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| 3. Fundamental Integration -> Justification & Sanctification -> Sanctification - Scriptures |
Sanctification-set apart, separated
Scriptures
New birth regeneration is required
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again " (John 3:7).
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
"If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26: Luke 14:33).
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:27).
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple " (Luke 14:26-33).
1. Repenting = turning (rejecting) from your own selfish sin nature and sinning to God's ways.
2. Believing = committing, putting yourself under the orders of another, (present--continuous, active--by own volition) to Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Faith = the indwelling Holy Spirit Mind of Christ, GIVEN AT Spiritual-new-birth-from-above AFTER repenting and by own free volition committing to Lord Jesus Christ.
A believer (committing one) is a disciple (a follower of Christ as Lord of his Life) by definition.
This, of course, is opposite to today's New Age Dispensational "grace" regardless ancient Gnostic teachings that there are two classes of believers-- the "carnal" worldly Christians but saved who need not commit to Lordship, and their superior leaders being the "spiritural" disciples, who have committed to Christ's Lordship and thus have positions over the sad carnal members in their congregations. This is the hierarchy within the churches taught these apostate Dispensational salvation and hierarchy false principles in today's churches.
Through the many centuries, the meaning of the verb "to believe" in Wm Tyndale's first English translation (1527) has been idiomatically changed by the satan's world to simple have a mental notation as "believing" anything about anything. This has totally redefined this word, which in Tyndale's day meant the person is committed to die for what they believed, and carried swords for fights to the death for what they believed. Today, in our evil society, to believe, means nothing more than a mental notation, like George Washington was our first president, or that Christ died because of our sins. This is the satan's work in our present so-called churches to send untold millions to hell by false doctrines taught specifically in our predominant present day Dispensational teachings spread primarily from Dallas Theological Seminary since 1924.
Before Dispensationalism, Lordship of Christ was part and parcel with repenting and committing to Lord Jesus Christ, but today Dispensationalism has made Lordship unnecessary for forgiveness and Salvation. That is how corrupting this the satan's world is effecting us today.
First: Essential Understanding If you do not agree with the basic definitions given above, you are in serious trouble of any coherent understanding of the scriptures at all. You have accepted contradictions and unscriptural assertions from teachers of Calvinism or Dispensationalism, instead of diligently searching the scriptures for yourself.
Further, in this day of such confusion of voices and teachings about Sanctification, in order to understand Sanctification as taught in New Testament, we must FIRST understand the great Atonement that God has provided to man, and SECOND what faith is.
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After God's prevenient Holy Spirit enlightenment of all men, man's personal appropriation of what God has provided , is by
first of all repenting and committing to Christ's Lordship for Eternity, second by learning details of what God has provided in His Atonement (Restoration) of us, and what man's responsibility is in appropriating the provision of faith of God, for his personal Holiness (sanctification).
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The entire New Testament clearly tells us what God has provided. The extent that an individual (1) correctly comprehends the great provisions by Atonement offered to him, and (2) his active dedication and walk expected of him with those provisions DETERMINES HIS DESTINY AS A BELIEVER (COMMITTER).
All depends simply upon a man's spiritual comprehension of Atonement (Separation Removal) and then, through his Spiritual knowledge ever growing in Faith of Christ, his dedicated living according to those provisions. Child simple.
There is no "second blessing" for "complete sanctification" or "perfection". Complete sanctification is provided by (1) Christ's Atonement and (2) our indwelling Mind of Christ by our new birth-from-above, from the very beginning at our initial repentance and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. But it is up to any new born to learn to walk and Live accordingly, loving God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, as his own responsibility to walk pleasing to his Lord and Master. After regeneration and receiving Faith (Mind of Christ indwelling) it is our obedience to Faith whereby we enter a process toward the high calling of Christ to Perfection as long as we Live on earth.
Excuses of all types will have no effect at our Final Judgment. Our Lord is Perfect, His provided Life to us NOW is Perfect, and our goal in living (demanded of us) is to diligently walk worthy of the high calling that we are given in our Perfect Lord, Christ Jesus. He has provided for this in His great Atonement. This is our Life of sanctification. Child-simple.
It is a hopeless struggle when we refuse to reject our flesh (self-seeking tendencies, desires, and preferences) in all things (repenting always) and focusing our minds upon the Holy Spirit within us (committing), pursuing with a Love of Truth, whatever our Lord would teach us or wherever or however our Lord would lead us. Paul plainly stated the answer to our walk in Rom 7:25.
