This is part of an eight part series on the importance of fellowship. Read the other parts here:
Part 8: Unconditional Love
Part 7: Honesty
Part 6: Fighting Superficiality
Part 5: Sanctification
Part 4: Why You Need It (Yes You)
Part 3: Dealing With A Dead or Dying Church
Part 2: Accountability
Part 1: Introduction
One of the greatest purposes of fellowship is the work of sanctification. This term eludes many, both theologically, in that people don’t understand what it means; but also practically, in that sanctification, for all intents and purposes, requires fellowship.
A believer is marked by three important markers on their path towards eternity.
- Regeneration – that is, the moment when sin’s dominion over a person is broken and they are no longer a slave to sin, but have been freed in Christ.
- Justification – the consequences of sin are no longer applicable to the person. The wrath of God is no longer upon them and Christ becomes their righteousness.
- Sanctification – sanctification is the removal of the lingering effects of sin and a sin nature. It is when a person becomes holy in Christ. They are no longer polluted in any way by sin.
Sanctification is radically different than justification, and is a process that cannot be completed in this life. If we were holy, then we ourselves would not be able to bear any sin around us and in us. It would be completely gone – like the purging of logic from a Vulcan.
But sanctification is still a goal for Christians, we just have to realise that it is a progressive goal which we gradually move towards, despite its unachievability. While we live and breathe on earth, sanctification is not so much about the ends, but the means. As God continues to sanctify us, the life of a believer becomes progressively aligned with and conformed to our legal status before God. That is, sanctification moves us towards a material articulation of our justification.
Sanctification is an outgrowth of our love for God and our gratitude for what he has done for us. It is not:
- Keeping rules and guidelines to “pay God back” or in any other way earn our salvation
- A means by which we can judge each other’s spiritual maturity and effectively rank each other
- A way to separate leaders from “normal” Christians or otherwise assign ministry positions or responsibilities
- A way to shame and guilt believers into an artificial dependence on leaders, pastors or other men
Sanctification is motivated by love and enabled by grace. That is, the power to change comes from God as a gift and we embrace it not because we have to, but because God is worthy of our lives.
Because sanctification has not yet occurred for anyone reading this (or writing it!) it means that we still have to deal with our sin nature and indwelling sin. Sin may not have dominion over us, but its influence and its very presence is still within us. Again, if this were not true – we would be sanctified and holy, able to approach God. Anyone who feels qualified to approach God – please raise your hand. Didn’t think so…
Paul talks about this process often, speaking of it plainly in Romans 7:8 and 21. Sin is our responsibility and our burden – which God, in his grace, is removing from us. Sin is not caused by Satan, demonic influence, other people, events in our lives or other boogy-men – sin is within us (James 4:1). Sinfulness is the natural pursuit of our hearts – which desires to seek out completion and fulfilment apart from God.
Fortunately God gives us the grace to pursue sanctification. We have an active part in cooperating with the Holy Spirit in receiving God’s sanctifying grace and responding to it by putting sin to death – effectively “working out our salvation with fear and trembling…” (Philippians 2:12)
Fellowship comes into play because we need each other to help us with our own areas of spiritual blindness. Our sin masks and clouds our ability to be 100% accurate it identifying and combating sin in our lives. Other Christians can be a valuable help in pointing out sin and providing accountability in order to see it put to death. The Holy Spirit uses believers to minister to one another often. As I had said before – of course God may give you visions, dreams and even speak audibly to you about areas of sin you need to combat – but more than likely, he chooses to use quite simple and obvious means such as your spouse, your family, Christian friends and your leadership.
We like to think that we are special, and that God is going to do BIG THINGS with us, and his wonderful plan for my life is going to be all about telling me where to go (Mission to Africa, Big Christian Event, This Church Where The Girl I like Goes!) and what to do (Lead Worship, Teach, Be A Pastor, Write A Book, Be Famous [For God's glory of course...]). But, quite honestly, God probably wants you to be sanctified and made holy by having enough humility to listen to what others are telling you about your sin. He also wants you to get off the sidelines of ministry and actually start caring for people by offering observations, engaging in fellowship and putting yourself in a position to serve others.
The point is that sanctification might be less grandiose, but it is far more important than all of the dreams and visions we have for ourselves as the great purpose of our lives. If God wants glory, he can achieve it easily – he doesn’t need our help. What would glorify God, is if we devoted less time to our ambitions and more time towards “working out our salvation with fear and trembling.”
On to Part 6: Fighting Superficiality.
I basically agree with what you have said, but I think it would be helpful to talk about terminology for a minute. The word sanctification is a loaded bit of theological jargon. Etymologically it means “the process of setting something aside for special (as opposed to ordinary)use.”
Also, there is the theological term “entire sanctification” which is used by the holiness movement (a number of current or former ZFT regulars attend or did attend holiness churches) which claims that a believer can/will come to a point where he doesn’t sin. (I attended one of those type of churches for some time, but never accepted that particular doctrine.)
I believe I’ve also heard the terms “positional sanctification” and “practical sanctification.” If I understand you correctly, your article would be about practical sanctification.
I admit ignorance of those terms Thainamu. I think that “entire sanctification” strikes me as doctrinally (and logically) untenable.
I’m curious what “practical sanctification” and “positional sanctification” mean…
The term “entire sanctification” is the same as, or very nearly the same as, “sinless perfection.” Yes, I agree that it is not possible, but some folks think it is.
My understanding, in simple terms, is “positional sanctification” just means our position in Christ after we become believers. Maybe just another word for “saved,” or “regenerated.” It is what Christ sees when he looks at us through Christ’s perfect sacrifice.
“Practical sanctification” (and maybe also “progressive sanctification”) means more like our struggle with being in the world but not of it, our growth in Christ, and becoming more like him on a daily basis.
In other words, from God’s view, he sees us as holy because he sees us via his holy son. From our point of view, however, we aren’t yet fully holy. We still have a growth process to go through, battles to fight against temptation, and a life to love the Lord with until we get to leave this earth.
I can’t really vouch for the quality of these web sites, but here are a couple that mention positional and practical sanctification:
http://www.basictheology.com/definitions/Sanctification/
http://www.mwtb.org/html/310180.html
Thanks, I will tentatively agree, and say that I am arguing for a “practical sanctification.”
“As God continues to sanctify us, the life of a believer becomes progressively aligned with and conformed to our legal status before God. That is, sanctification moves us towards a material articulation of our justification.”
Great statement.