sanctification
or justification?
Galatians 3.3: Having begun in the spirit, are you now being made perfect by
the flesh?: Is the issue practical sanctification or forensic
justification?
The discussion on circumcision (in Galatians) leads me to think the issue is forensic justification, but in the mind of certain Jews, it was forensic justification made complete through a form of practical sanctification by the ritual of circumcision.
Acts 15.1 reveals that certain Jews taught that one could not be saved unless they were circumcised. I believe these Jews came to Galatia to ‘bewitch’ these Gentile believers. This addition to grace for salvation would be the addition of practical sanctification for justification. This is why I believe Paul says they begun in the Spirit but are now made perfect by the flesh.
I could see how this could be understood as a question about how one is practically sanctified, for the issue is basically the same. A believer does not seek practical sanctification by observing the Law but by a renewed mind in God’s grace. Yet, due to the issue of some teaching the need for circumcision for salvation, and Paul’s teachings on justification by faith in Christ, I believe forensic justification and not practical sanctification is in view.
Yet practical sanctification is in view in one important sense: these Jews believed that the sanctification that came by the Law was essential for justification, and so justification depended on practical sanctification of the flesh through certain observance of the Law.
It was not enough to believe in Christ alone for justification, but one must do this ritual of the Law. This ritual would be a show of righteousness in the flesh. It would become a basis of assurance that God would justify them.
This would be a shift of confidence away from Christ, and not only that, they would place themselves back under bondage to do the whole Law. (Gal 5.3) This is why Paul discusses the bondage of the Law, if they now desired to be under it. (Gal 4.21-31)
If they seek to be justified by the Law, then they would be ‘estranged” from Christ; such a maneuver would result in them having ‘fallen from grace.’ (Gal 5.4)
Though one is justified by faith in Christ, one still needs to wait patiently for the righteousness that would be revealed in them at Christ’s coming, (Gal 5.5), and not pursue this flesh-produced-righteousness now by circumcision.
Earlier, Paul quoted Habakkuk concerning the just shall live by faith. (3.11) Habakkuk used it practically. This might also support the idea that only practical sanctification is in view in the attempt to be circumcised. Yet I still think the issue here is sanctification for justification.
God has justified them by faith alone—just like with Abraham . That justification is a legal status of righteous conferred upon them. Yet there is more to come, i.e., more to come with reference to righteousness, for justification is the beginning. They need to wait for it by faith. It is theirs. God will come thru. Don’t produce it in the flesh now by observing the Law. For then, you are trying to perfect your salvation in the flesh. Then your confidence will shift away from Christ to what you are doing.
Christ has saved you; you are justified and will be glorified. Be patient and wait. The issue here is not much different than with those in the letter to Hebrews: Do not cast away your confidence (He 10.35-39) in Christ; do not go back to the Law for justification through the sanctification you can see in the flesh. To do so will bring judgment from God; it will be destruction and not salvation of the soul [life]. Christ can not accomplish anything in them by such a move. (Gal 5.2)
The discussion on circumcision (in Galatians) leads me to think the issue is forensic justification, but in the mind of certain Jews, it was forensic justification made complete through a form of practical sanctification by the ritual of circumcision.
Acts 15.1 reveals that certain Jews taught that one could not be saved unless they were circumcised. I believe these Jews came to Galatia to ‘bewitch’ these Gentile believers. This addition to grace for salvation would be the addition of practical sanctification for justification. This is why I believe Paul says they begun in the Spirit but are now made perfect by the flesh.
I could see how this could be understood as a question about how one is practically sanctified, for the issue is basically the same. A believer does not seek practical sanctification by observing the Law but by a renewed mind in God’s grace. Yet, due to the issue of some teaching the need for circumcision for salvation, and Paul’s teachings on justification by faith in Christ, I believe forensic justification and not practical sanctification is in view.
Yet practical sanctification is in view in one important sense: these Jews believed that the sanctification that came by the Law was essential for justification, and so justification depended on practical sanctification of the flesh through certain observance of the Law.
It was not enough to believe in Christ alone for justification, but one must do this ritual of the Law. This ritual would be a show of righteousness in the flesh. It would become a basis of assurance that God would justify them.
This would be a shift of confidence away from Christ, and not only that, they would place themselves back under bondage to do the whole Law. (Gal 5.3) This is why Paul discusses the bondage of the Law, if they now desired to be under it. (Gal 4.21-31)
If they seek to be justified by the Law, then they would be ‘estranged” from Christ; such a maneuver would result in them having ‘fallen from grace.’ (Gal 5.4)
Though one is justified by faith in Christ, one still needs to wait patiently for the righteousness that would be revealed in them at Christ’s coming, (Gal 5.5), and not pursue this flesh-produced-righteousness now by circumcision.
Earlier, Paul quoted Habakkuk concerning the just shall live by faith. (3.11) Habakkuk used it practically. This might also support the idea that only practical sanctification is in view in the attempt to be circumcised. Yet I still think the issue here is sanctification for justification.
God has justified them by faith alone—just like with Abraham . That justification is a legal status of righteous conferred upon them. Yet there is more to come, i.e., more to come with reference to righteousness, for justification is the beginning. They need to wait for it by faith. It is theirs. God will come thru. Don’t produce it in the flesh now by observing the Law. For then, you are trying to perfect your salvation in the flesh. Then your confidence will shift away from Christ to what you are doing.
Christ has saved you; you are justified and will be glorified. Be patient and wait. The issue here is not much different than with those in the letter to Hebrews: Do not cast away your confidence (He 10.35-39) in Christ; do not go back to the Law for justification through the sanctification you can see in the flesh. To do so will bring judgment from God; it will be destruction and not salvation of the soul [life]. Christ can not accomplish anything in them by such a move. (Gal 5.2)
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