Bible Question:
Glad to have found you on the internet Ed. You seem to be very knowledgeable and I very much appreciate your answer to my question. I have another question that I have posted on this site, but since you seem so knowledgeable I would be very interested in hearing your response to my question. I have already searched this site for this subject matter and came up with nothing helpful. My question is "What is my role in my own sanctification?" Blessings. Pam |
Bible Answer: Pam Let me add I thank you for your kind words. I hope I can be of some help. As to your question I posted a textbook answer to a very difficult question. First what is Sanctification? I find this answer most correct. SANCTIFICATION (Gk. hagiasmos, “separation, a setting apart”). The Heb. term qo4desh, rendered “sanctify,” has a corresponding meaning. The dominant idea of sanctification, therefore, is separation from the secular and sinful and setting apart for a sacred purpose. As the holiness of God means His separation from all evil (see Holiness of God), so sanctification, in the various Scripture applications of the term, has a kindred lofty significance. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988. Database © 1997 NavPress Software. Many feel this occurs in many ways and the text book answer I gave you gives those examples. However let me say I feel there is a requirement placed upon the believer to strive to always walk in Holiness. While perfection can never be attained this side of heaven we have no excuse not to shoot for it. “The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.”, Hodge's Outlines. These Dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Again thanks for you kind words and I hope these two posts help answer your question. EdB |