Sanctification

[netchaplain]

Sanctification​

​

Many believers of late are of the notion that “sanctification” is a process involving the completion of one’s salvation, and that one cannot know for certain when, or even if one is or will be saved until this sanctification process is complete! Be encouraged, dearly beloved in Christ to know that at the moment one is brought to faith in Christ, all within is complete and entire concerning “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2Pe 1:3), which most importantly includes—redemption within salvation!

As one cannot grow into “being holy” (either one is are isn’t), so also one does not grow into being sanctified, nor is it ever descriptively used in Scripture to denote a process. It’s not as though one can do anything to be sanctified (which comes only by the Spirit at rebirth - 1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2), it must be imputed, which is the same for all the attributes of God (except salvation, which is imparted and not imputed). Any concept that tends to attribute works towards producing or retaining redemption (usually inadvertently) detracts from attributing glory to God. Works are the fruit of godliness, and not the source of godliness, which is solely of God; and the most prevalent trademark of doctrinal-error within Christianity is works-attribution towards the apprehension and retention of godliness, which detracts testimony from unlearned believers.

I believe that the sole provision in spiritual growth of one’s faith of Christianity (faith is the only godly attribute which grows, and in strength of quality not quantity, as all else is complete) lies within that which concerns its completeness and permanency (because they are the derivatives of all growth truths); and one’s testimony of love to others and the endurance of trials will be manifested in accordance to the level of the understanding and application of these two Biblical truths.

With the most important growth truths comes also the most difficulties (of course) concerning their understanding and application, which answers to why there is not only a waning in many Christians spiritual growth, but also in the number of many long time Church attendees (within the last couple generations).
NC

 

[for_his_glory]

Sanctified means set apart and declared holy unto God.

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 

[netchaplain]

Sanctified means set apart and declared holy unto God.

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hi Sis, and amen! Yes, and it is very similar to holiness concerning their states. I believe the only difference can be seen in their applications, in that sanctification is the work of God which imputes holiness to the believer.

The purpose of the article is to make aware the error concerning the conception that not only is sanctification a process, but that salvation is also a process. I believe it should pointed out that salvation is never processes after once applied, though I know there is a process God uses to lead us to salvation. Many are confusing sanctification with "conforming," which is possible "by the Spirit." We are sanctified in our redemption, which is to be shown in our walk as we progressively mature in "being conformed" (Rom 8:29).

God's blessings to the Family!

 

[Boaz]

Hi Sis, and amen! Yes, and it is very similar to holiness concerning their states. I believe the only difference can be seen in their applications, in that sanctification is the work of God which imputes holiness to the believer.

The purpose of the article is to make aware the error concerning the conception that not only is sanctification a process, but that salvation is also a process. I believe it should pointed out that salvation is never processes after once applied, though I know there is a process God uses to lead us to salvation. Many are confusing sanctification with "conforming," which is possible "by the Spirit." We are sanctified in our redemption, which is to be shown in our walk as we progressively mature in "being conformed" (Rom 8:29).

God's blessings to the Family!

I have no argument or disagreement with what has been said, am in full agreement, not that that matters. I just want to point out the two ways in which the word sanctification have been used in my experience. There is the sanctification that occurs simultaneously with our faith in Christ, meaning we have been set apart as believers. "In this world but not of this world." We now are set apart as belonging to Him. Not a process as you said. The other way I have heard it used is in an ongoing process all our life after conversion, until we reach the fullness of our salvation that Paul speaks of in Romans. The whole world groans waiting on this and is completed in the new Heaven and a new earth. Or perhaps when we go to be with Jesus. This ongoing sanctification is not in relation to working for salvation, works are not part of the equation. It is in reference to the Holy Spirit's, teaching and training us continuously from His word so that we grow spiritually in understanding, and yes attitudes and behaviors. Perhaps sanctification is not the best word to use for this process, as it can create infusion. Just saying----it IS being used that way. And no doubt there are also some who DO use it in the sense of striving for holiness in order to earn salvation. Confusing. How are we to know who means which right?

