Perfection vs. Sanctification
by Gordon on Jan.06, 2010, under Christianity, Grokking
Are they the same thing? When filtered through a dark heart (mine is) are they the same thing? When we seek one are we truly seeking the other? Is there a semantics problem here? How does culture come into play? I want your thoughts. Actually, in this case, I covet your thoughts.
*Bonus points for answering in haiku format.
*Double points if you actually reference a bible verse.
6 Comments for this entry
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To Grok?
Grok means to understand so thoroughly that the observer becomes a part of the observed—to merge, blend, intermarry, lose identity in group experience. It means almost everything that we mean by religion, philosophy, and science—and it means as little to us (because of our Earthly assumptions) as color means to a blind man. -- Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land.
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Verse:
John 3:16; Jn 3:16; John 3Keyword:
Salvation, Jesus, GospelWith Operators:
AND, OR, NOT, “ â€
January 8th, 2010 on 9:53 am
Sanctification:
A PROCESS embarked upon
After Christ saves us
-Romans, chapter six,
especially verses nine-
teen and twenty-two
(I know, it’s a stretch,
but follow me here! I tried!
Back to work I go…)
January 8th, 2010 on 10:01 am
I forgot to say:
Perfection, by contrast, is
Resurrected life
For example, see
Hebrews’ seventh chapter and
its eleventh verse
On Earth, we can’t be
Perfect, though Christ was for us!
In Heaven, we’ll see
January 8th, 2010 on 12:46 pm
That is a broad question. It depends on what do you mean by “perfection?” Are you talking of “perfect love casts out fear” as in we are perfected in Christ’s love? Or are you talking about perfection as in legalism?
In the first case, perfection in Christ comes by way of sanctification, which is the second work of grace after salvation. Our regenerated soul deliberately gives up his right to himself to Jesus Christ and identifies himself entirely with God’s interest in others. In other words, sanctification begets perfection – so they are not mutually exclusive.
In the second case, perfection in the worldy perspective is not the same as sanctification. It is a dead faith as you know and not the fruit born of a truly regenerated soul.
January 8th, 2010 on 12:47 pm
but a very good question.
January 8th, 2010 on 1:35 pm
On a more serious note, I have to say that Wesley’s approach to the issue of justification/sanctification is the main thing that turned me off to his theology when I was a student at a Nazarene university.
Justification is what happens at the time we’re saved, and everything from then on (regardless of whether it’s continuous, broken, continually in the right direction, or whatever) is the process of us being sanctified. Wesley tried to say that sanctification was a discrete step in the Christian life; and that, once reached, it was the beginning of such a process. He also said that, though mere justification was salvific, such salvation was could be lost.
Wesley’s whole construct there seems very artificial and man-made. I much prefer Calvin, who espoused perseverance of the saints: a “once saved, always saved” theology. Those who are members of the visible church, yet fall away and never return, were never truly part of the invisible church.
So sanctification is the process of being made perfect, and it never comes to completion in this life. Perfection is what we’ll be given with our resurrected bodies as citizens of heaven.
January 13th, 2010 on 12:47 pm
Sorry…no Haiku or Biblical reference this time…lol – oh wait, I’ll reference the ENTIRE Bible for this one
Perfection – when we reach Heaven, never to be obtained here on this earth. Sanctification – a continuous process of refinement as we live this Christian walk