REAL CHRISTIANITY IS NOT TRULY UNDERSTOOD, FOR MUCH OF THE TEACHING IS SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION, AND THIS CAUSES CONFUSION AND DIVISION. At Its Simplest Level, We Can Say That All One Has To Do Is Love God And Love Our Neighbors As Ourselves. However, even this is difficult; in addition, there is a need to learn and understand God's plan and purpose for humanity in the current state of affairs in the world. Consequently, even when it comes to securing salvation and the assurance that there is more to life than the futility of being born to die, there are different views on how this is achieved. Sanctification, the mysterious phenomenon whereby one is set apart from the world by being covered by the eternal blood of Jesus, is part of the salvation plan. Understanding this, like so much of life itself, brings different perspectives to the table, usually based on some influential person’s experience that is formulated into a teaching, which then becomes official doctrine for a particular denomination.

 As Christians do we have to live sanctified lives in order to be saved?

Happy Riches

Answers

The question of whether Christians must live sanctified lives to be saved is a topic of significant theological discussion. Views vary among the different Christian denominations. Let’s consider some key points, then distinctives of certain persuasions, and finally, we will look at what the Bible (using the English Standard Version) has to say about sanctification.

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

Many Christian traditions emphasize that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through human effort or works. This is supported by passages such as Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

The Role of Sanctification

Sanctification refers to the process of becoming more like Christ and growing in holiness. While it is often seen as a necessary response to salvation, many Christians believe that sanctification is a result of salvation rather than a prerequisite for it. In other words, a transformed life is evidence of genuine faith.

Faith and Works

The relationship between faith and works is addressed in the New Testament. For example, James 2:17 states, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." This suggests that true faith will naturally produce good works and a sanctified life, but it does not imply that these works are the basis for salvation.

Different Perspectives

A. Protestant View

Many Protestant denominations emphasize that while sanctification is important, it is not the basis for salvation. They uphold that faith in Christ is the sole means of salvation. This view is supported by:

• Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." This underscores that salvation is a gift, not earned through works.

B. Catholic View

The Catholic Church teaches that both faith and works are essential for salvation. They believe that sanctification through good works, sacraments, and adherence to the teachings of the Church plays a crucial role in the process of salvation. This is reflected in:

• James 2:26: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." This emphasizes the necessity of works as a demonstration of faith.

C. Holiness and Wesleyan Traditions

Some traditions, such as Methodism, emphasize the importance of sanctification and may teach that a fully sanctified life is an ideal for believers, while still affirming that initial salvation is by grace through faith. This is supported by:

• Romans 15:16: "to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." This indicates that sanctification is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

D. Biblical view

The New Testament presents a clear connection between sanctification and the believer's relationship with Christ, emphasizing that while salvation is a gift of grace through faith, sanctification is an integral part of the Christian life and essential for retaining and growing in favor with God. Key scriptures include:

1) Sanctification Through Christ

In John 17:19, Jesus highlights His own sanctification is linked to the sanctification of His followers, indicating that through His sacrifice and truth, believers are set apart for God’s purposes.

• John 17:19: "And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."

2) Inheritance Among the Sanctified

Acts 20:32 affirms that the word of God’s grace is able to build believers up and grant them an inheritance among those who are sanctified. This suggests that sanctification is not merely a process but also a status that believers attain through their relationship with God.

• Acts 20:32: And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

3) Transformation from Darkness to Light

Acts 26:18 emphasizes the transformative power of faith in Christ, stating that believers are called to turn from darkness to light and receive forgiveness of sins, thus becoming part of those who are sanctified by faith. This underscores that faith in Christ leads to a sanctified life.

• Acts 26:18: to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

4) The Role of the Holy Spirit

Romans 15:16 speaks of the offering of the Gentiles being acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This indicates that sanctification is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, reinforcing the idea that a sanctified life is a result of divine influence.

• Romans 15:16: to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

5) Identity as the Sanctified

In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul addresses the church as "those sanctified in Christ Jesus." This identity as sanctified individuals is foundational to the Christian faith, suggesting that being sanctified is part of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 1:2: To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

6) Justification and Sanctification

1 Corinthians 6:11 states, "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." This passage illustrates that sanctification is closely linked with justification, indicating that those who are justified are also called to live sanctified lives.

• Corinthians 6:11: And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

7) Unity in Sanctification

Hebrews 2:11 notes that "he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source." This unity in sanctification emphasizes the communal aspect of being set apart for God, reinforcing the idea that believers are collectively called to live in a manner that reflects their sanctified status.

• 1 Hebrews 2:11: For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers

8) The Finality of Christ’s Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:10 and 10:14 highlight that believers have been sanctified through the offering of Christ’s body and that this single offering has perfected those who are being sanctified. This indicates that while sanctification is a process, it is rooted in the completed work of Christ.

• Hebrews 10:10: And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
• Hebrews 10:14: For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

9) Warning Against Profaning the Covenant

Hebrews 10:29 warns against trampling underfoot the Son of God and profaning the blood of the covenant by which one was sanctified. This serves as a serious reminder that living in a manner contrary to one’s sanctified status can have grave consequences.

• Hebrews 10:29: How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

Conclusion

In summary, while living a sanctified life is important for Christians and essential for securing eternal salvation, what needs to be recognized is that Christian teachings assert that salvation itself is ultimately a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The emphasis on sanctification varies among different denominations, but it is generally viewed as a response to salvation rather than a condition for it. However, though often shunned, the Bible states that to once be sanctified, a lifestyle that deviates from that sanctification can have eternally severe consequences if the blood of the covenant is profaned.

There Are Many Views But In Reality There Is Only One Source Of Truth