Is Sanctification a Dead Doctrine?

There was a time when much of the church world including the early Methodist and Pentecostals believed that there was an appointed work of the Holy Spirit known as sanctification.  There was even a phrase that said there was a chronology of events in the life of the follower of Christ.  That phrase was, "saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit." During the early days of the Charismatic Renewal that phrase was ridiculed because believers no longer needed to "tarry" at an altar awaiting a work of the Holy Spirit known as sanctification.  Since receiving the Holy Spirit baptism was a work of grace activated by faith, one just believed unto receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Thousands and even reported millions of people received the blessed experience of this heavenly baptism without the tarrying step.  Certainly, theologically this seems accurate since all we receive from God we receive by grace through faith and it is not a work of our own effort.  The argument is that the "waiting or tarrying" occurred at Pentecost and is not needed again.  I agree with all of that thinking.  However, when I compare "Spirit filled/Full Gospel" people of today to 40 years ago I see distinct differences.  
We could put these differences in pros and cons.  The con side of the comparison would include legalism, sin consciousness and often a lack of boldness because of a weak understanding of our righteousness in Christ.  The pro side of observation of the past was a greater life of outward holiness.  Believers today do things on a regular basis that would have stunned believers 40 years ago.  Is the difference only that we have come to a place of enlightenment of the Scripture and Spirit that our growth has made us different?  Are we stronger now?  Are we more like Jesus now?  I'm just observing and asking.

I don't have time or space to do a Biblical study of this subject but basically Holiness is a life and lifestyle that represents a life dedicated to God.  When we dedicate buildings to use as church buildings we set them apart for worship and ministry.  They are dedicated to God.  We, like buildings are called God's building, the real church.  The Scripture tells us that now "we are the temple of the Holy Spirit."  That indwelling of the Holy Spirit sets us apart.  It is not meant to simply be a ceremonial setting apart or sanctification but a real experiential sanctification.  There is a moment in time and certainly an ongoing change from "glory to glory".  Here is my question for us today.  When was our moment in time when an experience of sanctification occurred.  Regardless of when you believe it happened whether at your salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit or an event that was called sanctification, when was that moment? Did anything happen?  Were you different afterward?  Are you different now?  Sanctification of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Believer should produce holiness, a holy life.  That would mean that there would be a difference from the former life.  Please make this a matter of prayer and meditation today.  Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the matter to you and may we be courageous enough to embrace His revelation.  

Vigilante Justice

Matthew 7:1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.(NLT)  

The word "judge" used in this verse brings to mind exactly what it should, the Judge in a court room.  The word in the Greek means "to decide by implication, to try, condemn, punish, avenge, condemn…"  Judging in a way as to determine the penalty for ones wrong doing belongs in a court room or lies in the hands of governmental authority and not in the power of citizens.  That is why civilized societies have established courts of law for just such purposes.  The normal citizenry should not deal with such issues, neither are they equipped to do so.  Anytime that men intervene in the judiciary process, take the law into their owns hands and dole out what they believe to be justice, that action is called vigilante justice.  Vigilante justice, regardless of motive is in itself, a crime punishable by law. 
One of the worst places that vigilante justice occurs is in the church.  Why is it so prevalent in the church?  Because Christians have knowledge of "the Law", the Bible and that knowledge causes them to rush to justice, often without all the facts and at times prejudiced by personal offense or by taking up the offense of others.  In the world we have courts of law to handle such matters and in the church only church leadership should be involved in judging matters and dealing with matters of discipline.  Judges and church leaders are supposed to be mature and impartial when it comes to such issues. If they are not, they recuse themselves from dealing with the issue at hand.  Only those appointed and anointed leaders are equipped to deal with such solemn matters.  
Jesus actually said that when we begin to judge others we set into motion an atmosphere of judgment that will entangle our lives with judgment coming back to trouble us too.  That is the principle of "sowing and reaping".  What then should we do when we have knowledge or think we have knowledge of a crime or wrong doing?  There is a process that is equipped to deal with such matters and it begins with duly appointed leadership in the courthouse and the church house.  Lay it confidentially at their feet and release the offense and the possible offender and don't speak of it with others.  That is the only way we can be sure we won't become embroiled in vigilante justice.  

Dr. David Livingstone

 There was a time when Dr. Livingstone was approached about the possibility of a missionary society sending some more men to help him in his efforts to reach the people of Africa. They wrote him a letter that read, "Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you." Livingstone wrote back, "If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."

I believe that is all I need to say in this blog!

LAJ