As you read the scriptures concerning this high calling we have in Christ Jesus, keep these facts in mind, and you will not be mislead by all the rhetoric today pleading "works salvation, man's imperfect flesh (carnal) nature overwhelming him, perfectionism, our eternal position in Christ yet our imperfect state now, second blessing," and whatever else false and non-sense excuses.
[[[ Historical Note: Methodism of John Wesley (1703-1791) in England, is NOT the teaching of a second work or experience they called "Entire Sanctification" of the Holy Spirit after initial justification of new-birth. Methodism does NOT teach that sanctification (personal Holiness) results later, after the "birth-from-above" justification, by a later "baptism of the Holy Spirit", which endows with power and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, gives empowerment to witness, eradicates the "old man" the carnal nature of sin, purifies our hearts by faith, gives comfort and assurance, teaches of all things of all Truth, and much more. This Second Blessing teaching came only in American Holiness movement originating in 1835 in America. After our new birth, Methodism does not teach that that a later "baptism of the Holy Spirit" experience is later needed for sanctification. Methodism teaches that it begins at the New Birth from Above and continues in progressive Holiness toward Christ's Perfection until death, in those Truly Committing souls.
All these above teachings arose in America after Methodism spread to America in 1771 and made America the great Christian nation that it the was. From 1773-1790 the American population grew 75%, and during the same period Methodism increased 5,500%. By 1850, the Methodists were the largest Protestant church in America and one-third of all church members were Methodists, with emphasis of that of John Wesley.
But America is no longer Christian. it was degraded by the false and unscriptural Holiness movement of self-experience which changed American Methodism as part of the total degradation of doctines in America that we now experience through progressive regression into more and more corrupt teachings as Dispensationalism in American from about 1904, then Charismatics of all kinds about 1940-80's, and now the final Emerging church about 2000, which is the last necessary teaching for the antichrist's soon appearance. .
It is of interest, that it is said that Methodism taught by John Wesley resulted in the saving the British Empire from total degradation of drunken drink houses and debauchery during the 1700's. Additionally, "Francis Asbury brought Methodism to America in 1771. From 1773-1790 the American population increased 75% and during the same period Methodism increasd 5,500%. By 1850, the Methodists were the largest Protestand church in America and one-third of all church members were Methodist. (Robb, "American Methodism at 2000." Also, "A Wesleyan Theology of Holy Living for the 21st Century," Vol. 2, p. 535)
However, the so-called American Holiness movement, according to Kenneth Grider, started at about the year of 1835 by Phoebe Palmer with a strong emphasis on a "second blessing." and later Charles G. Finney on the doctrine of Holiness and how to achieve experiential Holiness and what was involved in the experience Finney very falsely redefined what Christian perfection was, and Palmer very falsely redefined how it is attained. For a description of their teachings, see the book recommended above, the 2 Volume set of 927 pages, A Wesleyan Theology of Holy Living for the 21st Century, by Vic Reasoner
Properly understanding the provisions of the Atonement in a believers life, so that Justification and Sanctification could be understood as a complete ONE-time, in fact NOW, complete provision in the regenerating of the New-Born, entirely new creation person, would have satisfactorily explained what the dear great giant saint, John Wesley, tried so desperately to explain. That Sanctification was a process from Regeneration and indwelling of the individual to the high calling of Christ to Perfection of obedience which Paul said was his life-long endeavor, and the calling of all the true Assemblies. See Phil 3:11-19. But the so-called Holiness movement in America based totally upon a second blessing of experience degraded into the Charismatic movement of tongues, and many totally demonic behaviors as the Vineyard movement and others, with the emphasis on experience and not on Truth in and by scriptures led by the Holy Spirit.
Calvinism (since 1536, Institutes of Christian Religion), the only available systematic theology at the time, gave no explanation for a Spirit filled Life in the NOW experience of the believer, and one was certainly needed. Calvinism has always been primitive and totally heretical. Calvin says that he took absolutely all his teachings from Augustine (400 AD), who is said to be the so-called "father of modern Catholicism." Indeed, there is not one teaching of Roman Catholicism that was not first conceptualized and taught by Augustine. So what is the speed of darkness?
