Justification, Sanctification (Numbers 14):
Troy Hunnicutt 3/29/2019
Numbers 14:2-5, 11,12 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
11 And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
11 And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
Moses Prayed:
19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.
The Lord Pardoned The People:
20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.
22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.
22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
But God Disinherited Them To Go Into the Land:
The people were "saved" but they will not get what Joshua and Caleb will inherit.
23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any
of them that provoked me see it:
Paul Was Exhorting And Reminding The Persecuted "Christian" Hebrews:
Hebrews 3:8-15
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in [their] heart; and they
have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from
the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Additional Scriptures On Salvation/Sanctification:
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of
the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2 Timothy 2:21
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21 Holman Christian Standard Bible
So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special
instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Romans 6:6 - Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Hebrews 13:12 - Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
1 Corinthians 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 1:2 - Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Romans 6:1-23 - What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Read More...)
Hebrews 10:14 - For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
2 Peter 1:2-4 - Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (Read More...)
Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
Exodus 31:13 - Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it [is] a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I [am] the LORD that doth sanctify you.
Nancy Missler gives her insight on this subject;
https://www.khouse.org/articles/2009/885/
of them that provoked me see it:
Hebrews 3:8-15
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in [their] heart; and they
have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from
the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of
the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2 Timothy 2:21
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21 Holman Christian Standard Bible
So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special
instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Romans 6:6 - Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Hebrews 13:12 - Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
1 Corinthians 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 1:2 - Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Romans 6:1-23 - What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Read More...)
Hebrews 10:14 - For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
2 Peter 1:2-4 - Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (Read More...)
Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
Exodus 31:13 - Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it [is] a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I [am] the LORD that doth sanctify you.
Nancy Missler gives her insight on this subject;
https://www.khouse.org/articles/2009/885/
Salvation, Justification and Sanctification
....Most Christians have been taught about the Millennium, but many of them don’t realize that not only our rewards, but also our place of responsibility in the future kingdom will be either won or lost according to our faithfulness in this life. (1 Cor. 3:12-15) In other words, our behavior here on earth matters—it counts! Therefore, there is a huge need for us to recognize our own personal accountability before the Lord. This is what The Kingdom, Power and Glory series tries to convey.
Jesus came to deliver us out of the authority of darkness and bring us into His kingdom of Love. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin (2 Cor. 5:21) and gave His Life so that we could be reconciled back to the Father, be given the authority and the power to overcome the enemy and be trained as His companions to rule and reign with Him over the earth. This is what “salvation” is all about.
“Salvation” literally means to deliver from chains or shackles by a payment or a ransom. Christ, of course, paid that ransom for us by shedding His blood on the Cross. Salvation is a “free gift” that God wants everyone in the world to have. All that is required of us is to believe in what Christ has already done on the Cross and commit our lives to Him. This simple act of faith is called “justification” and is what makes us “declared not guilty” before God. (Rom. 3:26; 4:5-6)
Even though “justification” declares us “positionally” reconciled to God and declared not guilty, “experientially” (in our life actions) we have not changed a bit. Our behavior is exactly the same as it was and our character hasn’t been touched a bit. In other words, the act of “justification” doesn’t automatically transform us into Christ’s image. It simply leads us to the process of “sanctification,” which is how God actually conforms us.
Thus, complete salvation is really a lifelong process. One way to view this is: Our spirit is saved at our new birth (justification); our soul is in the process of being saved through the sanctification process. And our bodies will be saved in the future at the resurrection.
Consequently, we receive the “salvation of our souls” at the end of our faith, not the beginning.
Thus, complete salvation is really a lifelong process. One way to view this is: Our spirit is saved at our new birth (justification); our soul is in the process of being saved through the sanctification process. And our bodies will be saved in the future at the resurrection.
Consequently, we receive the “salvation of our souls” at the end of our faith, not the beginning.
Both 1 Peter 1:9 and Hebrews 10:39 validate this. Therefore, complete salvation doesn’t consist of one simple choice at the beginning of our faith (to accept Christ as “Savior”), but thou-sands upon thousands of choices to stay faithful, obedient and persevering till the very end (allowing Christ to become “Lord” of our lives).