 

[netchaplain]

I just want to point out the two ways in which the word sanctification have been used in my experience. There is the sanctification that occurs simultaneously with our faith in Christ, meaning we have been set apart as believers. "In this world but not of this world." We now are set apart as belonging to Him. Not a process as you said. The other way I have heard it used is in an ongoing process all our life after conversion, until we reach the fullness of our salvation that Paul speaks of in Romans.

Hi and appreciate your reply and comments! I think that any concept that does not support that salvation is complete upon acceptance through faith is going to leave a believer disadvantaged in their walk, because whenever one has to depend on self, there will always be disappointment. The proper understanding to me is trusting only God for everything and never self. In this way one is certain not to be disappointed and give Him the entire credit, like the good Father He is! Plus, to be accurate the word "sanctification" is never used is the sense of a process but a continuous state of being, same as holiness.

The whole world groans waiting on this and is completed in the new Heaven and a new earth.

This is an applicable passage (Rom 8:22) concerning the article, because it refers to the physical world being recreated, just as our bodies will be recreated (v 23), but this is not related to our present redemption in our spirit, only with the new body, which will be changed from the old body (Rom 8:11).

Blessings to the Family!

 

[for_his_glory]

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

I believe this is when sanctification begins through the Spiritual rebirth of our inner man as we are then set apart and made holy by God's holiness now found within us.

 

[netchaplain]

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

I believe this is when sanctification begins through the Spiritual rebirth of our inner man as we are then set apart and made holy by God's holiness now found within us.

The only Scripture evidence I see supports sanctification at rebirth, but I have no problem if one desires to show a biblical reason why they believe what they believe. Then we can discuss it more completely. According to what I see in Scripture, when we receive Christ we receive His Life (Col 3:4), which is imo accompanied with giving us everything at that time (2Pe 1:3 ), then learning to walk in them, like "Setting our affections on things above" is for our walk, not our redemption.

Blessings Sis!

 

[for_his_glory]

I see redemption being the first step in our walk with the Lord and from there we Spiritually grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior as we are guided by God's Holy Spirit.

Blessings to both my sisters in here.

 

[Boaz]

Hi and appreciate your reply and comments! I think that any concept that does not support that salvation is complete upon acceptance through faith is going to leave a believer disadvantaged in their walk, because whenever one has to depend on self, there will always be disappointment. The proper understanding to me is trusting only God for everything and never self. In this way one is certain not to be disappointed and give Him the entire credit, like the good Father He is! Plus, to be accurate the word "sanctification" is never used is the sense of a process but a continuous state of being, same as holiness.


This is an applicable passage (Rom 8:22) concerning the article, because it refers to the physical world being recreated, just as our bodies will be recreated (v 23), but this is not related to our present redemption in our spirit, only with the new body, which will be changed from the old body (Rom 8:11).

Blessings to the Family!

Just to clarify. Sanctification used in the way I described is not suggesting that we are not completely saved right now, or that we must do something else or more in order to be completely saved. It is merely using the word sanctification to describe our spiritual growth, which is ongoing, or should be. From Faith to faith, being conformed to the likeness of Christ. And I admit it is a confusing word to use, though it is legitimate, I was just explaining that sometimes that is what some people mean by it. And the fullness of our salvation, an expression used by Paul, does not mean that something will be added that finally saves us, I know. It is referring to the time when, yes, we are changed, no longer burdened by the seed of sin that we war with all our days on earth. And the natural world that was damaged by this fall will also be restored. That is the fullness. We are fully, completely saved and safe now. But not yet have we received the full and final benefit.

 

[Boaz]

I see redemption being the first step in our walk with the Lord and from there we Spiritually grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior as we are guided by God's Holy Spirit.

Blessings to both my sisters in here.

Exactly. And blessings to you also.

 

[netchaplain]

Concerning "sanctified," my purpose for the article was to show that it is irrelevant as reference to effecting (producing) salvation, because it is fully imputed at rebirth, same for holiness, righteousness, and justification (all of which only manifests faith and salvation, not produces nor retains faith and salvation).