Because of this poor unscriptural explanation of the Atonement given by the Calvinists, John Wesley had to explain the presence of a Holy sanctified life of a believer which he and all since Christ surely experience because of their true consecration to God--Rom 7:25 and Rom 8. They could not find it in their understanding of the Calvinistic Atonement, so determined that a Process of the Holy Spirit was begun in a regenerated life to obedience toward Perfection.
The American so-called Holiness movement, then mistakenly deduced that this second work of sanctification (Holiness) must have happened at Pentecost with the 120 disciples and with Cornelius and others later in scripture. Thus, to them, the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" became a second work of the Holy Spirit for the Spirit filled Life of sanctification (Holiness), making the new-birth-from-above occur sometime before this. Thereby faulty assertions based upon narrative scriptures (not legitimate direct doctrinal teachings) arose, against Methodism, by later Pentecostalism and Charismatics.
We believe a major reason that THERE IS so much false understanding of the true "baptism of the Holy Spirit" and the simultaneous salvation in birth-from-above, as consistently taught in the Apostolic Epistles, is the idea that doctrines can be derived from a narrative scripture such as the book of Acts. From this, some even say that a person can be saved before the new-birth. Taking doctrines from narrative scriptures is making whatever fanciful idea real because it may fit historical happenings. If this was a valid means of DERIVING DOCTRINES then we would be treating leprosy by making all lepers dip in the Jordon river, or put mud spittal on the eyes of all the blind, and so forth.
The BASIC reason for the American Pentecostal and Charismatic departure from scriptural sanity is because of the sinful flesh nature inherited by all mankind from fallen Adam and Eve. This human nature is entirely self-centered and self-pleasing. Instead of being dedicated to obedience to the Holy Spirit and Truth according to the Holy Word given to us by God, natural man prefers to have an easy way of getting anykind of great experience that can't be explained unless one prefers it is an experience given to them by God. It is so awesome, it must be from God, they prefer to reason. For instance, the "word of faith" understanding of Christ's Salvation work on the cross is totally blasphemous. See footnote.2
We must understand, Roman Catholicism and Calvinism (since 1536) which have caused all confusion, staunchly DENY any indwelling righteousness of the Holy Spirit that requires free deliberative obedience of the individual to consciously experience guidance or gifts of the Holy Spirit or empowering to freely chosen obedient Holy Living. Thus, it is a denial of any subsequent intrinsic sanctification experience of the individual or of any future experience of gifts of the Holy Spirit in only obedient people.
Calvinism teaches that a person is just insensibly unwittingly zapped into a new being and that does not necessitate any inner indwelling conscious righteousness of the Holy Spirit to lead, gift, or empower a conscious free-choice obedience in Holy living at all. It is all just by one inscrutible lighting bolt zapp of the entire individual. He really has no "real actual" choice of his own thereafter or before. He chooses only as initially zapped. He is inscrutibly destined to Heaven without any "free choice" of his own.
And others destined to hell are doing so without any free choice of their own either; they were born to only sin. God is little more than a robot maker, CREATING EVIL and sinners and saints, making some for heaven and others to hell, without any choice, in Calvinist theology. And if such special zapped robots malfunction (sin), it is still "His" zapped robot destined for Heaven. God is Sovereign and thus He does as He pleases. This is the extent of their understanding of God. Amazingly primitive, actually of a pagan god of characteristics only, and a "dead" religion (the Reformed church of Sardis, "thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead," Rev 3:1). ]]]
** Inherited depravity or sin (self-serving nature) is not something in which we are personally guilty of, and as such, cannot be forgiven. Depravity is not something in which we can repent and turn from. It is something that we need cleansing from. And we have no means in ourselves of doing this. However, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Sanctification, holiness. purity, and perfection is not just some mythical transfer of character from one person to another. The Scriptures everywhere speak of these traits as being realities in those believers to whom this grace is conferred.
Sanctification (personal Holiness) is the reality of the Holiness of Perfect Christ Himself indwelling us to teach, lead, gift, and empower each born-from-above person to obedience to Him throughout our living on earth. He is our Perfection, our Righteousness, Sanctification, and Restoration (redemption).
The ideas of heart perfection/purity, and all that this comprises, what constitutes a believer as entirely sanctified (made Holy), is not an obscure pipedream of some deluded "perfectionist," but a real and Scriptural goal of attainment for every believer (committed) in this Life. To be as Christ in perfect obedience is our life-long goal, realistically provided to us in Christ's Restoration (Atonement) of us, despite our lack of perfect attainments. Like Paul, we can only say, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:12).
