LESSON ON FAITH ( PART 11) | THE THREE STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION: (PART 4)

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3205

LESSON ON FAITH ( PART 11)

THE THREE STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION: (PART 4)

3. *FINAL SANCTIFICATION

Final or Perfect Sanctification is simply the final realization of Positional Sanctification, and the prospect of Final Sanctification motivates Progressive Sanctification. 

While we are positionally sanctified or holy in Christ, we do not at this time experience the full realization of this sanctification.  Why?  Because we are yet in our mortal bodies, still affected by temptation, and therefore we still sin.  Of course, we do not sin as we once did.  We are no longer enslaved to it, held under the full weight of its power; nor do we make a practice of sinning, but now experience conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit, knowing that we have displeased and dishonored God when we do sin, and therefore repent of it.  This daily struggle with temptation and sin falls under Progressive Sanctification, but it causes us to remember our Positional Sanctification (what we are in Christ) and look all the more to our Final Sanctification (forever separated from sin and temptation).

Final Sanctification speaks to the perfected state of the believer through Glorification.  At Christ’s return all things will be made new, and we will be like Him, for we will see Him as he is.

1 John 3:2-3: “Beloved, now we are children of God [i.e. Positional Sanctification]; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him [i.e. Final Sanctification], for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself [i.e. Progressive Sanctification], just as He is pure.”

Romans 8:29-30: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

Philippians 3:12: “Not that I have already attained [the resurrection from the dead; v. 11], or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” [cf. 1 Thess. 5:23]

ABBA FATHER, this is our great hope – our Glorification with the Lord.  Christ has gone before us, and so guarantees our Glorification, which will be our Final Sanctification (forever separated from corruption and sin).