What Christians believe in accordance to they're present understanding on any issue is acceptable, because we assume that what we presently believe is true, and if it isn't God will eventually give us the correct understanding (unless you're not seeking truth, which this is the only way to find it - Mat 7:7; Luk 11:9); and of course it stands to reason that if we seek Scriptural support for our beliefs we will receive understanding the soonest.

This is a list of all the NT references using "sanctified," and note that they are in the present tense, or directs to the present tense:

Jhn 10:36

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?



Jhn 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.



Act 20:32

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.



Act 26:18

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.



Rom 15:16

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.



1Co 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.



1Co 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.



1Co 7:14

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.



1Ti 4:5

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.



2Ti 2:21

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.



Heb 2:11

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.



Heb 10:10

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.



Heb 10:14

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.



Heb 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?



Jde 1:1

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ.

 

[gaviria.christian]

Sanctification

​

Many believers of late are of the notion that “sanctification” is a process involving the completion of one’s salvation, and that one cannot know for certain when, or even if one is or will be saved until this sanctification process is complete! Be encouraged, dearly beloved in Christ to know that at the moment one is brought to faith in Christ, all within is complete and entire concerning “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2Pe 1:3), which most importantly includes—redemption within salvation!

As one cannot grow into “being holy” (either one is are isn’t), so also one does not grow into being sanctified, nor is it ever descriptively used in Scripture to denote a process. It’s not as though one can do anything to be sanctified (which comes only by the Spirit at rebirth - 1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2), it must be imputed, which is the same for all the attributes of God (except salvation, which is imparted and not imputed). Any concept that tends to attribute works towards producing or retaining redemption (usually inadvertently) detracts from attributing glory to God. Works are the fruit of godliness, and not the source of godliness, which is solely of God; and the most prevalent trademark of doctrinal-error within Christianity is works-attribution towards the apprehension and retention of godliness, which detracts testimony from unlearned believers.

I believe that the sole provision in spiritual growth of one’s faith of Christianity (faith is the only godly attribute which grows, and in strength of quality not quantity, as all else is complete) lies within that which concerns its completeness and permanency (because they are the derivatives of all growth truths); and one’s testimony of love to others and the endurance of trials will be manifested in accordance to the level of the understanding and application of these two Biblical truths.

With the most important growth truths comes also the most difficulties (of course) concerning their understanding and application, which answers to why there is not only a waning in many Christians spiritual growth, but also in the number of many long time Church attendees (within the last couple generations).
NC

The word "sanctification" is a mistranslation. The correct translation is "to set apart". If you have 10 straws and one of them is blue, the blue straw is set apart from the other 9 straws because of its color. There has to be something that sets you apart from every other ordinary person on earth, hence the reason why set-apart is the opposite of ordinary, "so that you may distinguish between what is set-apart and what is ordinary". So, what sets us apart truly? Obeying the commands of God found in his Torah, which then takes you from being ordinary, to then being "set-apart". And through that set-apartness, through the words spoken by the airflow of God, then the airflow of God sets you apart in a deeper way through belief in Yeshuah, by circumcising the heart, once he enters your body. And that is what "sanctification", or rather, "set-apartness" truly is. It begins with belief and obedience, and becomes complete with receiving the airflow of God, which is the anointing.

 

[netchaplain]

The word "sanctification" is a mistranslation. The correct translation is "to set apart". If you have 10 straws and one of them is blue, the blue straw is set apart from the other 9 straws because of its color.

Hi! Thanks for your comments, and I like your straw analogy. I agree, sanctification is God setting us apart via rebirth, and I believe if one is reborn it will show in an ongoing "walk after the Spirit." It's my understanding that sanctification, holiness, consecration (OT term) contain the same general meaning, but function differently.

It begins with belief and obedience, and becomes complete with receiving the airflow of God, which is the anointing.

I believe the misunderstanding concerning sanctification is in conceiving that it is used by God to progressively bring a believer to salvation, which I believe is completed (sanctification and salvation) upon the reception of faith in Christ.

God's blessings to your Family!

 

[gaviria.christian]

Hi! Thanks for your comments, and I like your straw analogy. I agree, sanctification is God setting us apart via rebirth, and I believe if one is reborn it will show in an ongoing "walk after the Spirit." It's my understanding that sanctification, holiness, consecration (OT term) contain the same general meaning, but function differently.


