In PART 1, we examined our "position", "in Christ", in 1 Cor. 1:2, where the Greek "Perfect" tense of "sanctified", means that we are sanctified once for all forever.

  Now, is any one on this earth completely sanctified in their Christian walk? The Scriptures emphatically say no. As 1 John 1:8 states "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

  In our "experience" here on this earth, we are presently in the process of "being sanctified". It is here that the Greek word "hagiadzo" takes on its meaning "to cleanse internally, or spiritually, by a reformation of the soul".

  We find this meaning in the Greek "Present" tenses of "hagiadzo" in Hebrews 2:11, and 10:10 & 10:14.

  Heb. 2:11 States: "For both he that sanctifieth (God, who is doing the sanctifying)and they who are sanctified (Present tense of hagiadzo, meaning "those who are being sanctified") [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren".

  Heb. 10:14 is very rich in that it states: "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever (our "position" "in Christ") them that are sanctified (Present tense of hagiadzo, meaning "those who are being sanctified").

  Yes, we are perfectly and completely sanctified in our "position" in Christ, but our experience here on earth is the process of "being sanctified". The New Testament has much to say about this present process of cleansing us internally and reforming our soul.

  A wonderful example is Eph. 5:25-27, which states that Christ gave Himself for the Church (the "called out" ones) "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

  Eph. 5:25-27, describes the "process" of cleaning us up internally, or spiritually, and compares it to the familiar "process" of doing "laundry". The Word of God is like the "soap", and the "work" is described as "washing", and the removal of "spots", "wrinkles", and "blemishes".

  There is a great lesson here, in that the removal of "spots" and "blemishes" requires lots of "agitation", and the removal of "wrinkles" requires "heat & pressure".

  The disciple Peter found himself agitated and under heat and pressure in Matt. 26:69-76, when Jesus was being interrogated and beaten and Peter remained at a distance and used cursing to deny that he even knew Jesus.

  In Rev. 21:21 the gates of the New Jerusalem also remind us of the process of our experiential sanctification. They are made of pearls. By God's design, beautiful and expensive pearls are formed by constant, unwanted, and unavoidable irritations.

  Isn't it amazing how our "agitations", and "irritations", and the times we are under "heat & pressure" make us aware of our "imperfections"! It is so easy to forget that the heat, pressure, agitations, and irritations are by God's design and are being used by God Himself to "presently" sanctify us! The testing of our faith is very precious to God. The Apostle Peter knows, and said so in 1 Peter 1:7.

  Written in Christian Love,

  Bob Jones