BIBLICAL PERFECTION AND SANCTIFICATION

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23

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What does perfect mean? What is Biblical perfection!

Two main ideas about perfection in the Bible:

1. Here in this word. Has the thought of equipment. To be completely equipped, all the details are in order.

Compare: A home completely equipped - has everything a home ought to have.

Compare: 2 Timothy 3:17.

2. Another word much used. Fully developed.

Compare: a child, youth, now a man fully grown: a perfect man in the sense that he has reached the goal of growth.

Compare: Matthew 5:48 and Hebrews 5:14.

Perfection never means sinless. Nowhere in the Bible is the word perfect used to mean sinlessness. Always the thought of complete attainment. Arriving at the goal. (We need other English words to translate these Greek words.)

5:23 to sanctify, make holy.

The root meaning:

O.T. To separate from worldly use and place at disposal of God. That is holy, sanctified, consecrated, which belongs to God. May refer to days, seasons, places, objects, person. Set apart from God. To sanctify anything is to declare it as belonging to God.

Compare: Exodus 13:2.

Compare: Leviticus 8:10.

Compare: Jeremiah 1:5

N.T. Compare: John 17:19

So the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 4:3 This is the will of God,

even your sanctification...

Compare: If living in Paul's day, wanted to make a gift to the temple. Bring gift of gold coins, lay them on the altar. Moment given to God, become sanctified, set apart for holy use. Sanctification not change character of coins, but it did change their use of purpose. So every Christian is set apart from God, even though he fall short.

Compare: The Arlington dual purpose plant. If in was, set apart for a new purpose.

Compare: A man in office. Left in war, called into a new life. Everything changed - clothes, companions, purpose.

Sanctification, holiness, in Scripture, not a state of sinlessness, moral perfection.

2 Peter 1:21 This man holy! Yes. Bible says so. This man sinlessly perfect! Moses? David? God set them apart for these holy uses...

So the word saint. Common word, used some 511 times in NT, to designate the followers of Christ. They belong to Christ.

Compare: Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:2, then 3:1-3. They had come out of licentious, heathen religion, now a new purpose, dedication in Christ.

So the meaning of 2 Thessalonians 2:13. What does sanctification of the Spirit mean?

1. Here and the text it is something God does. Attributed to God. Just as the priest separated, consecrated, hallowed, an offering, so God...sanctifies the believer. He sets apart the believer for Himself. No one can sanctify himself - God does it; the choice of God.

2. Wrought by the Holy Spirit.

1. John 16:9 A conviction of sin (not plural sins) - not believing on Christ. A sinner not lost because a sinner, but because not trusted Christ.

2. John 16:10; 3:5,7; 1 Corinthians 12:13. Trusting Christ, the work of sanctification begins. Regenerated. Spirit takes the believer out of his position in Adam, under condemnation of sin, under condemnation of sin, puts him in Christ, body of Christ, a living part of the organism we call the church. A new kind of righteousness, the God-kind, given him. A justification, a righteousness, which is faith, a free gift of God purchased for us on the cross, a person trusting in Christ receives their righteousness, justification.

3. 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:13. Every Christian a temple of God. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God's dwelling place. Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. We are sealed unto the day of redemption. Presence of Holy Spirit God's token of ownership, security in Christ. Day of redemption is day of resurrection our souls redeemed now, our bodies then. God's Spirit now the seal, pledge, token, promise that we shall be completely redeemed, transformed.

This ultimate consummation at the coming of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 3:13.

Paul contemplated the time when we are going to be sinlessly, unblamely perfect in the presence of God. God has set us apart to Himself, to holy things. Not sinlessly perfect yet - Paul, not, John not in this life, but someday...

We are imperfect in this life, constantly falling short, coming to God, confessing our sins, but the day coming when we shall be absolutely unblamable, not only in our position before God, but also in our spiritual state. Now we follow after...Hebrews 12:14...but someday attain.

The life that can know, have fellowship with God.

The animal life, seat of affection, passions.

Physical, corporal body.