I believe the misunderstanding concerning sanctification is in conceiving that it is used by God to progressively bring a believer to salvation, which I believe is completed (sanctification and salvation) upon the reception of faith in Christ.

God's blessings to your Family!

I have a bible study regarding the meaning of "holy" and "sanctification". Just do a Google search of the following exact phrase "what set yourself apart means wisdomofgod.us".

 

[Boaz]

I have a bible study regarding the meaning of "holy" and "sanctification". Just do a Google search of the following exact phrase "what set yourself apart means wisdomofgod.us".

If I understand correctly, you are referring to how the word sanctification or set apartness is used in the OT and Netc is discussing it's use in the NT in regard to Christians. There is a difference and I have not done a study of the use of sanctification in the OT but they do not all refer to the same thing whereas it does in the NT. For example Israel itself was set apart from all other nations by God. It involved a different type of covenant (and there are many different covenants and types of covenants in the OT, whereas in the NT there is one covenant, a unilateral covenant that is by faith.) One of the OT covenants with Israel was a land covenant with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. But the nation, land and people, were set apart by God, for God.
In the NT it is a covenant of faith, belief in and trust in Jesus for salvation. He performed the full obedience of a sinless life for those who believe. Then He took the wrath of God that we deserve upon Himself on the cross, was raised from the grave, ascended into Heaven as God's acceptance of His sacrifice for His people. His perfect righteousness is imputed (counted as our own) to those who believe. The NT refers to this as sanctification, being set apart as belonging to Christ.

 

[gaviria.christian]

If I understand correctly, you are referring to how the word sanctification or set apartness is used in the OT and Netc is discussing it's use in the NT in regard to Christians. There is a difference and I have not done a study of the use of sanctification in the OT but they do not all refer to the same thing whereas it does in the NT. For example Israel itself was set apart from all other nations by God. It involved a different type of covenant (and there are many different covenants and types of covenants in the OT, whereas in the NT there is one covenant, a unilateral covenant that is by faith.) One of the OT covenants with Israel was a land covenant with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. But the nation, land and people, were set apart by God, for God.
In the NT it is a covenant of faith, belief in and trust in Jesus for salvation. He performed the full obedience of a sinless life for those who believe. Then He took the wrath of God that we deserve upon Himself on the cross, was raised from the grave, ascended into Heaven as God's acceptance of His sacrifice for His people. His perfect righteousness is imputed (counted as our own) to those who believe. The NT refers to this as sanctification, being set apart as belonging to Christ.

Obedience to the commands of God are what still set apart the people of God in the new covenant as it was in the old covenant, which is why Paul said, "for it is the will of God that you be set apart, that you abstain from sexual immorality". Sexual immorality is defined by the Torah, with commands like, "a man shall not lay with a man", "you shall not commit adultery", "you shall not lay with a woman while she is menstruating", etc. You cannot be set-apart if you do not obey the commands of God. It would be like having 10 black straws and one of them telling the other, "I am different from you!", but there is nothing to make it different, it is as black as the other straws. Now if there what a white straw among them, now there is indeed a distinct feature that sets it apart from the other straws. So in likewise manner it is with us, what sets us apart is obedience to the commands of God. Mere belief does not set you apart, even the demons believe, and also many people in the world. But how many people truly obey the Torah? Not many, not even the Jews themselves. So without a doubt obedience to the commands truly sets a person apart from all other ordinary peoples on the earth.

 

[Boaz]

Obedience to the commands of God are what still set apart the people of God in the new covenant as it was in the old covenant, which is why Paul said, "for it is the will of God that you be set apart, that you abstain from sexual immorality". Sexual immorality is defined by the Torah, with commands like, "a man shall not lay with a man", "you shall not commit adultery", "you shall not lay with a woman while she is menstruating", etc. You cannot be set-apart if you do not obey the commands of God. It would be like having 10 black straws and one of them telling the other, "I am different from you!", but there is nothing to make it different, it is as black as the other straws. Now if there what a white straw among them, now there is indeed a distinct feature that sets it apart from the other straws. So in likewise manner it is with us, what sets us apart is obedience to the commands of God. Mere belief does not set you apart, even the demons believe, and also many people in the world. But how many people truly obey the Torah? Not many, not even the Jews themselves. So without a doubt obedience to the commands truly sets a person apart from all other ordinary peoples on the earth.

