• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

Are we Sancified or are we in the process of being sancified?

Always in His Presence

Jesus is the only Way
Site Supporter
Nov 15, 2006
50,108
18,077
Broken Arrow, OK
✟1,063,068.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I think the process of being "sanctified", or being "set apart", is an ongoing process that lasts our entire natural lives. Scripture makes reference to us "growing", by differentiating between "babes" and "mature" believers. For example;
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (NIV)
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
This scripture indicates that we are in a process. Much like when we were in school, there were things that we could not understand in 1st grade that we could easily understand in 12th grade. Likewise, there are Spiritual things that would have made no sense to me even 2-3 years ago that I can understand and accept freely now.
Hebrews 5:13-14 (NIV)
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

This scripture indicates that there is a "train[ing]" by "constant use" that we go through. It also makes reference to "infant" not being "acquainted with the teaching about righteousness". IOW, there are things that we will learn as we grow in our relationship with God. Again, this is a process that I believe continues all throughout our natural lives.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
This verse again indicates that we are to "grow up" in our salvation. I believe that can be corroborated here;
Philippians 2:12 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Both of these verses indicate a process, a continuance of working out our salvation and a growing up. This is what I believe is meant by "sanctification", and is what I mean when I say that sanctification is a "process".

OTOH, "justification" has nothing to do with us. It is only by the Love, Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ offering Himself as the ultimate Sacrifice for us that we are "justified". All we must do is freely receive the gift that He has given to us to be "justified".

:cool:



:thumbsup::amen:
 
Upvote 0