The fourth and final stage is eternal life, which is when we will live with God forever. The Word tells us that so we can not boast. For instance, love for God (John This ship of sanctification should not thought of relaxing Cruise ship where we are always being served but that of a Battleship or Hospital ship. In the first stage, there is a definite beginning at regeneration. We arent saved by works. It is a process of progressive sanctification where the believer is slowly but surely being transformed into the image of Christ. In our eternal home in heaven, we no longer have a sinful nature. Required fields are marked *. We will discuss the other two stages tomorrow. This is often marked by a greater sense of peace and joy, as well as a stronger desire to serve God and others. THE THREE STAGE OF SANCTIFICATION AKA THE THREE TENSES OF SALVATION: POSITION (PAST) PRESENT EXPERIENCE: FUTURE CERTAINTY: Past In addition, our physical They also began the process of physical death. Instead of God judging us as guilty because of our sins, Now he justifies us, making us right in his judgment, and there is no penalty for our past sins, [We] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24), For by grace you have been saved through faith. This is not always. (LogOut/ Our will needs to be conformed to His will for maximum effectiveness and purpose. displeasure sometimes called the fear of God (Acts 9:31). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). Consider how grateful you would be if someone took your punishment or paid your fine in a human court. Once saved, this is our past tense of salvation and leads us into the next phase; santification. Justification saves us from the guilt and record of our sins before God (Rom 8:1). Each stage has special challenges, opportunities, and dangers. WebLearn sanctification with free interactive flashcards. Sanctification is completed at death (for our This doesnt mean that they are without error, but that any error is not deliberate and is not a reflection of their character. These consecutive stages prepare us for heaven, where we will be in Gods presence forever. Jeremiah 1:9-10 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, Now, I have put my words in your mouth. Finally, there is also ultimate sanctification, which is completely future. pleasure. Because sanctification is a process, it has a definite beginning, middle, and end. and live unto righteousness. Peter serves at Shepherd's Theological Seminary in Cary, NC as the professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages. Paul said, And we all, with unveiled Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 3. Let not sin therefore When believers die, their spirits go to be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Grudem makes a distinction between If you didnt catch that in the previous verse, please take a 2nd deeper look for the words OUT and IN. This occurs in a process of daily spiritual renewal (Colossians 3:10). Finally, the New Testament We are not yet perfect, but we are striving to live for God and please Him with our lives. It is true that much of the New Testament refers to sanctification in a positional sense, meaning our standing before God as being special and set apart. To quote the Wondrous Wayne at length: We are all born figuratively blind and in a state of spiritual darkness, unable to see the things of the kingdom of God. One of the key things to understand about the third stage of sanctification is that it is a work of the Holy Spirit. This stage delivers us from the present powerof sin of the world (1 John 5:4), flesh (Rom. SANCTIFICATION is a Christians current state. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are a Foursquare Church located at 9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503. 2. The reason why sanctification is a process is because it is not something that can be attained instantaneously. Altar call! all other religions Hear the gospel salvationUnderstand the gospel of salvationAccept the free gift of salvation Thus, we can think of our sanctification as involving three distinct stages. The Reformed view of sanctification holds that sanctification is a process by which believers grow in holiness Christ-like character. Wayne Grudem identifies three stages to sanctification (see yesterday's post for his definition of the doctrine). Grudem defines sanctification as a progressive work of God (2 Corinthians 5:9). Not to hide them. Sometimes thats the speed of lighting and other time, that of molasses. Pastor Fred Craddock once said, all of us have dark, unevangelized corners of our lives. Until Jesus returns, we will continue to sin. While the first two stages of sanctification are vital in the Christian life, it is the third stage that really allows believers to reach their full potential in Christ. Sanctification happens as we obey Christ and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live holy lives. The Final Battle as per The Book of Revelation! Book: Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 148 Lectures on Systematic Theology at Scottsdale Bible Church, 6 things every Christian needs to know about sanctification, truthstory.org/blog/evolution-a-fairy-tale/, truthstory.org/blog/community-involvement-god-cares-do-i/, truthstory.org/blog/labor-created-to-create/, truthstory.org/blog/the-american-experiment-stepping-stones/, Four Spiritual Dangers In Eastern Meditation, Reincarnation in the Bible: Past Lives & Scripture, Five Objections to Presuppositional Apologetics Crushed. Once sanctification has begun, we are no longer under sins dominion (Romans 6:14). Sanctification is a process, beginning with justification and continuing throughout life. So the believers love, knowledge, and Progressive sanctification refers to the believer's ongoing growing walk in accordance with God's Spirit, which leads to fuller spiritual maturity as they are MORE ABLE to do what is right and good. No matter where you are at in your journey of sanctification, remember that God is faithful and He will continue to work in your life if you are yielded to Him. Thank God for this conviction! We are co-create, to co-work, as we are made in His image. (LogOut/ It refers to the process by which believers are made perfect in heart and mind, and are declared righteous by God. The sanctification of the whole personbody, soul, and spiritwill finally be complete when the Lord Jesus returns and we receive glorified bodies (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-49). It is the point at which believers can count themselves dead to sin but alive to God (Romans 6:11). in the process of sanctification. Thankfully, the work God has begun in us He will finish (Philippians 1:6). Chief is that of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit). Gods work in sanctification involves all three members of the Trinity. sanctification. 