Sanctification challenge

I was put to the challenge last night by a dear brother in the Lord to search the scriptures and conclude whether sanctification comes at a single point in time or whether it is progressive.

I believe it is progressive. However, after looking at the 28 or so verses speaking of sanctification I was startled that they are all either past tense or point in time. I saw none that were future. I then looked up holiness with very similar results. Certainly there are scriptures calling us to holiness. There also seemed to be one speaking of perfecting holiness.

Can someone please help me here! Where is the overwhelming evidence from the scriptures for this whole idea of progressive sanctification that I and many cling to? I'm not seeing it. I'd love to be corrected in this, but I'm more willing to believe the scriptures.

Interestingly enough, there are a couple of scriptures in the old testament that God sanctified the tabernacle when the presence of His glory came. Now, doesn't that sound like what should happen in the heart of the believer? When God comes in He makes it holy and therefore it is holy?

Now experiencially this has not been a complete reality in my life. However, at this point I'm more comfortable saying I'm in unbelief or that I need the baptism of the holy spirit than explaining away the scriptures.

WHAT I'M REALLY LOOKING FOR IS SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE NOT OPINIONS PLEASE.

Thanks and God bless.

You may find the following thread helpful. There are several messgaes from Ron Bailey (Philologos) that are listed in that thread, you may want to read through the thread and then give them a listen.

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=9249&forum=34&post_id=&refresh=Go]Instant Sanctification[/url]

In Christ,

Ron

The first scripture that came to me as I read this was 1 Thess 4v3, 'For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you should abstain from sexual immorality,

vs 4, that each of you should know how to posses his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

vs 5, that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forwarned you and testified.

Is it okay to tell of two very different testimonies of Christians I know?

One got saved, the day he got saved he gave up his 30 cigarettes a day habit.

Another woman got saved, it was 12 years before she finally quit smoking.

Why the difference?

It might not look like it relates to sanctification, but why the two differences if both are Christians and sanctified in God?

Or are they?

Don't want to start a smoking thread, although some might say something concerning that.

But you have given an interesting question and challenge. One which I would like to know more about and how God views us and what He expects from us once we become His child.

God bless.

2Cr 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];

One is already done, one is being done the last will be done. What is it? What has been done in the believer that is past and complete? Is it not Christ in you the hope of Glory? What past has been accomplished in each believer? Is it not death with Christ and His life in us being our life? Past tense; sanctified.

Being sanctified is now, "doth" deliver and sanctify. Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Is this not being sanctified.

"will" deliver, or will sanctify on resurrection day at His coming for His brethren in the clouds, both those that are asleep in Him and we who are alive and in Him.

God intended before the foundation of the world that we be Holy and sanctified, that is by the Christ in us and the Holy Spirit Teacher of this Jesus who sanctifies us. Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Ephesians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

We are sanctified or made Holy By this Christ that is in us. We are being sanctified in our soul/mind by the Holy Spirit Teacher to the renewing of our minds to the Mind of Christ which is Holy. We will be sanctified in body when we are changed and no knowing what we will be but knowing we will be like Him, who is Holy.

Both He who sanctifieth and he who is sanctified.

Strong's Greek Dictionary
40. hagios
Search for G40 in KJVSL
agioV hagios hag'-ee-os
from hagos (an awful thing) (compare 53, 2282); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance : but he that cometh after me is mightier than I , whose shoes I am not worthy to bear : he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost , and with fire :

Strong's Greek Dictionary
37. hagiazo
Search for G37 in KJVSL
agiazw hagiazo hag-ee-ad'-zo
from 40; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.

Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one : for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren ,

Holy and acceptable to God, for His intended purpose of son's in His house.

In Christ: Phillip