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What is the meaning of sanctification? Sanctification is the catch-all word to describe the Christian life absent (or becoming absent) from sin. The biblical word for sanctification is hagiazo and means "to set apart" for God or special purpose, figuratively "to make holy or sacred." Although its definition is not in question, theologians have added to this definition a theology which divides sanctification into two categories; positional sanctification and progressive sanctification. Positional sanctification is an act of God performed at the moment a sinner puts his faith in the Lord Jesus. This new believer partakes of the character of God for whom he is set apart (1 Corinthians 1:2). Progressive sanctification (also called experimental sanctification) is the work of the Holy Spirit in the yielded saint, in which He sets the believer apart for God in his experience, by eliminating sin from his life and producing His fruit, a process which goes on constantly throughtout the believers life (1 Thessalonians 5:23). (Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament, Kenneth S. Wuest) Progressive sanctification is the theological position of almost all Christendom. Men of the last three centuries have named different titles to sanctification:
Generally speaking, all of the above are basically the same thing with only minor differences in explanation or application. Perhaps the greatest variation is that of the "Grace Life" seeing as this teaching teaches that believers can walk sinless by faith-alone. What must be understood though is that believers are both positionally and progressively sanctified. Both justification and sanctification are used in conversion and post-conversion contexts. Positional Sanctification:Acts 15:9, "And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." 2 Thessalonians 2:13, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" 1 Corinthians 1:2, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:" 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 6:11, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." See also: Romans 15:16 (sanctified - aorist tense*), 1 Corinthians 7:14 (sanctified - perfect tense**), Ephesians 5:26-27 (sanctify - aorist tense*) Progressive Sanctification:1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;" 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:21, "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." In reviewing these scriptures it should become clear that we cannot choose one side over the other as both are true. We have been sanctified and are being sanctified. A possible interpretation is that the three "sanctifications" refer to our spirit, soul, and body.
Notice again, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Sanctify, as used here, is in the Optative Mood which introduces either a wish or question. In this case it is used as a wish, leaving us to understand that it was Paul's desire that they become sanctified. Having now dealt with the three "types" of sanctification, let us close with a single thought; Sanctification is found in a person, not an action: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." If we seek sanctification through our actions, we will not "glory in the Lord", but in ourselves. On the other hand, if we find our sanctification in Christ, we will find our glory in Him (1 Corintans 10:31).
* Aorist tense generally refers to an 'once and for all' completed action, the mood giving further clarity ________________________________ What is the Meaning of Sanctification? 
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Progress santification is a person. Not a system of teaching or even a common universal experience. Obviously that person is Jesus Christ. Like film being sensitized, then the shutter is pointed at an object and the exposure takes place there is still the development to produce the perfect picture. Also the moon has no power in and of itself to shine but only reflects the glory of the sun. It has been said that we settle for fleeting glimpes of the Lord, so our negatives are weak. We need longer and more intense times of exposure to begin to produce that likeness. Looking unto Jesus! You have some great infor on the subject here. On another note we are told also to, "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.." We are to show him holy and glorious to the world. Food for thought. |
| Last Updated on Sunday, 11 September 2011 10:59 |
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