What Does the Bible Say About Sanctification? Lesson 11 Know What You Believe Series

“Follow after peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” Hebrews 12:14.  This Bible verse emphasizes the importance of the doctrine of holiness or sanctification.  Note that this Scriptures does not so much stress the realization of absolute holiness of life, as the pursuit of it.  Understanding the three aspects of the doctrine of sanctification 1) Positional, 2) Progressive, and 3) Final sanctification, will help us to appreciate the part every believer plays in their own sanctification. 

Article III:  DECLARATION OF FAITH 

 Section E.  Salvation:

7.      Sanctification.  We believe that at the moment of conversion each believer is sanctified or made holy by his position in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 1:30).  We further believe that a lifelong process of sanctification, involving victory over sin and spiritual growth in grace is begun at the time of regeneration and is carried on in the hearts of believers by the Person of the Holy Spirit whose purpose is to reveal Christ in the Christian (Gal. 5:22 – 25).  The believer’s part in this work is to present his body a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), and to reckon himself to be dead indeed unto sin (Rom. 6:11), that is, to rest in the finished work of Christ for victory in every temptation.  The believer’s final perfection will be realized when Jesus comes for His church (I John 3:20).     

1.       Positional sanctification is dependent upon our salvation relationship with Christ and not our spiritual maturity.  Explain how the following Scripture references support this truth:  1 Corinthians 1:1-2, 30; 3:1 – 4.

    

2.       Positional sanctification declares that God has set the believer, i.e. the church apart for himself.  Who is doing the cleansing and sanctifying in the following Scriptures?  1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11; Ephesians 5:25 – 27.

3.      What is the believer’s sanctification based upon? See Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2; and Acts 26:18.

4.       How long will this positional sanctification last? See Hebrews 10:10, 14.

5.      According to our statement of faith, what is involved in progressive sanctification or the “lifelong process of sanctification”? 

6.       What is God’s desire for us as we mature in the Christian life? See 1 Peter 1:15, 16; 1 John 2:1; Matthew 5:48 and Colossians 3:8 – 10, 12. 

7.      What part does the believer have in progressive sanctification or our spiritual growth in our daily life?  See 2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1.

8.      How do the words “knowing, reckon, and yield” apply to victory over sin?  See Romans 6:1-3, 6 – 11, 13. 

9.      Read Romans 12:1 – 2.  What action is expected from the believer and to what end?

10.  When will the believer’s final perfection be realized?  See Philippians 3:20 – 21; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24; 1 Thessalonians 5:23.   

 Conclusion:     An interesting comparison was presented in Practical Theology:

Positional Sanctification:                         Practical Sanctification:

It relat It relates to our st   It relates to our standing in Christ.	It relates to our condition of daily life
It occurs at our salvation.	It occurs throughout our lifetime.
It is God’s instantaneous work.	It is God’s progressive work.
It is complete, absolute.	It is incomplete, relative.
It is the same for every saved person.	It varies with each saved person.
It makes each person a saint.	It makes each person saintly.