Some have made a career out of terrifying multitudes away from Holiness by ridiculing Holiness, sanctification, and perfection of Christ in us. Do not allow those flesh driven people, who have failed this grace of God, to dissuade you from experiencing the promises and blessings guaranteed by God.
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in (ev, inside) you, the expectation of glory (Spiritual Perfection):Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect (5046, teleios) in Christ Jesus" (Col 1:27-28).
Dont let the false teachers of the "sinning" "c"hristians today tell you that teleios (perfect) does not mean perfect, but only means "complete." Complete is a totally different Greek word.
The doctrine of Christian Perfection is badly misunderstood. We do not teach that man can be a perfect God; nor do as perfectly as God; neither be a perfect angel, nor as perfect as Adam was. Not perfect in knowledge; not physical perfection; not perfect before men for the Jews said Jesus was a devil.
He drove the money changers out of the Temple with a whip and most severely criticized the Pharisees (Matt 23), which some today would consider quite cruel and unloving and certainly not perceived as righteous actions by some. Although His actions and motives are even today misunderstood by many, Jesus is the example of the perfect Christian - Perfect in Love and Holiness. By most very false "religious" definitions today, Jesus would not be considered "perfect" by their standards either.3 ]]] ________________________________
IT IS AXIOMATIC: Scriptural SANCTIFICATION (Holiness) CANNOT POSSIBLY BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM UNDERSTANDING WHAT "FAITH" (Christ's Mind) IS AND WHAT CHRIST'S ATONEMENT (Separation Restoration) DID. Very little true understanding is taught today about either of these two foundational scripture teachings. This website gives full explanations.
TODAY THERE IS GREAT IGNORANCE concerning Sanctification (personal Holiness). There are three main schools. Take your choice.
1. The ubiquitous Dispensational "grace" regardless apostate "New Age" Fundamentalists (during the past 100 years in this country) think sinless sanctification was never provided by our Lord's Atonement for us in our living on earth. They must, therefore, teach Unconditional Eternal Security for the continuously sinning worldly people, whoever have accepted a promise of Eternal Life in the ink printed pages of their many Bibles at one time only in their miserable continuously sinning lives, regardless of their behaviors or various beliefs.
These are represented in the Southern Baptists, Independent Baptists, and many many other independent and Ecumenical denominations today. This is our modern Godless society today. Many of these are those becoming the Emergent Church movement today, saying all gods are the same, add Christ to your gods; Christianity was wrong, they say, simply become a follower of Christ in your own religion, and adopt Eastern meditation, called Contemplative Spirituality, as the best way to experience your god. Also, may adopt icons, candles, and Roman Catholic worship methods as helps. Eventually these so-called "christians" will worship the soon Global One World Government antichrist.
2. The Calvinists from 1536 AD., who teach the theological basis of derivation of all the above aspects of the "grace" regardless apostates; but on a most singular contrary note, they teach that only certain special people are saved to Heaven, regardless of themselves or whatever they may think or believe. They interestingly teach that these special ones, are inscrutably Elected to go to Heaven through no initial consciousness or responsibile choice of their own. This greatly narrows the field of those saved, or think they are saved, as opposed to the more modern "grace" regardless groups filling our New Age churches of all "saved" types today.
3. The scripturally taught sanctification of our Lord Jesus Christ, who put away our sin natures in His necessary sinless flesh Death in His burial, and His provision of a resurrected Life of Himself to be given by His indwelling Holy Spirit into the enlightened dead spirits of people who respond to His Holy Spirit enlightenments concerning His provision for their lives, separated from Him by their inherited sinful natures which sin only continuously.
Those enlightened souls, separated (dead) from Him (Life), who deliberately consciously respond by repenting and committing their lives to obeying their Lord, who in such a manner provided His Life to them, are then filled with His Holy Spirit, His indwelling Mind of Christ (faith), to lead them in the paths of righteousness and Holiness, throughout their lives on earth. He has provided a Perfect sinless salvation to them here while on this earth. Their responsibility is to live by the Perfect provision of the indwelling Perfect Holy Spirit of God Himself thereafter. This is New Testament sanctification (personal Holiness) in entirety.
