Section X
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the wellbeing of mankind; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; and they should seek to realize for themselves and other believers the full stature of maturity in Christ. We believe that every believer is sanctified, set apart unto God. Sanctification is manifested in a threefold aspect: first, saved persons are complete in Christ before God the Father standing in the righteousness of Christ that is applied to their life and therefore are declared legally perfect. Second, that saved persons retain their defeated sinful nature (Romans 6:6, 7:1421), which cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, while the standing of the Christian in Christ is perfect, their present state is no more perfect than their experience in daily life. There is therefore, a progressive sanctification wherein the Christian is to “grow in grace” and to “be changed” by the unhindered power of the Spirit. Third, the children of God will yet be fully sanctified in their present state, as they are now sanctified in their standing in Christ, when they shall see the Lord and shall be “like Him.”
Supporting Scriptures
John 14:15, 23-24; 17:17
Romans 12:1-21
1 Corinthians 4:2; 10:31
2 Corinthians 3:18; 7: 1; 9:6-9 Ephesians 4:13-16, 24; 5:25-27;
Colossians 1:9-10
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Hebrews 10:10,14; 12:12,10
1 John 2:36
