Understanding the Dual Nature of Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 presents a profound understanding of sanctification, encompassing both positional and progressive aspects. The Apostle Paul prays for the Thessalonians to be sanctified completely, addressing the dual nature of holiness that believers experience in their spiritual journey.

Positional holiness refers to the state of being made holy through faith in Christ. Upon accepting Jesus, believers are positionally set apart as holy, which signifies that they are declared righteous in the eyes of God. This status is a gift of grace, ensuring that if a believer were to die today, they would be with God because of their positional holiness through faith. The Greek term "hagiadzo," meaning to make holy or set apart, reinforces this concept.

In contrast, progressive sanctification is the ongoing process of being made holy in daily life. While believers are positionally holy, there remains work to be done as they grow in faith and strive to become more like Christ. Paul’s prayer for complete sanctification indicates that there is still progress to be made in the believer's spiritual development. An effective analogy is that of a custom wood baseball bat maker; just as raw wood is transformed into a finely crafted bat, believers are continually shaped and refined by God through life experiences, challenges, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

It is essential to recognize that the process of progressive sanctification is not solely the responsibility of the believer. Ultimately, it is God who sanctifies them completely. The assurance that "he who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it" emphasizes that while believers actively participate in their spiritual growth, it is God who completes the transformative work within them.

This understanding of sanctification highlights that believers are both positionally holy through faith in Christ and engaged in a progressive journey of becoming more like Him, with God faithfully guiding and completing this transformative process.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from McDonough Christian Church, one of 3 churches in McDonough, GA