Saturday, April 13, 2019

We are Sanctified by FAITH

I just want to emphasize a point here.

Most churches, teachers, preachers, evangelists in our century articulate this doctrine quite improperly.

Intentionally or unintentionally, through their sermons and messages they at least IMPLY "sanctification by GROWTH" which is quite the opposite. Tell me I'm wrong!

Here is John Wesley's summary:

"Sanctification, in the proper sense, is an instantaneous deliverance from all sin, and includes an instantaneous power then given always to cleave to God.
“An instantaneous deliverance from all sin” and not a protracted and tedious process of growth. There is a gradual approach to the blessing, so far as the human part of consecration, preparation, and faith is concerned, but the divine work of “deliverance from all sin” is instantaneous.
Sanctification, in the proper sense, is an instantaneous deliverance from all sin, and includes an instantaneous power then given always to cleave to God.
“An instantaneous deliverance from all sin” and not a protracted and tedious process of growth. There is a gradual approach to the blessing, so far as the human part of consecration, preparation, and faith is concerned, but the divine work of “deliverance from all sin” is instantaneous."

Wesley's articulation " the divine work of 'deliverance from all sin' is instantaneous" is a bit unclear in our generation (a generation which lacks much of basic soteriology and are mostly biblically illiterate!). But I know what Wesley means because I have examined his theology and his biography and this is really how it should be articulated in our generation:

The divine work of "deliverance from the power or dominion of the sin nature" is instantaneous.

That is sanctification by faith indeed!

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