0 reviews The book defines seven stages of spiritual maturity for Christians. throughout their life. And as a result. This post is part of a 50+ post series from the classic work by Wayne Grudem (PhD, Cambridge), Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. This is when the believer is able to attain moral and spiritual perfection. This is the golden text for using entire sanctification terminology. Its not. is the first stage of Christian salvation. That thought is terrifying. To begin, there are three stages of sanctification. We are to work accordingly. And as a result, being set apart for Gods service (1 Cor. Thus, we are not surprised when Hebrews 10:10 says that we have positional sanctification because of the once-for-all death of Christ. Glorification is also when a person is with God for eternity. You can also pray for mercy and grace as. In his chapter on We also see trinitarian actions and elements elsewhere. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Paul hints at this when he wrote (emphasis added), But you were washed, 5:17) Cooperating with the indwelling Holy Spirit ( Rom. In the first stage of sanctification, we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. . Acts 20:32 and Hebrews 10:10 say we have been sanctified. The second stage has been completed and we are a step closer to New Jerusalem. This stage delivers us from the present powerof sin of the world (1 John 5:4), flesh (Rom. 2 Cor 3:18). (John 1:1-5) It is an instantaneous act of God when a person places their faith in Jesus. Eternal life is the ultimate goal of sanctification. Wayne Grudem identifies three stages to sanctification (see yesterdays post for his definition of the doctrine). REGENERATION when we see Jesus face to face when the dross of sin has been refined from our souls, we will be like Him. 8:30; 9:23; 1 Thess. WebSanctification is one of the principal benefits of the redemption purchased by Christ and applied by the Holy Spirit to believers. Gods free gift of salvation is available to any human who puts his or her faith in Jesus (Eph. This post is part 12 of a series on The Truth Project, an in-depth Christian Worldview experience with Del Tackett by Focus on the Family. The third stage of sanctification is where we are progressively transformed into the image of Christ. 12:10) in our new glorious bodies (Phil. 12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.. Learn More: How long is the talking stage? The second stage is the lifelong process of, And the third stage of Christian salvation is, First is salvation from first the past penalty of sin (justification), The second is salvation from the present power of sin (sanctification). They begin to grow in their relationship with God and begin to obey His commands. Instead, salvation is a three-phase sequence of justification, sanctification, and glorification. Paul looks back on a completed event when he says to the Corinthians, But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 4:3. When Craig Barnes was asked out long it takes to be a Christian, he said It takes a moment and a lifetime. In a twinkling of Gods eye, we are saved. There is a reorientation of desires, and we develop a love of righteousness. And we will no longer be able to sin. Okay, he didnt put it that way but you get the point. declaration that makes a Christian right before God which happens once. Justification is a one-time event that occurs when we first believe in Christ. The third and final stage of sanctification occurs in the future when believers die. (LogOut/ "The fourth stage of sanctification, perfection, is often compared to the crowning of a king. NEWSFLASHyou always will. 8:30; 9:23; 1 Thess. sanctification seems to be a cooperative process where a person yields to the In the second stage, illumination, the soul is filled with light and understanding of the truth. #worldview #labor #worktruthstory.org/blog/labor-created-to-create/ See MoreSee Less, New Post: The American Experiment: Stepping StonesThis post is part 10 of a 12 part series about The Truth Project, an in-depth Christian Worldview experience led by Del Tackett and published by Focus on the Family.#christianworldview #state #worldview #USAtruthstory.org/blog/the-american-experiment-stepping-stones/ See MoreSee Less, The American Experiment: Stepping Stones | Truth Story, The State: Whose Law?This is part 9 of a 12 part series about The Truth Project, an in-depth Christian Worldview experience led by Del Tackett and published by Focus on the Family.#state #government #bible #worldviewtruthstory.org/blog/the-state-whose-law/ See MoreSee Less. CGAA will not be liable for any losses and/or damages incurred with the use of the information provided. Sanctification involves: (1) repentance, which leads to change in lifestyle and heart attitude; (2) faith, which leads to fellowship with God; (3) baptism, which symbolizes new life in Christ. The apostle Paul himself was being sanctified even as he ministered to others. Their sin severed their intimate relationship with God. Christian salvation is not a single event (justification). 1 Thess. Sanctification increases throughout life. 14:14), a clear conscience (1 Timothy 1:5), and a desire to avoid Gods "The second stage of sanctification, illumination, is often compared to the lighting of a fire. However, we dont want to confuse positional sanctification with experiential sanctification. joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. Christs return brings the final stage of Christian salvation called our glorification. How is that accomplished? 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