(doc 3) Sanctification & Eschatology

How should an appreciation of biblical eschatology inform any account we might give of sanctification? Sanctification is work of God’s free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness. - Westminster “For this is the will of God, your sanctification:* that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body* in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” (1Th 4:3-7 ESV)

Now but not yet  Introduction Establish sweeping overview of doctrine of sanctification and broad eschatological framework of now/but not yet fully sanctified. •

Positional /Objective Sanctification o “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Cor 6:11

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Progressive/Subjective Sanctification o May attain a relative perfection in this life (Phil 3:15), but not absolute perfection (Phil 3:12)  teleoß  idea of spiritual maturity rather than absolute moral perfection • •

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“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - Matt 5:48 ESV “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” - Phil 3:12 ESV

Entire sanctification to be realised in life to come when exchange mortality for immortality o “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Phil 3:20-21 ESV

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Amillenial o The last days have already begun (Heb 1:2) which include outbursts of lawlessness being attributed to the anti-christ and our carnal nature. Due to this evil being present we must pursue sanctification.

Christ’s returning -

Constantly ready  counting on his return, striving to be like him in holiness (progressive sanctification) o Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him

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without

spot

or

blemish,

and

at

peace.-

2

Pet

3:14

Because we have been raised with Christ and because he is coming back we should strive for our sanctification o

o

“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” 2Pet 3:13-14 ESV “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears* we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is - 1John 3:2

Resurrection •

We can only be with God when we are made fully holy o “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one

•

will

see

the

Lord.”

-

Heb

12:14

ESV

Therefore the final state of sanctification is reached when we are resurrected o

and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.- 1Th 3:12-13

Judgement -

Judgement between sheep and goats o But is there different rewards for Christians? And if so what are they based on? 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. – 2 Cor 5:10

o That is we will be judged on good deeds, and good deeds are a result of sanctification (only able to do works in so far as you are sanctified)