No standing on your head.

Jude,

the servant of Jesus Christ,

and brother of James,

     to them that are sanctified by God the Father,

     and preserved in Jesus Christ,

     and called:  

Mercy unto you,

and peace,

and love,

     be multiplied. Jude 1:1-2 KJV

“Sanctified” is a churchy word that we don’t encounter in common conversation.  It can mean “purify” or reserved for a special purpose.  The wine that Jesus made for the wedding at Cana was sanctified…a special reserve that He processed on the spot (John 2).  When Jude writes to “them that are sanctified by God the Father,” we should ask how God did the sanctifying and when it was done.

The calvinist solution for this question is to manufacture a theory of pre-selected humans that were a part of God’s eternal soul but had not been brought forth into the physical realm of creation (obviously a picture that does not correspond with John 2).  After creation, God injected these “enlightened” soul-beings into the physical realm through biological procreation.  The obvious problem with this unbiblical piece of imaginary stupidity is that it places every “sanctified” human on a par with Jesus.  In other words, it is Gnostic doctrine that was condemned by the church 1900 years ago and definitively in 325 AD.

The biblical solution to this question is that the Father sanctifies humans through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is God and is capable of cooperating with the Father to provide forgiveness and renewal to humans who are all sinners (Revelation 12:11).  Jesus is human and the sinless son of God who took sin upon Himself and disposed of it through His own obedient death (Philippians 2:8).  Anyone who accepts the gift of salvation from Jesus through believing in His death, burial and resurrection is eligible to be cleansed in His blood by the Father (Romans 10:9-10).

The preserving work of Jesus is spelled out for believers in John15:1-7.  The Vine sustains the branches.  Branches cannot establish their own doctrines and practices that are removed from Jesus and the cross.  Being continually established in relationship with Jesus and His work is part of the calling to which He demands obedience.  Being confused about biblical issues is a normal part of spiritual growth that the Holy Spirit will manage within the faithful heart.  We must continue to remind ourselves that perfect understanding does not guarantee a status of “right standing” before the Lord since He is diligent in examining our hearts (Jeremiah 17:10) and not our heads.

The result of being sanctified and preserved is a multiplication of mercy, peace and love.  The point where this heavenly math begins is the cross of Jesus.

Come to Jesus.

Come to the Cross.