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“For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity]” (Hebrews 10:14(AMP).
God is interested in both sides of the believer’s life in Christ. He is concerned about our position as well as our behaviour, the legal side of the believer’s redemption in Christ, as well as the experiential side. He thus progressively and completely sanctifies the believer’s spirit, soul and body – 1 Thes. 5:23.
Again, God develops the good work done in the believer’s life, perfects it and brings it to full completion in him – Phil 1:6 ( Ampc).
We all need to show the importance of the two sides to the believer’s life in Christ, and not overemphasize only the believer’s position in Christ or the legal side of his redemption. Both sides must be emphasized to maintain biblical balance. We must always keep biblical balance, and never emphasize one biblical truth at the expense of other biblical truths.
In the opening scripture above, positionally, we are all perfected, sanctified, cleansed in Christ. This was what we all experienced instantaneously in the new birth experience. But God expects the believer to progressively express his new identity in Christ in lifestyle, behaviour and conduct as he yields to Him, cooperates with Him and depends on His grace.
The sad truth is that despite what the Bible reveals, we have preachers of the Gospel today, who don’t accept the concept of progressive sanctification, or believers growing in holiness as they depend on God’s grace. Notice what Hebrews 10:14 reveals: This verse brings together two vital truths. We are perfected, but WE ARE BEING SANCTIFIED. Paul also claimed that positionally, he was sanctified, a saint, but was not yet perfected in character and behaviour. He had to press on – Phil 3:12.
Also, understand what Paul communicated to the Corinthian church. Legally, they were sanctified in Christ Jesus so Paul addressed them as saints – 1 Cor. 1: 2. In Christ, they looked pretty good. However, these realities did not hide the fact that there were attitides and behaviours in their lives that needed to be radically transformed. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul called these same believers as carnal and behaving like mere men.
To be continued…
GOD’S servant: Peter Collins Obeng
Grace Covenant Glory
