Musick-al note # 159
I am not sure as to what is meant when asked this question but I will try to give an answer based on the New Testament. Simply stated, the Christian life is a life which a follower of Jesus Christ tries to live in this world. It is a life dedicated to Him who saves from sin. It is a sanctified life, set apart from sin that one might serve God. Christians are called to be saints in the Bible (1 Corinthians 1:2).
The word “saint” in the Bible is from the Greek word “hagios” which means “one set apart”. It refers to EVERY Christian, for every Christian has been called and set apart for the work and service of God. He is “sanctified”. (See 1 Corinthians 1:2). The Roman Catholic idea of someone being a “saint” who has been especially called and named by their leaders, and one who has died and to be revered is not found in the Bible. Of course all saints in the Bible sense should pray for each other (James 5:16), but that means that if I am a Christian, I am a saint, and I should pray for you. And if you are a Christian, you are a saint, and should pray for me.
SANCTIFICATION has a basic meaning of “separation” and, in the Bible relates to that which is separated from ordinary things to be used for a sacred purpose. It is used of times, places, things and people. The idea of some denominational groups that sanctification means “total sinlessness” is not supported by the Bible. When the Bible speaks of God as being “holy” (the root word is the same as “sanctified”), it refers to his being separated from all evil. When man is sanctified, he is separated from the world and worldly things and his life is therefore dedicated to God. Of course, if he is thus “positionally” sanctified, he should live apart from sin. When Paul wrote to those “saints” in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2), they were “sanctified” or holy, in the sense that they had been separated from sin in their obedience to the gospel. He pointed out that they were not living sinless lives, and needed to repent. The Christian life is the striving to live a sinless life in the world. Since all sin (1 John 1:7-10), the Christian will repent and ask forgiveness for all sin that is committed, knowing that the blood of Christ will cleanse us from those sins.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 