Bible Question:
Concerning the topic of sanctification I want to ask; 1) Is sanctification complete in the believer? 2) What is the difference between positional and progressive sanctification? 3) Is sanctification entirely a work of God, or does the believer have to co-operate in the sanctification process? 4) Is sanctification ever complete in this life within any individual? 5)Are the Bibical commands which call us to holiness and perfection, commands to the individual which involve joint effort on the part of God and the believer? I know thats a mouthful, but hopefully I can receive some excellent feedback from this forum on this topic In Christ zach† |
Bible Answer: Hello Again Zach, I just chimed in on your "Limited Atonement" discussion, elsewhere. 1) I think the answer to this is "Yes" and "No" 2-4) Positional sanctification - we are justified (declared righteous), Romans 4:25; 5:9; 1 Cor 1:2; Heb 2:11 (complete) Progressive sanctification - Philippians 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus..." (incomplete, cf. 1 Thess 5:23) 5) If we have the ability to be holy apart from God's help (1 Peter 1:15-16), then Romans 3:10ff isn't true. Eph 2:10, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." In my mind, the answers to your questions are found in the scriptures given, without much more comment from me. (However, since you cannot read my mind, feel free to ask for further clarification if you would like it.) In Him, Benjamite |