Lesson ▪ 2002 Tags: Sanctification; Holiness; Salvation Related Resources: Progressive Sanctification ▪ New Creation ▪ Sin, Grace, and Works: An Exposition of Ephesians 2:1-10 IntroductionHoly cow. Holy Joe. Holy mackerel. Holy Moses. Holy smoke. Holy Willie. We encounter these and other references to “holiness” (some much more profane) in common language. Holiness and sanctification are not taken seriously in our society today. Even among Christians there is not always an understanding of and appreciation for the Bible’s teaching on the subject.How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, it is irresistible.--C. S. Lewis, Letters to an American Lady This lesson will investigate the meaning and implications of the New Testament’s teaching on sanctification, which refers to the process of becoming holy. As we examine the Scriptures we will do well to recognize that holy, holiness, hallow, saint, sanctify, sanctification, and sanctuary are all related. Who or what can be described as holy?1
What is holiness (and, by extension, sanctification)?When applied to people, places, and things, holiness incorporates several ideas:
In terms of this definition, a person is holy when he or she delights supremely in God’s character. A thing is holy when it fulfills God’s creative design, thus bringing him glory. We take the word sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared to pay the cost of sanctification? The cost will be a deep restriction of all our earthly concerns, and an extensive cultivation of all our godly concerns. Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God's point of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God's purpose alone. . . . Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the nature that controlled Him will control us. Are we really prepared for what that will cost? It will cost absolutely everything in us which is not of God.--Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, devotional for Feb. 83 Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.--John Brown, nineteenth-century Scottish theologian, quoted in Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1978), 51 When does sanctification take place?
In what sense are we sanctified at salvation?Initial sanctification does not eradicate sin from our lives. We will continue to struggle with sin until we are perfected in God’s presence. However, initial sanctification is still significant.
Sanctified at salvation--so what?Initial sanctification has a number of implications:
Notes1 This list summarizes the use of the Greek word hagios (“holy”) in the New Testament. Five references were not classed: Rom. 11:16; Heb. 3:1; Jude 14; Rev. 11:18; 22:6. 2 See John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (Portland, Or.: Multnomah Press, 1986). 3 Available at <http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/utmost/devo/02-08.shtml>. BibliographyMullen, Bradford A. “Sanctification.” Baker Theological Dictionary of the Bible. Ed. Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.Muller, Richard A. “Sanctification.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley. 4 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979-88. “Sanctification.” Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Ed. Leland Ryken, James C. Wilhoit, and Tremper Longman III. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998. White, R. E. O. “Sanctification.” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Ed. Walter A. Elwell. Carlisle, Cumbria, UK: Paternoster; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. Download This Resource |
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