Who is Sanctified by Whom
Sometimes I cannot help but wonder if there's not another version of scripture out there that I am unaware of. If there is then according to what I gather from many other Christians the central theme of this version basically goes like this...
For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to suffer and shed His blood as a sacrifice, that you may now begin to work your way to Heaven through your own efforts and become white as snow, sanctified and victorious over all the sin that others may see in you. In this manner God will overlook the multitude of sins in your heart and mind that others cannot see and that you yourself are in total denial of.
This pervasive and degrading interpitation of the redemption from sin by the sacrifice of our Lord is perhaps Satan’s finest and most subtle deception of the Christian faith. It is a call to duty for self-righteousness. A standard that can never be achieved. A gatekeeper at the very door to Heaven that says, "Knock and the door shall be opened unto you... (Please see paragraph 5, section 3 thru 1075 for terms and conditions of this agreement). And no, it really isn't funny at all.
To even intimate that one has, at a particular point in their Christian walk, reached a state of “perfection – in an imperfect state” is an affront to all Christ died for and is the main reason He was nailed to the cross in the first place. For to say “Today I’m finally there” is the same as saying, “I see”, and thereby you have convicted yourself and you are living the ultimate lie of self-deception.
And what is the basis of this “Wesleyan” doctrine? Overzealous dogmatic, myopic interpitations of the Word.
If we must be dogmatic and inflexible and full of our own “knowledge” then let’s follow a theme through to its conclusion. Lets say… righteousness and sanctification,
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works
If this is true then we cannot just ignore…
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
The New American Standard Version puts it this way…
15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Did Christ say this in order that we live a life of destructive sexual repression; filled with guilt by every lustfull thought or fantasy that Satan sees fit to tempt us with? Or was He showing us how high the bar really is?
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; …
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
Then Paul says…
18Since many people boast in a fleshly way, I will do it, too. 19You are wise, so you will gladly be tolerant of fools. 20You tolerate anyone who makes you his slaves, devours what you have, takes what is yours, orders you around, or slaps your face!
21I am ashamed to admit it, but we have been too weak for that. Whatever anyone else dares to claim—I am talking like a fool—I can claim it, too. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they among Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23Are they the Messiah's servants? I am insane to talk like this, but I am a far better one!
Is Paul contradicting the teachings of Jesus? Or is he simply human?
If we listen to the central theme of his teachings they are very Ecclesiastical. The hopelessness of the law and the flesh. The impossibility of being righteous in the flesh.
The only hope? Faith in Christ!
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
So how are we sanctified?
... Anyone who violates the law of Moses dies without mercy
"on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 29How much more severe a punishment do you think that person deserves who tramples on God's Son, and treats as common the blood of the covenant by which it was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace?
8In this passage he says, “You never wanted or took delight in sacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and sin offerings,” which are offered according to the law. 9Then he says, “See, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10By God’s will we have been sanctified ... once and for all through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus, the Messiah. ...
17“Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. 18Just as you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19It is for their sakes that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified by the truth. 20I ask not only on behalf of these men, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their message, 21so that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.
5So it is at the present time: there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6But if this is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.
In Praise of God's Ways
33 O how deep are God's riches,
and wisdom, and knowledge!
How unfathomable are his decisions
and unexplainable are his ways!
34 Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become his adviser?
35 Or who has given him something
only to have him pay it back?”
36 For all things are from him, by him, and for him.
Glory belongs to him forever! Amen.
Of course the Bible teaches perfection and righteousness. After all, isn’t that what He is? And it also teaches faith, grace and mercy, and isn’t that what we require?
And if you truly believe in the resurected Son of God with the faith God has given you, then you will be transformed in this life.
The judgmental and self-righteous love to remind those they believe to be inferior in their commitment to Christ of scriptures like “You will know them by their works” or “Even the demons believe”. It’s a shame they have such high regard for their own ability to know what’s in someone else heart and so little regard for Gods’ saving grace.
Theirs is the sin of self pride, unable to see that sin is like a balloon under your arm. The more you squeeze out the air in the front, the bigger it becomes in the back.
If your salvation has been questioned by such people just ask yourself (not them), just what prisoners have they visited or which hurting child they lifted up and what stranded motorist did they drive right past because they were too busy to stop and help. And remember, your works are seen by those who receive the fruits of them and by your Heavenly Father. They are not on parade for others to judge you by.
The early Christian Church was severely persecuted. The message was simple and simply believing could get you killed.
With the rise of the European empire Christian persecution was not a great threat to ones life. Without constant harassment people like John Wesley didn’t have enough to worry about except to gum up the simple Word of Truth and to make it an elitist concept of high morals and chivalry. Dogma replaced faith and obedience replaced freedom and every “good” Christian had to forego anything that reeked of pleasure.
If you get the chance, in the next kingdom, to ask a martyr of Christ what gave them the courage to “face death all day long” and even to the end, do you think they will say, “I was dammed near perfect”?
Of course not. But that is exactly where such thoughts will get you.
Name: James Willis