This does not mean that human infirmities, ignorance's, or mistakes are ever removed in our human living, as those who carry within ourselves "sin" (self-serving) as our very sinful flesh nature. It does mean that our Lord and God Creator provided by His Loving and Holy Death for us, provided to us a means of Living above sin (without sinning) as we devote our repenting and committing Living to obey Him only, His indwelling Holy Mind of Christ, which is "Faith." The "righteous" shall Live by Christ's "Faith," Perfectly provided by Him. Faith is nothing of a sin natured man. It is not a man's trusting or believing (Eph 2:8-10).
And Christ's provision to us to save us is Perfect and our Lives are to be lived in Perfect "Faith" of Christ, obedience provided to us on this earth if we obey. At the end of our lives on earth, all people (saved or unsaved) shall be judged for Heaven or hell on the basis of their works, whether obedient through "Faith of Christ inside us graciously provided" or not. This is the Perfection of Sanctification completely explained. Saved through Faith alone, by Grace alone. Grace is "Christ inside you (Faith), through your Obedience, Doing what you cannot Do." See the plain and clear scriptures provided in these articles Judgment--Good vs evil/sin. and Sanctification--Scriptures, in Doffun.com.
This is not as though we are ever sinless (ever attained to His Perfect Provision, Rom 9:30) in our personal sanctification, because of our infirmities, ignorance's, or mistakes. But a sinless Perfection of Sanctification is provided to us by our Lord, and all people shall be judged according to it. Paul said, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:12).
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ Liveth in me: and the Life which I now live in the flesh I Live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" (1 Peter 4:18) This is the sanctification most nearly taught by John Wesley (1700's), but who was greatly encumbered and hindered by the theological terms of the Middle Ages Calvinist translators of the Greek scriptures, which greatly hinder all of us in our understanding even today.
Because of the scriptural blindness caused by the theological terms introduced since Roman Catholic Augustine (400 AD), most all people today do not understand our Lord's Atonement for us, nor faith by which they are to live and be judged for Eternity.
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NOW SCRIPTURES RELATING TO SANCTIFICATION
JUSTIFICATION (made righteous), and SANCTIFICATION (personal Holiness, set-apart, separated), GIVEN AT NEW-BIRTH FROM ABOVE, are to continue for Eternity through obedience of faith (Rom 1:5 and 26:26) received only in the new-birth (Gal 3:22, Rom 3:22, Eph 1:13).
1 Cor 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed (aorist middle- by own volition indicative- in reality), but ye are sanctified (aorist passive- by another, indicative- in reality.), but ye are justified (aorist passive- by another, indicative- in reality.) in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are now sanctified (perfect passive participle).
*** 2 Thess 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen (aorist middle indic.) you to (eis- for the resuslt or purpose of) salvation through (ev- within) sanctification (Holiness) of Spirit and faith of Truth.
[[[ Without Holiness no man will see God, Heb 12:14. And whatsoever is not of faith is sin, Rom 14:23. ]]]
SEPARATED (SANCTIFIED) from world at time of Birth-from-above 1 Cor 15: 33; Rom 12:1-2
To Truth Your inerrant Guide Book of God (Truth), Logos, refers both to Christ and His written Word.
John 17:14-17 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify (aorist active imperative) them (ev) in (the) Truth of You (genitive): (the) Thy (nominative) Word (logos) is (the)Truth. (the Your Word is the Truth, in Greek, making Your Word and Truth exact equivalents) To self death Self no longer regarded as necessarily existent after Christ's Atonement (Restoration).
Rom 6:11, 14 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Cor 5:21 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. To faith of Christ Walk with Holy Spirit in YOU
Gal 2:20 I am now crucified (perfect passive indic) with Christ: nevertheless I am living (pres active indic) ; yet not I, but Christ is living (pres active indic) in (ev- within) me: and the life which I now am living (pres active indic) in (ev) the flesh I am living (pres active indic) by (ev) the faith of the Son of God, who loved (aorist active participle) me, and gave (aorist active participle) Himself for me
Phil 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For (because) it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people
OUR SANCTIFIED LIVING IS TO ABOUND THROUGHOUT LIFE
Freed from sin (in nature and acts by Christ's Atonement Goal of living) in Now Holiness Luke 14:26-33
Rom 6:17-19 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto Holiness (hagiasmos, 38, sanctification).
