A View of Sanctification as being Combined with Salvation Instead of being Apart from It

A definition of sanctification that is combined with salvation instead of being a thing apart from it:

<A> I don't view sanctification like you do. I think that when we look at the very definition of the word, we can see when sanctification occurs.

Sanctification has a two-fold meaning. It means to be cleansed, and to be set apart. That is the meaning of the word. Now consider when we are cleansed. We are cleansed of our past sins, when we receive the forgiveness of our sins. Thats when we first become a Christian. And now consider when we are "set apart". We are "set apart" when God adds us to His kingdom. Colossians 1:13 tells us; "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of His beloved Son." And that happens at the same moment that we are forgiven of our sins. Therefore, we are sanctified, immediately when we are saved from our sins.

Now as to your view of "progressiveness", I agree that we are forgiven of sins again and again, as we repent of new sin that we commit after our original forgiveness. But at that point, we have already been sanctified.. In other words, we have already been forgiven of sins, and we have been set apart in the kingdom of God.

<ME-A> Do you see anything like I described, where we gain skill in doing what's right? What do you call that?

<A> Sure I do see that. Hopefully, as we grow as Christians, we get stronger all the time, and more able to follow Gods commands. Thats what you're calling "skill" isn't it? I would call that growing in faith and in maturity as a Christian. I believe that is what the bible calls it also.

For example, Eph 4:13 says; "until we all come to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man. To the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

<ME-A> Thanks for the lead! Going from here (Ephesians 4:13), I found "perfecting" in the verse before (verse 12), which is the action that leads to the results in verse 13. The word “perfecting” (G2677, katartismos) is only found here, but it is from “perfect” (G2675, katartizō), which is found for physical matters in:

Matthew 4:21 (“mending”), Mark 1:19 (“mending”), Hebrews 11:3 (“framed”)

and for spiritual matters in:

Matthew 21:16,  Luke 6:40, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 6:1 (“restore”), 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Hebrews 13:21, 1 Peter 5:10

and otherwise in:

Romans 9:22 (“fitted”), Hebrews 10:5 (“prepared”)

----------

 Mat 4:21
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending G2675 their nets; and he called them.

 Mat 21:16
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected G2675 praise?

 Mar 1:19
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending G2675 their nets.

 Luk 6:40
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect G2675 shall be as his master.

 Rom 9:22
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted G2675 to destruction:

 1Co 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together G2675 in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 2Co 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, G2675 be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

 Gal 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore G2675 such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

 1Th 3:10
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect G2675 that which is lacking in your faith?

 Heb 10:5
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared G2675 me:

 Heb 11:3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed G2675 by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 Heb 13:21
Make G2675 ➔ you perfect G2675 in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 1Pe 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make G2675 ➔ you perfect, G2675 stablish, strengthen, settle you.

_________________________________________________________________

<B> Soul sanctification is a process called “the renewing of the mind”. Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Also called “renewed” in 2 Corinthians 4:16, Ephesians 4:23, Colossians 3:10.

Well believing in his resurrection encourages us to hard Times trials and even the loss of our love ones or our own eminent death, in no wise is the primary means of sanctification of the soul of a man. But it is by the Holy Spirit‘s work as stated in Titus 3:5 through the washing of the water of the word of God and the regeneration of our spirit combined with the process God uses through his word To sanctify us daily.

<ME-B> Thanks for the references. I've got the verb "perfect" from Ephesians 4:12 that results in maturity in verse 13, and there are several verses that deal with this perfecting for physical matters in:

Matthew 4:21 (“mending”), Mark 1:19 (“mending”), Hebrews 11:3 (“framed”)

and for spiritual matters in:

Matthew 21:16, Luke 6:40, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 6:1 (“restore”), 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Hebrews 13:21, 1 Peter 5:10

and otherwise in:

Romans 9:22 (“fitted”), Hebrews 10:5 (“prepared”)

So, "renew" is another one to track down, and I appreciate the lead.

Believing the Resurrection is a preliminary step connected with trusting the Spirit of Life (by Who's Law we now live by - Romans 8:2) Who does as you said, "work as stated in Titus 3:5 through the washing of the water of the word of God and the regeneration of our spirit combined with the process God uses through his word To sanctify us daily.


Popular Posts

What the Church Should Know and Do

The Problem of Evil

Notes on Paw Creek Video about Heresy in TBN

Analysis for a Baby Christian - On Women Pastors

A Special Forces Demon Attack in a Dream

The Strange Meanness of Christians

Countering the Concept that the Bible Does Not Help with Everything in Modern Life

The Semantic Trickery in the 'Bring the War Home' Book Blurb

Track the Basis of Your Preaching Message, Dear Church - Psychology Based and Inverted Reading of Scripture

Answers about Gender Dysphoria