Basic Theology: Sanctification - Maturity
Maturity
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Hebrews 5:11-14, of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Galatians 5:13-15, For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
1 Corinthians 2:6, However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
But this distinction is based on knowledge of the Word of God, not on whether or not someone has had an experience such as entire sanctification.
3. Sanctification is never complete in this life.
The sanctification of our souls is complete at death.
Sin stays with the Christian through life, the "hangover" of our fallenness.
1 John 1:8, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
Yet, at death our souls are instantly in heaven with "the spirits of the righteous [people] made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23).
Our souls are fully sanctified in the presence of God since nothing unclean (not even mostly clean) can ever stand before Him (see Revelation 21:27).
The sanctification of our bodies takes place at the Lord's Return.
Philippians 3:20-21, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
At His coming, every Christian will be given their resurrection body that shall fully "bear the image of the man of heaven". 1 Corinthians 15:49, And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
How we are progressively Sanctified?
1. He sanctifies us as we deliberately cleanse ourselves from sinful and doubtful things. The ground of all cleansing is the blood of Christ.1 John 1:7,
In the matter of practical and experimental cleansing (or sanctification) we are called upon to act.
Illustrated in 2 Chronicles 29:5,12,15-17;
2 Corinthians 6:14,15,17 & 7:1;
Colossians 3:5-10 and
2 Timothy 2:19-22.
2. He sanctifies us as we unreservedly yield ourselves to Him.
Compare Romans 12:1 and Romans 6:13, our “bodies” are made up of many “members”. 1 Corinthians 12:12.
3. He sanctifies us as we cultivate a life of communion with God in prayer.
Luke 11:1;
Philippians 4:6;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 and
Philippians 4:6;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 and
2 Peter 3:18.
He sanctifies us as we live in daily obedience to His Word and to His Spirit.
John 15:3; 17:17;
Ephesians 5:18;
Colossians 3:16;
1 Peter 1:22;
2 Corinthians 3:18.
4. He sanctifies us as we keep short accounts with God. That is, as we confess all sin immediately we are conscious of having committed it.
Proverbs 28:13
1 John 1:9.
5. He sanctifies us as we trust Him in life’s disciplines.
Hebrews 12:10,
Job 23:10;
James 1:2-4
1 Peter 1:7
Romans 8:28-29.
6. He sanctifies us as we live in the light of His coming.
James 5:7-9;
2 Peter 3:11-14;
1 John 2:28 and 3:1-3.
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