Nobody ever born or who will be born is able to keep perfectly the Torah, or the commands of God. That is why One had to do it for us and die in our place. Romans 5: 6-9 "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man one will die;yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
Jesus says that He came not to abolish the law but to FULFILL it.
That does not mean that we are to go on sinning or that we can sin with impunity. Sin has its own consequences. Being set apart as belonging to Christ produces the fruit of the Spirit, obedience, and even as believers our obedience is never perfect. According o all my understanding of the Bible, obedience, which is a barrel of heavy weight impossible for us to carry, does not purchase salvation.

 

[gaviria.christian]

Nobody ever born or who will be born is able to keep perfectly the Torah, or the commands of God. That is why One had to do it for us and die in our place. Romans 5: 6-9 "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man one will die;yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
Jesus says that He came not to abolish the law but to FULFILL it.
That does not mean that we are to go on sinning or that we can sin with impunity. Sin has its own consequences. Being set apart as belonging to Christ produces the fruit of the Spirit, obedience, and even as believers our obedience is never perfect. According o all my understanding of the Bible, obedience, which is a barrel of heavy weight impossible for us to carry, does not purchase salvation.

It's not that no one can obey the Torah, its that everyone has already broken it, meaning you can obey the Torah, even though you've already broken it. King David for example, only sinned twice or three times in his life, in accordance to what the scriptures declare regarding him. Even though his righteousness wasn't quite perfect like the righteousness of the Messiah, in comparison to how people live today sinning daily it is indeed considered perfect. And that is what God expects from us, perfection, which is why Abraham was told, "walk before me and be perfect that I may establish my covenant with you" and the Messiah said, "be perfect". Therefore, to "repent" means to begin obeying every command of God in the Torah, and once you set yourself apart in this way, through obedience, perfectly, through belief in Yeshuah, that is when the airflow of God is granted. But until you reach that narrow path of obedience, you cannot receive the anointing.

 

[Boaz]

It's not that no one can obey the Torah, its that everyone has already broken it, meaning you can obey the Torah, even though you've already broken it. King David for example, only sinned twice or three times in his life, in accordance to what the scriptures declare regarding him. Even though his righteousness wasn't quite perfect like the righteousness of the Messiah, in comparison to how people live today sinning daily it is indeed considered perfect. And that is what God expects from us, perfection, which is why Abraham was told, "walk before me and be perfect that I may establish my covenant with you" and the Messiah said, "be perfect". Therefore, to "repent" means to begin obeying every command of God in the Torah, and once you set yourself apart in this way, through obedience, perfectly, through belief in Yeshuah, that is when the airflow of God is granted. But until you reach that narrow path of obedience, you cannot receive the anointing.

I disagree with you almost completely but that is neither here nor there as I have no desire to persuade you to change your beliefs.
That doesn't change the fact that the topic is the meaning of sanctification in the NT. It means, as is obvious from the scriptures quoted elsewhere in this thread, and many others, that it means set apart as belonging to Christ and this is BY Grace THROUGH FAITH. Not of WORKS that no man should boast.

 

[gaviria.christian]

I disagree with you almost completely but that is neither here nor there as I have no desire to persuade you to change your beliefs.
That doesn't change the fact that the topic is the meaning of sanctification in the NT. It means, as is obvious from the scriptures quoted elsewhere in this thread, and many others, that it means set apart as belonging to Christ and this is BY Grace THROUGH FAITH. Not of WORKS that no man should boast.

If mere belief was only needed and not works then there would be no need for an adulterer to stop being an adulterer and a homosexual to stop being a homosexual, it would be, "we can do whatever we want because our belief will save us". And that is not how it works with God, we must stop committing sin, as defined by the Torah, and begin doing good works, also as defined by the Torah, which is what bearing good fruit is. And once we do these things, then our belief will result in receiving the anointing.