Saturday, March 22, 2014

How do you define the terms sanctification, justification and glorification? 542 - 1 - 5

Paul often spoke about justification by faith, Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Justification: Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Sanctification: Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

The quote by Dr. Earl Rademacher, “I have been saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved” is reminiscent of CM’s summation of The Tenses of “Salvation:

Past Tense: Separation from the Penalty of Sin Justification

Present Tense: Separation from the Power of Sin Sanctification

Future Tense: Separation from the Presence of Sin Glorification

As past perfect means having been competed or passive voice where the subject receives the action (Justification) would imply that it is something that is done is for us (sinners). Justification declares the sinner righteous and assures the believer of his/her entrance into heaven.
I would compare the present tense or currently continuing to the middle voice where there is an interaction of sorts between us and the Holy Spirit, something that is in us (Sanctification) that makes us (sinners) seek righteousness.

As for Sanctification, we are a work in progress following justification by faith, thus requiring a pro-active involvement by the believer with the workings of the Holy Spirit in him/ her. While we believers are still in the presence of sin, it has less power over us. As long as we are in our present incarnation we will be exposed to sin, however, working in tandem with the Holy Spirit we should be able to overcome sin and proceed down the road to sanctification. So unlike justification which is a gift through faith, sanctification involves doing good works. Works such as being a prayer warrior, helping those less fortunate and generally being an ambassador for Christ.

Glorification will be that future and wonderful day when we are finally in the presence of the Lord. Then we will experience separation from the presence of Sin. We will be given a glorified body as promised in 1 John 3:2, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."  

Added Later:

I'm attempting to learn more of the use of words in the Bible. Not surprising, justification relates to righteousness. Sanctification takes us to properly purification something I strive for. I was not able to locate glorification so instead, looked up glory. Interestingly enough this takes us to mantle, robe.

To quote CM, the Bible is a hologram. Truth is found throughout it.

Justification: G1343
δικαιοσύνη
dikaiosunē
dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay
From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness.

Sanctification: G38
ἁγιασμός
hagiasmos
hag-ee-as-mos'
From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: - holiness, sanctification.

No mention of glorification so Glory:
H155
אדּרת
'addereth
ad-deh'-reth
Feminine of H117; something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress); also the same as H145: - garment, glory, goodly, mantle, robe.

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