I OPENED the previous comments saying,
We don’t hear much about consecration or holiness these days (something I wish to address in the future), but sanctification is familiar territory; our confessions speak much to it. The author here speaks rightly to the various aspects of sanctification, or what is sometimes called in three phases: positional, progressive, and final (or ultimate) sanctification, noting excellent illustrations and implications for our consideration.
WHEN we look at the definitions of sanctification there is little disagreement. But holiness as a synonym? Consider this: …“God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it” (Gen. 2:3). He set apart the Sabbath as a special day. Further, the sinless Lord Jesus said, “I sanctify myself’ (John 17:19). These denotes a singularity of purpose as in, Hallowed be thy name. Without going into lengthy discussion, the kingdom in of the heart working itself out in faith and practice. Thus sanctification is of the heart – “holiness,” every thought captive to thy will being done.
TO repeat, holiness has lost its emphasis and place in our society, and needs to be revived in our thinking, hearts, and actions! We ended with our author’s comments, Every believer, whether babe or veteran, is already separated unto God in Christ Jesus. What makes the difference in the believer’s condition is that he becomes clearly aware of his sanctified position in the risen Lord. — We will pick up here, where we left off.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 23—Sanctification and Consecration — continued
Every believer, whether babe or veteran, is already separated unto God in Christ Jesus. What makes the difference in the believer’s condition is that he becomes clearly aware of his sanctified position in the risen Lord. Jude wrote his epistle “to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called” (v. 1). Our Father has eternally set us apart and preserved us in His Son, and called us to His service. All of the growing believer’s life is considered service, whether it be formal or otherwise.
Our sanctification is not only the will and the work of the Father, but it is in and through the Son. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us … sanctification…” (1 Cor. 1:30). Here we can see that our positional sanctification is a gift, just as is our righteousness. When through faith we were born into the Lord Jesus, He became our righteousness and our sanctification, not partially, but completely. “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him…” (Col. 2:9, 10).
It is a great relief and joy for the struggling believer to realize that when he received Christ as his righteousness by faith, he also received Him as his sanctification. Many people struggle and work for a righteousness of their own, until they finally receive His righteousness by faith. Then, as believers, they set about to labor through the whole futile process again, struggling to produce a sanctification of their own instead of resting in His sanctification as a gift. The Lord Jesus sent Paul unto the Gentiles “to open their eyes … that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18, NASB). …….. to be continued
