I've been thinking about sanctification recently, in the light of the answers philologos gave in the thread on Instant Sanctification in the Other Speakers forum. He finished his last post with the suggestion that sanctification should more correctly be called 'glorification'.
2 Cor 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Perhaps part of your answer, Ron, lies in looking [i]to the Lord[/i], knowing that what is wrong in the Church is from the carnal mind, (which cannot please God - Rom 8:6, 7), and what is right in the Church flows from living and walking in the Spirit.
Going back to sanctification, (a word Tyndale had to invent) I think I've decided on my own definition in these terms: that sanctification occurs as I reinforce my original decision to set myself apart unto God (1 Cor 1:2 to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:) by each consecutive decision not to sin and the next decision not to sin (and so on). Every time I knowingly execute a sin, I (should) know I am molesting the progress of sanctification in my life.
Now I have judged myself worthy of death, the death of Christ is more precious to me, and, there seems to be very little to commend my love to Him if I do not make a serious effort to desist from sin. Furthermore, now having the power to overcome sin, I have no excuse not to (overcome).
Having said all the foregoing, I didn't always think like this! :-o It was all monumentally exercising to faith, to trust myself to this process in God's hands. And, without doubt, it is part of the responsibility of elders, to rebuke where necessary, for the good of the local body.
Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write... 4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else
8 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;... 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; ..... 22 Behold, I will ... except they repent of their deeds
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;... thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will ...
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;... 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Interestingly, Sentry has started a thread on a similar topic today. I was going to refer him to Compton's first post (p1) of MikeB's Fruit Inspections thread at
[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=10222&forum=36]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=10222&forum=36[/url]
which is just as relevant to this discussion.
Part of MC's point was, the character of Christ must be present in the leaders, for the appearance of gifts of the Spirit to be seen as trustworthy. Gifts [i]without[/i] the character of the Giver accompanying them, do not testify of a life which is abiding in the true Vine.
Iow, an elder who does not 'live the gospel' (Chaucer), and who is not an overcomer (as per the young men to whom John speaks in his first epistle, chapter 2) need not expect the respect of those who are looking for the 'irreproachable' component required by Paul in
1 Timothy 3:2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (ASV)
2 Timothy 2:15 be diligent to present thyself approved to God--a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth; (Young)