Rom 6:22-23 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, (hagiasmos, 38, sanctification) and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God
Heb 12:10-11 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace (fem. sing) with all men, and Holiness (masc. sing), without which (masc. sing) no man shall see the Lord:
1 Peter 1:14-17 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as He which hath called (aorist active participle) you is Holy, so be (aorist passive imperative- a command) ye Holy (40, hagios, 232x) in all manner of conversation (behavior);
16 Because it is written, Be ye (future, middle-by own volition, indicative- in reality) Holy (hagios); for I am Holy (hogios).
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
NEVER PERFECT (TELEIOS) IN OURSELVES ALONE.
Always moving toward the Perfection of Christ our Lord. In our Flesh-nature (selfishness) dwells the law of sin (Rom 7:23,25). We must die daily, to our flesh (1 Cor 15:31). Therefore, we groan to put off this flesh (Rom 8:23 and 2 Cor 5:2,4).
1 Kings 8:43-56 46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy,....
Prov 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Eccl 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts , as we forgive our debtors. (it is debts and debtors by the Greek NT)
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect (teleios, 5046) man, and able also to bridle the whole body
1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we are having (pres activie indic) no sin (a noun, meaning sin nature of our flesh, not an action), we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our (the) sins, He is faithful and just to forgive (aorist) us the sins, and to cleanse (aorist) us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned (in the past, Gnomic Perfect, verbal aspect), we make Him a liar, and His Word (logos) is not in us.
But as Partakers of CHRIST'S PERFECTION WITHIN OUR REGENERATED SPIRITS
Our PERFECTION spoken of in scriptures is not a future goal or a destination in Christ. Perfection is our continual obedient journey of the Life of Perfect Christ Himself within us for all eternity, NOW. We live in Eternity NOW and our citizenship is NOW in Heaven. DO NOT REBEL as satan did.
1. Perfect as our Father
Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2. Perfect in good (agathos) works
Heb 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good (agathos-God-good) work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
3. Perfect in gifts
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
1 Cor 12:11 But all these (gifts) worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
4. Perfect in Love
1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
5. Perfect without fear
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
6. Perfect in wanting nothing
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
7. Perfect in unity of the faith and of the knowledge of God Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
8. Perfect in the Will of God
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
9. Perfect in Living through faith
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the Life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
10. Perfect in the Sinless Perfection OF CHRIST in us, IF WE OBEY HIM.
Heb 12:23 "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the Spirits of just (1342, dikaios, righteous) men now perfect (5048, teleioo, to make perfect, resultative perfect- now perfect, passive participle)"
Gen 17:1-2 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
2 Cor :6:2 Today is salvation,
For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
A. HE HAS CLEANSED us from our sins (in His Atonement of us) to be righteousness of God in (ev, within) Him (2 Cor 5:21) = our justified state through indwelling faith of Christ (Rom 3:22) NOW This is not a "play act" as though we will someday be righteous, we are righteous IN HIM NOW or we are not Christian.
There is no such thing as a "sinning un-Holy Christian" who will be taken to a Holy Heaven, suddenly righteous and perfect only because he believed Jesus was a historical figure who died to be his Saviour only (not Lord). Even the demons believe (are committed to) much more than this.
This kind of doctrine is Gnostic pagan Calvinism and the common Dispensational Ecumenical "grace" regardless apostasy today. This thinking mocks Christ's great Atonement for us and makes Christianity a joke.1 See footnote.
Heb 12:14 Be following (1377, dioko-to pursue, present-continuously, active-by own volition, imperative-by command) peace (fem. sing.) with all men, and Holiness (masc. sing.), without which (masc. sing.) no man shall see the Lord:
1 Peter 1:14-17 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be (aorist passive imperative- a command) ye Holy (40, hagios, 232x) in all manner of conversation (behavior);
16 Because it is written, Be ye (future, middle-by own volition, indicative- in reality) Holy (hagios); for I am Holy (hogios).
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
2 Cor 5:21 For He who knew no sin , in behalf of us did (something to) sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in (en, within) Him.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son is cleansing (present active indicative) us from all sin
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
Rom 5:1 Therefore having been justified (aorist passive participle) by (ek, out from within) faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that are committing (pisteuo, are committing): for there is no difference:
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in (en, within) Christ Jesus, who are walking (present active indicative) not after the flesh, but after (kata, according to) the Spirit.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
2 Thess 2:13 God hath from the beginning chosen you for the purpose of (eis) salvation in (ev) sanctification (being set apart) of Spirit and faith of Truth.
Col 1:27 Christ in (en, within) you, the hope (expectation) of Glory (Spiritual Perfection). READ THIS verse AGAIN !
