The Work of Sanctification

 

The Lord said to me…”I will test my people with a Plumbline, Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

The Work of Sanctification

The Promise Book

Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, completing our sanctification in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (HCSB)

These promises refer to God’s assurances of His presence see (6:16) (6:17b-18) to those who obey Him. This obedience requires purification (let us purify ourselves), which here implies separation (cf. Matt. 8:3; Deut. 19:13) from everything that contaminates body and spirit and from every person who pollutes the truth (cf. 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). “Body and spirit” refers to the whole person in his external and internal aspects (cf. 7:5). In an attitude of reverence for God (cf. 5:11) which produces obedience, sanctification (holiness) can be perfected, that is, completed or matured. This is a maturing, growing holiness, an increased Christlikeness (3:18), a progressive sanctification (not sinless perfection).

This work of the Holy Spirit that separates believers in Jesus from the world; at time of saving faith in Jesus, the believer is made a saint therefore, all saints are saints.  The believer participates with the Spirirt in a process of transformation that continuers until glorification. The goal of sanctifiction is progressive conformity to thew image of Jesus Christ.

• Psalms 147:11 (HCSB) The LORD values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.
• Proverbs 1:7 (HCSB) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
• Revelation 14:7 (HCSB) He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
  

If Regeneration has to do with our nature, Justification with our standing, and Adoption with our position, then Sanctification has to do with our character and conduct. In Justification we are declared righteous in order that, in Sanctification, we may become righteous. Justification is what God does for us, while Sanctification is what God does in us. Justification puts us into a right relationship with God, while Sanctification exhibits the fruit of that relationship—a life separated from a sinful world and dedicated unto God.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NRSV) But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.