You Might Be Wrong

Before I came to seminary I had a lot of ideas about theology. I didn't know that's what it was called, but I had a lot of ideas. I also had a lot of things I was really confused about. What's the difference between justification and sanctification? Why do they matter? Stuff like that. Here are a few basic definitions to keep it simple.

Prevenient Grace: God is out to get you. He spent all of his anger for all the sins you and I have committed on His only Son, Jesus Christ. Now that the price has been paid, God is out to make us part of the family. God loves us. The price for our sin has been paid. God is calling us, and enabling us to accept God's grace and to become part of the family. We cannot accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior if God has not first given us the ability to do so.

Justification/Regneration: The moment we stop filling our eyes and ears with sin, the moment we stop trying to drown out the sound of the Holy Spirit, and listen for God's still small voice calling out to us. The moment our soul respond's to God's calls saying, "Abba, Father!" In that moment we are reborn and we are given the ability to resist our sinful nature.

Process of Sanctification: The race run to the end of our days to become more like Christ, and to cast off all of the sins we habitually commit in every waking breath. The purpose? To be fit for heaven. This is not a terrific example, but think of it as joining the military. Justification/Regeneration is like getting off the bus at boot camp. Your head is shaved, your clothes are sent home to Mommy, and the drill instructors set out to make you into a new person. Sometimes you're torn down, but all of the time you are in basic you are becoming stronger. Why? To be ready for what's ahead. What's ahead for Christians? Heaven. And Heaven is worth being in shape for.

Entire Sanctification: Entire sanctification is a qualitative change. You can no more earn, or build yourself into being entirely sanctified than you could earn your way to salvation. There should probably be another term to distinguish between the process of sanctification and entire sanctification. I've often been confused about the two. Entire Sanctification is like the change in the new birth except way better. If regeneration wipes away all of our past sin, and relieves us of the burden of guilt for those sins, entire sanctification takes away the stain of sin. - I think. To be honest. I'm still trying to work this one out.

I hope this helps.