a.k.a Sanctification
See also The Conception of Adam: Spirit Soul & Body
Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the “saving of the soul”.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV) 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.
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian saints, whom he had spoken praise toward, was that they would be sanctified in spirit, soul, and body. These three make up all of mankind, who are made in the image of their Creator.
For God himself is made up of three separate persons, though they are one; 1 John 5:7
It stands to reason that man is distinct in all of God’s creation in that he is made up of three. For man is made in the image of God; Gen 1:27. The Holy Spirit is particular in the order they are mentioned. It is first the spirit, then the soul, and finally the body.
To better understand the sanctification of each it is necessary to understand the purpose of each of the three, let’s consider the scripture.
The spirit of man is likened to a candle.
Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Job 20:3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
It seems that God’s purpose for the spirit is to be a light or conscience. A built in restraint and guide to be used during man’s stay on this terrestrial ball. It is also the life of the body.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
It was when God had breathed into the nostrils of Adam this breath of life [spirit] that he became a living soul.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
If the spirit of man is the candle then it has no purpose without a light.
John 1:9 (KJV) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Psalms 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle [spirit]: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Job 18:5,6 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
There is a certain amount of light, or revelation given to all mankind. Even the wicked is said to have some light. It is with this small amount that man is able to perceive of a divine Creator given the creation he partakes of each day; Psalms 19.
By the measure that it has received revelation from the Almighty, it is enlightened. This is a revelation that all people possess so that they are without excuse. But there is a greater light of revelation that informs man that God has a name, and that He has a Son who is the mediator between Him and His creation.
Proverbs 30:4 (KJV) Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
The greater light of revelation can only come from God’s word communicated to man by the Spirit of God through the preaching of the word. It is through the regeneration of his spirit by the Holy Spirit that he can now be in communication with God. It is the conduit by which man is able to commune and worship with his Creator.
The soul, or flesh as it is sometimes referred to, cannot please God. Even after a person has been reborn in spirit, their soul is at enmity with the Divine nature of God; Rom 8:7,8
Our Lord has told us that we can only worship God in spirit; John 4:24.
It is first the spirit that is redeemed by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The soul still has to wait.
Romans 7:22 (KJV) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man [spirit]:
No man knows the make-up of the spirit or soul. Are they metaphysical? Or do they consist of matter unknown in our physical world? The scripture is silent on this.We are only told of their purpose while on earth.
As for the future state of the spirit of man; when he dies, it returns back to God who gave it. There doesn’t seem to be a distinction between the righteous and wicked when it comes to this revelation.
Job 34:14-15 (KJV) If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Could it be that the disembodied rich man in hell had only his soul? Luke 16:22. If the spirit returned to God, as Solomon stated, it would seem logical.
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The next mentioned is the soul. But for the sake of ending this article with the soul,let me first take some time on the body of man.
The body is what connects man to this physical realm. With it man can walk through this world. He can interact with his environment. Of the three It is the one made from elements of this world.
Genesis 3:19 (KJV) In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
When thinking of this verse, it is apparent that the scripture has revealed to us that the body is made up of elements found in the earth. What isn’t apparent is that man would have known this apart from this revelation. It was centuries later before science caught up with the scripture. Take for example the following from Wikipedia.
Almost 99% of the mass of the human body is made up of six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. Only about 0.85% is composed of another five elements: potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium. All 11 are necessary for life. The remaining elements are trace elements, of which more than a dozen are thought on the basis of good evidence to be necessary for life.[1]
Our body, like this world, is corrupt and is in a constant state of decay. In science this is called the “law of entropy”. Our connection (body) with this present world is decaying and will eventually come to an end. Even as a garment becomes frayed and torn. No wonder the scripture likens it to a tent or temporary shelter; 2 Peter 1:13,14
The scripture reveals that this law of entropy cannot be changed in this present world. Only when this present world is finally destroyed and replaced will this decaying process also be removed.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man [body] perish, yet the inward man [spirit] is renewed day by day.
The body must wait for it’s redemption; Rom 8:10,11. It is still a future event.
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
As for what our redeemed body, at the resurrection, will be like, we can be assured it will vary based upon our service in this age. Our works will determine its glorification. There are different types of glorification.
1Co 15:40-44 (40) There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. (41) There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. (42) So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: (43) It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: (44) It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
There is a sowing and reaping affect. In this life we are told to sow to the Spirit. That requires a dedication to the Lord through sufferings. It may be that you are called to a physical suffering, but most assuredly a spiritual suffering for all who live godly in Jesus; 2 Tim 3:12. A sinless life requires suffering; 1 Peter 4:1.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
We sow in dishonour now, for the promise of glory that will be revealed in our resurrected bodies. A body not of flesh and blood but one of flesh and Spirit. Jesus is our example. After his resurrection he appeared in flesh to the disciples insomuch that he challenged one faithless to touch and see that he was indeed real; John 20:27. But it was a body animated by the Spirit, having shed his blood for the atonement of sins.
We shall be like him in that matter; For “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God”; 1 Cor 15:47-50, 1 John 3:2. It is then that we as believers can say that death’s sting is no longer felt, though death is not defeated finally until after the 1000 year reign of Christ.
