I read a devotional today about Lazarus, about how his spiritual calling/gift was his incredible testimony. and the devotional ended thus: "we too, have died and been ressurected."
Sometimes we forget that. Sometimes I forget that, anyway. I remember to pray for my friends and family. and I remember to have patience, be kind, and trust God for the big stuff and the little.
But how often do I remember the new life I live, the resurrection made possible by Christ? In floating moments of worship at church, or in moments of acute contemplation. But rarely while I shower, drive, type, and do chores.
We too, have died and been ressurected. We too, have this great testimony to share.
10.24.2008
10.21.2008
Entire Sanctification: Mounthful of Jargon - or Hope?
Ah, the Nazarene Swirl - I mean doctrine. For those of you who are wondering, the Nazarene movement came just about a hundred years ago, from the Wesleyan Church, which came from
the Methodist/Puritan movement begun by John Wesley, that great linebacker.
The big breaking point for Nazarene's to compose their own denomination during the "holiness" movement was the phrase "entire sanctification.” It’s a weird theological point that goes hand-in hand with salvation.
The basic definition is that at some point after salvation, when sinners are covered by the blood of Jesus and forgiven their sins now and forevermore, we sinners should commit our every day to becoming more like Jesus. Not on our own strength, but on His own strength, a handy little fact with enormous possibilities. This is "entire sanctification" being covered and guided by the Holy Spirit to attain perfection.
When we are cloaked in the Holy Spirit, we, as sinful humans, have the possibility of becoming sinless. The sad reality is that in this life, on this earth, that is impossible. Then again, with God all things are possible, which means that at some points in time in our lives, we could indeed be “sinless.” If only for a moment. And underline this point: only because of Jesus' own blood and God’s own strength.
So in our strivings following salvation to live as Jesus’ would, he makes it clear that He will be the means, if we will be the vessel to focus on and strain towards a perfect life. One in which we always consider others’ needs before our own, consider our own wealth in this world not ours but those who need it, and maintain that the message of Jesus Christ should always be utmost in our actions and words.
It's a hard calling, and the “entire sanctification” that Nazarene’s preach is the message that it is possible to live as Jesus lived, even in today’s polluted, convoluted, and downright despicable world. With the cloak of sanctification – God’s act of making His people Holy – we can strive for His holiness to be the entire motivation for everything we do and say. Hence “entire.” It is entire in that God does nothing half way, and the possibility of being sinless, washed by His blood and living His choices is attainable, though not maintainable permanently on earth.
This is probably confusing to many, and I’ve heard it expressed in this way:
It’s like marriage vows. Depending on the wording, the vows expressed in that sacred commitment include to cherish, to care for, to love unconditionally, etc. Just because you made those vows does not mean you will remain in them at all times and never slip up, even miniscule-ly. What it does mean is that with those vows, you promise that every single day you walk this planet, you will put everything you have into committing to your spouse. There are days you mess up, but you know that ultimately those vows and that wedding day created an expectation and a possibility that you can be a part of the perfectly growing and loving marriage.
Thus, when you are entirely sanctified, you acknowledge that by His Grace, you are healed, and that you will go on from that moment in your life to spend every moment reaching for that sinless and perfect existence. It does not mean that you are perfect, but rather than the Holy Spirit deigns to make it possible to walk with Him and be like Him, though we are sinful in nature.
This is crazy theology here. Many people get the logic of this twisted, mainly because there is very little logic involved. God is rarely logical, seeing as His “mind” probably functions at a much higher level than our own as humans. His logic is Hope. His logic is Peace. His logic is the blatant acceptance of the worst of evils in order to present the cleanest and whitest of souls. It’s not supposed to make sense.
Some others misinterpret this line of theology, thinking that “entire sanctification” translates into instantaneous and eternal perfection – like the Amish and the Quakers try to pursue: a sinless existence. Sadly folks, good Nazarenes and everyone else in the world alike can acknowledge that humans will never be permanently without stain on this earth. No one is touting this.
What this theology stands firm upon is the unending Grace of God the Father. The idea that a being so exalted would make a point to come down to earth, die for every soul that has ever sinned against God, and then offer free shiny clothes and the possibility to become like Him.
Pretty much the best possibility I’ve ever heard of.
the Methodist/Puritan movement begun by John Wesley, that great linebacker.
The big breaking point for Nazarene's to compose their own denomination during the "holiness" movement was the phrase "entire sanctification.” It’s a weird theological point that goes hand-in hand with salvation.
The basic definition is that at some point after salvation, when sinners are covered by the blood of Jesus and forgiven their sins now and forevermore, we sinners should commit our every day to becoming more like Jesus. Not on our own strength, but on His own strength, a handy little fact with enormous possibilities. This is "entire sanctification" being covered and guided by the Holy Spirit to attain perfection.
When we are cloaked in the Holy Spirit, we, as sinful humans, have the possibility of becoming sinless. The sad reality is that in this life, on this earth, that is impossible. Then again, with God all things are possible, which means that at some points in time in our lives, we could indeed be “sinless.” If only for a moment. And underline this point: only because of Jesus' own blood and God’s own strength.
So in our strivings following salvation to live as Jesus’ would, he makes it clear that He will be the means, if we will be the vessel to focus on and strain towards a perfect life. One in which we always consider others’ needs before our own, consider our own wealth in this world not ours but those who need it, and maintain that the message of Jesus Christ should always be utmost in our actions and words.
It's a hard calling, and the “entire sanctification” that Nazarene’s preach is the message that it is possible to live as Jesus lived, even in today’s polluted, convoluted, and downright despicable world. With the cloak of sanctification – God’s act of making His people Holy – we can strive for His holiness to be the entire motivation for everything we do and say. Hence “entire.” It is entire in that God does nothing half way, and the possibility of being sinless, washed by His blood and living His choices is attainable, though not maintainable permanently on earth.
This is probably confusing to many, and I’ve heard it expressed in this way:
It’s like marriage vows. Depending on the wording, the vows expressed in that sacred commitment include to cherish, to care for, to love unconditionally, etc. Just because you made those vows does not mean you will remain in them at all times and never slip up, even miniscule-ly. What it does mean is that with those vows, you promise that every single day you walk this planet, you will put everything you have into committing to your spouse. There are days you mess up, but you know that ultimately those vows and that wedding day created an expectation and a possibility that you can be a part of the perfectly growing and loving marriage.
Thus, when you are entirely sanctified, you acknowledge that by His Grace, you are healed, and that you will go on from that moment in your life to spend every moment reaching for that sinless and perfect existence. It does not mean that you are perfect, but rather than the Holy Spirit deigns to make it possible to walk with Him and be like Him, though we are sinful in nature.
This is crazy theology here. Many people get the logic of this twisted, mainly because there is very little logic involved. God is rarely logical, seeing as His “mind” probably functions at a much higher level than our own as humans. His logic is Hope. His logic is Peace. His logic is the blatant acceptance of the worst of evils in order to present the cleanest and whitest of souls. It’s not supposed to make sense.
Some others misinterpret this line of theology, thinking that “entire sanctification” translates into instantaneous and eternal perfection – like the Amish and the Quakers try to pursue: a sinless existence. Sadly folks, good Nazarenes and everyone else in the world alike can acknowledge that humans will never be permanently without stain on this earth. No one is touting this.
What this theology stands firm upon is the unending Grace of God the Father. The idea that a being so exalted would make a point to come down to earth, die for every soul that has ever sinned against God, and then offer free shiny clothes and the possibility to become like Him.
Pretty much the best possibility I’ve ever heard of.
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