Holinisness is not....

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Luke

I don't see any process of sanctification other than as Wesley put it at the point of salvation our flesh begins to die but there comes a point when in an instant that death is complete and that point is entire sanctification. After sanctification there are still many things to learn and grow in. This does not mean that we grow more and more sanctified because once we are sanctified that is what we are. To illustrate this point think of a watermellon plant once the seed dies and the plant sprouts it will never be more of a watermellon plant than it is then. Also no matter how big it grows it will always be a watermellon plant it does not change from one plant to another no matter the growth it remains what it is. Same way with us once we are sanctified we remain sanctified unless we forfiet our standing with God. We do not grow into something other than what we are.

I can see what you're saying. I guess that's not as crazy as what I thought you were trying to say. Perhaps growth is a better term than process, given the way you're looking at it.

There is one thing I disagreed with. However, it's a topic that deserves it's own thread and has been debated and discussed for hundreds of years.

...unless we forfiet our standing with God.

I don't believe we can forfeit our standing with God. I believe that God has chosen His elect before the foundations of the world. Not predicated upon anything they would ever say, do, or believer. But rather in accordance to His divine will and purpose as it relates to His glory. That being said, I don't believe that God merely gives up on His elect. Oh, they might sin. They might even rebel and try to forfeit their standing with God. However, He will efficaciously bring them to their knees through subtle conviction... or raw and awesome power. He never lets go. He never gives up. He never fails. Those who may partake in God's gracious goodness and then fall away... only reveal that they were never of the elect.

But that's my opinion on the issue. I don't think those who might disagree are lost. I simply think that they don't understand the sovereignty and power of God.