Catechism Question 44
What things does the Holy Spirit use to help us grow in our sanctification?
The Holy Spirit works in many ways to sanctify us, but He primarily uses the means of grace – specific activities in which God has promised to meet His people and strengthen them by His grace. The most important means of grace are the Word of God, fellowship with believers in the Church, the sacraments of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and prayer.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are beginning to look at the primary ways that believers cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our process of sanctification – the means of grace.
This question is important because it helps us understand that although the Spirit is free to work in our lives to empower us as He sees fit, He has revealed to us the ways He has promised to work in our lives. These ways or activities are called by various names such as the spiritual disciplines or devotional practices, but here we use the name the means of grace, which indicates that these activities are not primarily about our discipline in following Christ, but rather about the ways that the Spirit meets us to empower us in our Christian lives.
The final part of the answer lists the four most important of the means of grace – the Word, prayer, fellowship with believers in the Church, and the sacraments of water baptism and the Lord’ Supper. Each of these will be unpacked further in the remainder of the catechism, but for now, it is important to identify the primary means of grace.
Additional Questions:
How do we grow in our sanctification?
What do we mean by the phrase ‘means of grace’?
How do we participate with the Holy Spirit to grow in our Christian lives?
What are the means of grace the Holy Spirit uses to help us grow?
Scripture References:
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Colossians 2:6–7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:36–42
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is it important that we understand the primary ways that God has promised to meet us – the means of grace? Can’t God meet us anywhere at any time? Why is it important to stress these four activities then?
How can you practice these four means of grace in your daily lives?
How important are these means of grace in the life of a local church? How much of our worship should be comprised of these means of grace?
Is it possible to be Spirit-filled and growing in our salvation apart from consistent use of the means of grace?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 88 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and questions 65- 67 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Any resources on the Westminster Shorter or Heidelberg Catechisms will have a good discussion of this topic.
For a detailed look at the means of grace, see the series entitled “The Habits of Grace” taught during 2016, and also the series “The Means of Grace” taught during 2006.
For additional information on how the Spirit uses the means of grace in our Christian lives, see the teaching “The Spirit, The Word, and the Means of Grace” taught by Bret Hicks on September 7, 2008.
Suggested Worship Song:
The Church’s One Foundation (Samuel Stone and Samuel Wesley, Public Domain)
The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.
She is his new creation by water and the word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride.
With his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder
this world sees her oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up: “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.
Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore:
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth has union
with God, the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly,
may live eternally.