Author	Thread: On Low and High levels of Sanctification.......
Admin	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 09:09 AM When I read church history, I find that there have been periods of time when the overall level of Christian behavior and inner spiritual life was REALLY low. I can also find some periods of time when it seemed to be REALLY high. I think that some periods of the Early church, you can find many examples of Christians who were exemplary. I also see, naturally, the medieval captivity of Christians by Rome, to be especially low the scale. I think during the Scottish Reformation, you will find some of the most amazing examples in all of Church history. And I STILL think that the Puritans overall, even with their reactionary stances on some things, were the MOST mature group of Christians in all of church history. I think there were several reasons for this, and I could be wrong of course, but here are my guesses as to what conditions favor an overall high level of sanctification in the average Christian population. 1. Some persecution. 2. A very high level of Biblical scholarship among pastors. 3. A high level of Biblical knowledge among Christians. 4. A high level of respect for, and knowledge of Church history. 5. Proper church discipline and use of Creeds and confessions. In Christ, James Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 03:02 PM On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... ???...Niegh...xo Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 03:29 PM More unScriptural junk. There are no "levels" of sanctification. That's ridiculous. I hope you don't preach that stuff. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]. - Hebrews 10:10 Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 03:32 PM Low and high levels of Sanctification???... James, does not SANCTIFICATION mean to be "set apart" for God by the work of the Holy Spirit in the believers life making us morally holy by transforming our minds and conforming our spiritual being into the image of Jesus Christ, until the day of our redemption when Jesus comes? So how can there be low and high levels of sanctification, and all that other stuff you made mention of? You are either set apart or you're not. Does not sanctification start when a person receive Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit comes into that person life and restore (regeneration) the person spiritually to right standing before God as being righteous and holy? And is not this sanctification an on going process that is not completed until we see Jesus or die? As Paul says in Philippians chapter 1. He who began a good work in you , will continue to do it up until the day of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is a part of the conversion process conforming us to be like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 04:15 PM WOW! You posted 5 things, when I read all five I was literally amazed that a close or distant relationship with Jesus wasn't listed as a reason for high or low sanctification. :goofball: Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 04:34 PM True that, Two. No mention of Christ. It's all academics with James. Pity the poor illiterate or unlearned soul according to James' belief in "levels" of sanctification. Simply believing is not enough. Sanctification through Christ is not enough. Such a shame. Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 05:16 PM If you will listen those that proclaim it is not of works, have a lot of works involved Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 07:58 PM James replies: For once you are ALL correct, and I am wrong. I assumed everyone would know that there are two kinds of Sanctification. My fault. There are two kinds of Sanctification. 1. Definitive Sanctification. We are legally declared perfectly righteous in the sight of God, because of what Jesus did on the cross. This happens the moment we repent and trust in Christ. 2. Progressive sanctification. This is a process whereby the believer becomes more and more like Christ, through growing as a Christian. This thread is talking about progressive sanctification. In Christ, James Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 5 Apr, 2011 10:50 PM My answer to your post is about progressive sanctification. :goofball: Post Reply
View Profile History	On Low and High levels of Sanctification....... Posted : 6 Apr, 2011 07:18 AM Well, in that case Twosparrows you made a good point! I said "conditions that favor" or help to promote a high level of Sanctification, but you are right. If a person's heart is far from God, then those things won't help. Good point! In Christ, James Post Reply