The actual saving of our soul is dependent upon our moment-by-moment choice to “put off” our sin and self and to “put on” Christ. (Eph 4:22-24)
The actual saving of our soul is dependent upon our moment-by-moment choice to “put off” our sin and self and to “put on” Christ. (Eph 4:22-24)
So, even though we have a redeemed spirit as a result of “justification,” until we are sanctified, we still have an unredeemed soul and body.
The following CHART is what “justification” looks like:
The following CHART is what “justification” looks like:
See CHART 2 - Justification
The gold dot in the middle of the circles represents our re-deemed spirit. It’s gold because at our new birth, it is saved and declared righteous before the Lord. This is a “free gift” just for the asking. Notice, however, the larger and yet, darker grey circle around the gold dot. This circle represents our soul. It’s grey be-cause at this beginning point, it is still unredeemed. It represents our own natural thoughts, emotions and desires that are usually opposite to God’s.
Transforming these to Godly thoughts, emotions and desires is what the sanctification process is all about. The outer grey circle, then, represents our body which will be redeemed at the Rapture.
This process is called “glorification.”
Transforming these to Godly thoughts, emotions and desires is what the sanctification process is all about. The outer grey circle, then, represents our body which will be redeemed at the Rapture.
This process is called “glorification.”
So, the first step of salvation (“justification”) simply means receiving God’s eternal Life in our spirits (the gold dot). It means we have passed from death (separation from God) to Life (i.e., God is in us).
However, our soul (the grey circle) still has not changed a bit. It’s still the same as it was before we were born again, our own natural thoughts, emotions and desires.
However, our soul (the grey circle) still has not changed a bit. It’s still the same as it was before we were born again, our own natural thoughts, emotions and desires.
As we proceed in these articles, when we talk about “justification” always remember the “gold dot” in the center of the circle, our saved spirit.
If we should die at this point, we would go to heaven and be with the Lord. Sanctification, on the other hand, means seeing the Life of God that was placed in our hearts when we were born again, actually begin to come forth and transform our souls—His thoughts becoming our thoughts, His Love becoming our love and His will, our will.
If we should die at this point, we would go to heaven and be with the Lord. Sanctification, on the other hand, means seeing the Life of God that was placed in our hearts when we were born again, actually begin to come forth and transform our souls—His thoughts becoming our thoughts, His Love becoming our love and His will, our will.
Sanctification is how we are transformed from a “soulish” and “fleshly” man to a “spiritual man.” It’s learning how to actually live Christ’s Life. At this point, because we are being sanctified, we become partakers of Christ’s Life—His Love, wisdom and power—(not just receivers of His Life). The light of Christ’s Life is coming forth—that beam of Light…
See CHART 3 - Sanctification Process
Therefore, justification is really just the first step of salvation. It’s not the end of the race; but only the beginning of our walk with the Lord. (It’s the dot in the middle of the circle, not the beam of light!) God desires to make us in character and action, righteous, holy and set apart so that “beam of light” (God’s Life) can come forth. Unfortunately, this transformation into His image doesn’t happen automatically. It’s going to be our constant and continuing choice!
Receiving the Holy Spirit in our spirit is like the down payment, the pledge or the seal of a much greater commitment that is yet forthcoming. (Ephesians 1:13) In other words, the union of our spirits (justification) is simply a symbol of our “betrothal.” Our “wedding” is still forthcoming!
“Justification” is what gets us into the Millennial Kingdom and heaven. It’s what opens the door for us, but “sanctification” (learning to actually live and partake of Christ’s Life) is what will make us those faithful and obedient overcomers who will rule and reign there with Christ.
“Justification” is what gets us into the Millennial Kingdom and heaven. It’s what opens the door for us, but “sanctification” (learning to actually live and partake of Christ’s Life) is what will make us those faithful and obedient overcomers who will rule and reign there with Christ.
Christ is the One who will accomplish this transformation in our lives by the power of His Holy Spirit. But we are the ones who must choose to let Him do so moment-by-moment.
Justification is a free gift that we simply receive and em-brace; whereas, sanctification is the process that will outwardly reveal that we have, indeed, been saved. (John 13:35)
The whole point here is that salvation truly is a life-long process. Salvation begins with “justification” and the gift of a new Spirit, but the real work involves the “sanctification process” (faithfulness, perseverance and obedience) because that’s what will qualify us to co-reign with Christ in the coming Millennial Kingdom. Therefore, “sanctification” is what the majority of these articles will be about.
