Someone told me of their study on Sanctification. It didn't take long on a subject like this for us to find several points we disagreed. Now, surely we both thought/think we were/are right. And I commended the person for standing up for their beliefs as vehemently as they did, all the while amazed at how blind they were. And, I'm sure the other person felt the same way. In other words, there is no way to know who is right, short of asking God. But we both worked as hard as we could to be as right as we could be.
What we were taught growing up, our presuppositions, our habits and pesonal experience all contribute to why we had different views. But the one thing that stood out to me, that may help someone else to avoid as much "fun" as we had in our chat, and get to substantial issues quicker. The meaning of the word Sanctify/Sanctification/Saint, etc.
Agreeing on the definitions of words in advance is sort of crucial to furthering a conversation. But more important than agreeing is what does the word actually mean? And then make sure that isn't what it means to us in the English word, but captures the "flavor" of the word from antiquity and language.
The word literally means, "set apart". I'm sure everyone has heard that. But what people don't always recognize is it's not used ONLY for one who is "saved" (whatever that word means.) It is also set for the prize bull in your herd, or an inanimate object even. You can sanctifiy a laver to wash your hands with, and you can sanctify the carpet you walk on. Think of anything in a synogogue that would be used for services, and it can be sanctified.
Now, my friend had done a study on the word, sanctified. If you go to http://www.blueletterbible.com/, type sanctifiy in the search, hit enter, you will see it's used 25 times in 24 verses in the NASB Bible. Matthew 23:17, John 10:36 are two great examples. One has gold being sanctified. The other has Jesus being sanctified. So, anytime you see the word, if you keep in mind that phrase, "set apart" and realize every instance it is used, is not discussing ourselves being set apart by God, we can get a better understanding.
But, even in the instances that it does apply to us, the Church, there are different meanings. This is where they confusion occurs.
Part of the problem is people are preached "you are a sinner, repent, be saved" as the gospel. AND it is an important part of the Gospel. But the fact you are "saved" for a reason is not taught as much and the message gets out of balance. Eph 2:10.
So, when people believe Jesus was ONLY about saving 'ME', the rest of the story is forgotten. Paul talked about Meat eaters, and milk drinkers; those who were perfect, and those not yet perfected. We see a level of maturity is attainable after salvation. This growth, is part of the rest of the Gospel Story. Paul showed us that some were more "grown up" spiritually and were no longer drinking milk. Do you think one of them was sanctified and the other one wasn't? And the important question, when he's discussing the ones who are sanctified, does that apply to the milk or the meat consumers? Or does it apply to both?
In Romans 6:22 we see a progression of the life of a believer:
Atonement/freedom from sin
Battle with obedience/ slaves to God
receive a Benefit/ Spirit gal 5:16; His Seed 1 john 3:9
The benefit leads to Sanctification.
If we ONLY consider Sanctification to mean salvation; then you are sanctified, then this verse would read, you aren't sanctified until after your sins are forgiven and you stopped sinning. Atonement-forgiven, obedience and benefit-stopped sinning, THEN sanctification.
I think it makes more sense like this. Anytime you are atoned for, God has set you apart. That means that is a person who is sanctified in the sense of being set apart. This person could be a "milker" or less mature person, depending on how you look at things, but is still "saved" thus sanctified.
In the verse above, Rom 6:22 Paul has been talking about the growth of a believer. In Romans 8 it ends with a person so mature, the sinful nature is no longer in them. That's a far cry from a milk drinking new believer. There is a progression we see in this segment of the letter.
You are here, Romans 6, and have to battle this nature of sin.
This is what that nature of sin is like, and how it affects you, Romans 7.
Who will save me from this predicament? (end of Rom 7)
Thanks to Him, and when I'm indwelled by the Spirit I'm no longer in the Flesh. Or, if I'm still in the Flesh I'm not yet indwelled by the Spirit.
The salvation sets you apart. But from then, you start a walk that will change you and no longer require God to set you apart in His mind, you will be changed and be apart permanently.
Sanctified at Salvation
leading to
A change to a totally different person.
You probably disagree with how complete the change is compared to how I see it. So I'll leave that for another day.
http://www.bible-knowledge.com/sanctification-article/
