Sanctification

Last week was justification, which is a declaration of righteousness

God sees us cloaked in the righteousness of Christ

Not without trouble understanding it, especially since the idea of “faith alone” but not “…that is alone...” comes up as we examine Paul’s use of the term and James’s use of it

Sanctification is a bit easier—less like nailing Jello to a tree

Used 30 times in NT

Same word underlies hallowed in the Lord’s prayer; is made holy in 1 Cor. 7, …because of his wife, …sacred in Mt.23:17.

Some Usages

John 17 17, Eph 5 26, 1 Thes. 5 23, 1 Pe 3 15 (honor and holy)

Helpful Thoughts

From Charles Ryrie

Basically: set apart

First aspect: every believer has positional sanctification—once saved, we are set apart to Christ (1 Cor 1.2)

Second: each believer has experiential or progressive sanctification as we work toward becoming more Christ-like (1 Pe. 1 16)

Third: ultimate sanctification, attained in heaven when we are eternally and completely set apart to God (Jude 24-25)

Lexham’s survey: Although sanctification is first and foremost a supernatural work of God in a person’s life, it also requires the active cooperation of the person through faith, obedience, and submission to the divine work (Rom 6:19; 12:1; Phil 2:12–13; 2 Tim 2:21; Heb 12:14)