help programs (with a little help from friends). (cp 2Ti 3:16-17; Php 4:13; Ro 12:2; Is 41:10; Gal 2:20; Pro 3:5-6; Mt 6:33)

Php 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Social Assistance Programs
Any program that integrates a nebulous “higher power” into its curriculum isn’t calling on the power of God; rather, it is keeping Him purposely nameless, as a mere contributor. These are self-help programs (with a little help from friends). (cp 2Ti 3:16-17; Php 4:13; Ro 12:2; Is 41:10; Gal 2:20; Pro 3:5-6; Mt 6:33)

“Allow the dead to bury their own dead”
The implication is that we are to allow the spiritually dead to tend to their own. A social self-help program is a perfect example. God doesn’t preclude such things from taking place, but we must understand that such programs are NOT calling upon Him for salvation/deliverance, regardless of their claims.

There’s Just Something About His Name
There is power in God’s name. Those who deny Him, deny His name. (Jer 10:6; Pr 18:10; Is 9:6; Ac 2:38, 3:6, 12-16, 4:12, 30, 8:12, 22:16; Ro 10:13; 1Co 6:11; Php 2:9-11; Jn 14:13-14; Lk 10:17; Mk 16:17; Mt 28:18-20)

Pr 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.