But Paul’s prayer for the believers in Thessalonica was for a whole sanctification of body as well as spirit and soul. It is God’s will that believers are complete and whole at the judgment seat. It is a reality that many will not. Let’s consider the warning that Paul gave of himself as being found naked at the presence of the Lord.
2Co 5:1-10
(1) For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: (3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (4) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (5) Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. (6) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (9) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
To be found naked at the judgment seat is a danger to any believer for what will then take place.
Baptism by Fire:
From the opening of the New Testament twice the scripture speaks of a future baptism of fire for the believer. 1) John the Baptist spoke of a baptism of the Spirit and by fire; Matt 3:11. 2) The Spirit’s prophetic testimony with the “cloven tongues like as of fire” on the day of Pentecost.
Baptism by fire is but the future for the believer because we are told on several occasions that we have an “earnest”, or “firstfruits” of the Spirit; 2 Cor 1:22,Eph 1:14,Rom 8:23.
EARNEST, n. ern’est. Seriousness; a reality; a real event; as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance.
1. First fruits; that which is in advance, and gives promise of something to come. Early fruit may be an earnest of fruit to follow. The first success in arms may be an earnest of future success. The christian’s peace of mind in this life is an earnest of future peace and happiness. Hence earnest or earnest-money is a first payment or deposit giving promise or assurance of full payment. Hence the practice of giving an earnest to ratify a bargain.
Only with a glorified body can a believer withstand the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit[fire]. It is the Spirit that is the fire that will test the degree of glorification of our body. “Our God is a consuming fire..” Heb 12:29. What we now sow in this life will come to fruition in our new body; whether it was to the Spirit or to the flesh.
Gal_6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
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The soul:
Romans 7:18 (KJV) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
If the soul cannot please God, then what is its purpose? Well, it is what makes up you. It is your personality, your characteristics. It is YOU. Adam was formed by God. But he was a non living “soul” until God breathed into him a spirit.
You can see several times where the scripture will use “soul” to represent a person.
Acts 2:41, 7:14, 27:37
Similitude:
Just as the Lord used parables to both teach and confound his people; Matt 13:10,11, the Lord also spoke in similitudes, or what would be our modern “simile”. This is his way of teaching his people doctrine using something that we would be familiar with. Something that we would be accustomed to from our day to day life.
Hosea 12:10 (KJV) I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
To give a better understanding of the soul’s role and purpose, God uses the relationship of a husband and wife.
The spirit is called the inward man; Rom 7:22, 1 Peter 3:4. It is given the male gender, whereas the soul is described in the feminine pronoun.
Psalms 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
Psalms 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
It is by design that the soul is described in this fashion by the Holy Spirit. He is teaching us a spiritual truth using natural aids such as genders. As a matter of fact, the bible is a gender “rich” book. When examining most nouns in the scripture you will find a gender pronoun attached to it.
The man is the head of the woman even as Christ is the head of man; Eph 5:23, 1 Cor 11:3. Whereas the wife is to be in subjection to her husband. Even so, the soul is to be under subjection to the spirit. For only can there be order and peace within a person when his/her “spiritual” house is in order. We are told of the contentious wife and the harm caused in the household;
Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
The communion of the Holy Spirit by way of our spirit and the line of communication is how we are to be instructed in the ways of God. It is the spirit [inner man] that receives instruction of which the soul is benefited from. There is an orderly transfer of instruction.
It is the instruction from the word of God, as it enters the “heart”, enlightening the spirit of man, with the aid of God’s Spirit that the soul of man benefits.
But a contentious soul is an obstacle to growth.
1 Peter 1:22 (KJV) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
God has purchased our whole being, our spirit, soul, and body, by His blood he shed on an old rugged cross. He has promised to deliver us from this corruption in due time. It is the outward body that is experiencing death, yet In the fullness of time, it and us will be fully redeemed. We cannot expect to experience the completed redemption until that last trump, when the dead in Christ shall rise. Even those that are alive at his coming will not fully know the redemptive power until then.
Even when Christ is reigning on earth with His rod of iron. Even while the tempter is chained in the pit and he no longer causes great turmoil and anguish for the inhabitants of earth, death is still not put down.
Revelation 20:5 (KJV) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
It is at the conclusion of Christ’s earthly reign that he is finally defeated. Even now, for the believer, death still has its “sting”.
In conclusion I must state that this topic has not been exhausted. This small study has not covered all things concerning the soul, or the spirit, for that matter. But if the reader has made it thus far, let me conclude with some warnings designed to make the hearer more resolute in their spiritual life and in their walk.
The scripture speaks of the soul as something that needs to be possessed or it could be subverted and lost by the Christian.
Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
There are consequences to not protecting our soul from the world and the flesh. Just as there were consequences for Adam’s refusal to protect Eve from the wiles of Satan. The result was death for man and his seed.
Christian there is the world and the devil lurking around the corner. We must care for our soul by continuing in the faith; not drawing back into perdition. It can only be done in the spirit walking by faith.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.