The whole point here is that salvation truly is a life-long process. Salvation begins with “justification” and the gift of a new Spirit, but the real work involves the “sanctification process” (faithfulness, perseverance and obedience) because that’s what will qualify us to co-reign with Christ in the coming Millennial Kingdom. Therefore, “sanctification” is what the majority of these articles will be about.
“No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setting it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.” Luke 8:16
KPG - What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification is the means God uses to make us partakers of His Life so that we can become those overcomers who inherit the Millennial Kingdom. Yes, the “ransom work” has already been finished (the external completeness, our justification), but the inward completeness must still be secured. Thus, there is a conditional aspect of sanctification. This will depend upon the willingness of the believer to die to self and be alive unto God. Sanctification, therefore, is the first step in the “ladder towards the kingdom:” Sanctification (being open and cleansed) leads to partaking of Christ’s Life (actually living His Life); partaking of Christ’s Life leads to overcoming; and, over-coming leads to inheriting and co-reigning with Christ.
Consequently, our fulfillment, our meaning and our significance in this life and the next all rest upon this important first step of sanctification. If we are not sanctified, we won’t be able to partake of Christ’s Life, which prevents us from overcoming, which in turn, will cause us to forfeit our “inheritance.” If we are not sanctified, nothing else will or can happen! In other words, it stops the whole cycle. The bottom line is: the measure of our usefulness to the Lord in the future kingdom will be found in the measure of our sanctification here and now.
God’s whole purpose in calling us is to place us back in the position for which we were originally created––to be a “joint-heirs” with Christ ruling and reigning with Him over the earth. (Genesis 1:26) Since this was notfulfilled at the beginning of time because of Adam and Eve’s sin, God has deter-mined to accomplish this purpose in the Millennium where man will finally occupy a regal position over a restored earth. (Acts 3:21)
Ruling and reigning with Christ is the mark or the goal of the high calling of Christ. Listen to Philippians 3:10-14 where Paul says, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are be-fore, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Incredible as it may seem, God seeks our fellowship, our communion and our love. He actually wants to dwell among us. We were created for His pleasure. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
See CHART 4 - The Purpose of our Salvation
The purpose of our salvation, therefore, is not only an earthly mission (to be conformed into the “image of Christ” for a witness to others), but also to regain the blessings of a future heavenly and glorious kingdom. NOW is just the testing ground! Faithful, obedient and sanctified believers (the over-comers) who depend upon the Holy Spirit for everything will be qualified to inherit that kingdom. (Hebrews 10:23) Unfaithful, disobedient and unsanctified believers (the overtaken) will enter that kingdom, but forfeit the privilege of having levels of responsibility there.
The Role of the Holy Spirit:
The role of the Holy Spirit is to help believers become sanctified and reach the goal of inheriting the kingdom. First of all, the Holy Spirit is sent to seal us, then to sanctify us and finally, to transform us into Christ’s image for our future inheritance. In other words, the Holy Spirit will provide the power that will enable us to become those partakers and those over-comers who produce “fruit.”
In the Bible, “fruit” is spoken of as actions, deeds or “good works” that are accomplished by the Spirit through us. “Fruits of righteousness” should be a natural outgrowth of receiving God’s eternal Life in our hearts. (James 2:14-18) The fruit of our Christian lives is what will be judged at the Bema Seat of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) In other words, believers are saved with a view towards bringing forth “fruit” and this fruit is the “score card” by which we will inherit the kingdom or not.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that bearing “fruit” was God’s plan all along. It says we were “created in Christ Jesus unto good works (to bear fruit), which God has ordained that we should walk in them.” (Titus 3:8) God’s will, then, is that we not only receive His Life in our spirits at our new birth, but that we also learn how to live His Life out in our souls so we might bear “fruit.”
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”…“The fruit of the Spirit is Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, 25)
To be continued next month: “How Secure is our Salvation?” This article has been excerpted in part from Chuck and Nan’s new book The Kingdom, Power and Glory. For more information on this and other King’s High Way products.