B. He IS CLEANING us, IF we sin. IF WE OBEY HIM.
Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for he shall save His people from their sins.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son is cleansing (present active indicative) us from all sin (hamartia).
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just (1342, dikaios- righteous, mostly used as "righteous") to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse (aorist active subjunctive) us from all unrighteousness (adikia, unrighteousness).
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin
Our part, as those ultimately among His general assembly and church, "righteous men made perfect" (Heb 12:23) at the end "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29), is by "being transformed (present passive imperative, COMMAND, PRESENTLY CONTINUOUSLY, being acted upon) by the renewing of your mind"..."that ye may prove (1381, dokimazo, to prove FOR AUTHENTICATION, present- PRESENTLY CONTINUOUSLY active-OF OWN VOLITION infinitive) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom 12:2 NOW on this earth).
Modern day Ecumenicals teach the opposite of our deliberately "pressing (CONTINUOUSLY DELIBERATLY, pres. active indicative) for (eis, FOR THE RESULT OF) the prize of the high calling of God in (ev, inside of) Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14) is:
"Ecumenical "compromise," then necessarily ALWAYS satanic deductive thinking in all things"
Present day Ecumenicalism (compromise and mixture) is the foretold apostasy of the latter days. 1 Tim 4:1 and 2 Thess 2:10-11
DID YOU KNOW? Once we stray from the absolute Perfect TRUTH (Christ Himself), we find ourselves in absolute error.
PERFECTION In our Spirit and Soul and Body after our birth-from-above regenerated spirits
1 John 5:10-11 He that is believing (pres. active partic.) on (eis, for the result or purpose of) the Son of God is having (pres. active indic.) the Witness in (ev, inside of) himself....
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us Eternal Life, and this Life is in (ev) His Son.
Matt 5:48-6:1 Be ye therefore perfect (5046, teleios), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (teleios, 5046). THIS IS A COMMANDMENT OF CHRIST.
Eph 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge (epignosis-full knowledge) of the Son of God, unto a perfect (5046, teleios) man , unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect (teleios, 5046) in (ev) Christ Jesus
Phil 3:9-14 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, neither being already perfect (teleioo-perfect passive indicative): but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press (1377, dioko- to pursue, present-continuously, active- by own volition, indicative- in reality) toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
CONFORMED TO HIS PERFECT SON.
Heb 12:1-4 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author (archegos, 747, "Origin" in place/time/rank, God Himself) and finisher (teleiotes, 5047, "perfection") of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (1 Thess 5:8)
3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Rom 8:29 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
SANCTIFICATION COMPLETED AT OUR DEATH
(our Spirits and souls to Heaven)
1 Thess 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body (soma, not sarx-flesh) be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev 21:27-22:1 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city
Heb 12:22-23 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just (1342, dikaios, "righteous") men made perfect (teleioo, 5048, perfect passive Participle),
See sons of God Rom 8: 4-19 1 John 3:1-3 John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He authority (right) to become the sons of God, to them that are commiting (present tense--now continuously, active--now in reality) for the result and purpose of (eis) His name", Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 2:10-11).
We must remember, that after death it is TOO LATE to become Holy or righteous (right-related to God).
There is no "to make Holy" (hagiazo) in the future tense in the scriptures; without Holiness "no man will see God" (Heb 12:14).
Also, "our righteousness" is only in Christ acquired by Now IN THE PRESENT TENSE "continuing in the faith grounded and settled, and being not moved away from the hope of the gospel" (Col 1:23) in the present time.
"Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2). Playing church doesn't do it.
AND PERFECTED WHEN THE LORD RETURNS
(Spiritual bodies joining our souls and Spirits in Eternal Perfection)
Rom 8:22-25 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption (restoration) of our body.
24 For we are saved (aorist passive indic) by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (endurance) wait for it.
1 Thess 5:8-9 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the Spirits of just (1342, dikaios, righteous) men made perfect (5048, teleioo, to make perfect, perfect passive participle)"
*******
By perfected, we mean that as Holy and righteous in this Life through obedience of faith of indwelling Christ, that a perfect spiritual body relationship will be totally restored only after our resurrection.
However, we must see from the above scriptures that our sanctification (hagiasmos, 38), is an intrinsic initial changed state and, thereafter, a continuous process of obedience of faith to being continuously set-apart, separated from impurities or mixture.
We are commanded<
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