 Christians throw around Bible jargon often, but do we stop to look closely how Scripture defines those words? So far we have considered: justification, sanctification, and redemption. We’ll do one more today: repentance.
As always, we must start with Scripture to construct a definition of the term. The very first person to use the term ‘repent’ in the New Testament was John the Baptist: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” - Matthew 3:2 In Mark’s gospel, it was Jesus who spoke of this first: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” - Mark 1:15 The call to repent is clear enough, but what does it mean? When Peter was communicating the grand gospel story to onlookers in Jerusalem, he said… "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” - Acts 3:19 A little later, Peter again says… "Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.” - Acts 8:22 The word “change” may be a good one to use to sum up the overarching trajectory of repentance. It means changing direction - away from wickedness - and turning to God. Closely linked with this is the forgiveness of sins. Turning away from godlessness and sin and turning to God and holiness. In some other contexts, it conveys the idea of remorse - sorrow for sin (Ps. 51). The result is what Jesus exhorts us to in Luke 3:8: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” When you hear someone use the term ‘repent’, remember, it’s a summons to change direction - away from sin and godlessness - to Christ, the forgiveness he offers, and a life lived to honor him.
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 Christians throw around Bible jargon often, but I’ve often wondered a couple of things regarding that practice. First, do the Christians who use those words truly know what the words means? And second, do people who are new to Christianity or are curious about it know what those words mean? This blog series will attempt to give brief explanations for common Christian jargon.
Todays’ word: Redemption Once again, we must always start with Scripture. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…" - Eph. 1:7 “...in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - Col. 1:14 The grammar is unmistakable. Redemption means having one’s sins forgiven. So there is substantial overlap between ‘redeem’ and ‘forgive.’ Forgiveness doesn’t require a payment for settlement. If it did, it wouldn’t be forgiveness. So implied in ‘forgiveness’ is grace. Forgiveness is giving someone something they don’t deserve. It’s giving up the right to get even. If I injure you, you forgive me by giving up the right to get even - it’s forgiveness; it’s grace. But right away we should see a problem. The problem is seen most clearly with a severe injury. Take murder or rape for example. No society would be able to hold together if every judge released all the murderers and rapists who “felt sorry" for what they had done. Additionally, in this case, isn’t justice being ignored? Releasing a murderer without consequence isn’t justice; it’s injustice! The same is true of God. Every sin is the moral equivalent of murder or rape committed against God because he’s infinitely holy. God can’t just say to us, “Are you sorry?” And if we are, let us go free. That’s ignoring justice - which is injustice. In order for God to let us criminals go free, there has to be some dramatic demonstration that justice hasn’t been ignored. The dramatic demonstration that God’s justice hasn’t been ignored is seen in the cross of Jesus Christ. The above verses are clear about that! “In him we have redemption through his blood…” These verses are so clear: redemption is having our sins forgiven through the death of Jesus Christ. But that’s not all… "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." - Rom. 8:23 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." - Eph. 4:30 Redemption is already and not yet. On the one hand, redemption has already happened: our sins have been forgiven. On the other hand, redemption is something we await in the future. We, the redeemed, along with creation itself “groan” under the weight of living in a fallen world. But a day is coming when what causes us to groan will be no more. There will be redemption. One more aspect to redemption can be seen in Titus 2: Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. - Titus 2:14b-15 Jesus gave himself for us so that we could be redeemed from lawlessness to purity and good works. There’s an aspect of redemption that is ongoing growth in good works. In each example, redemption demonstrates movement from something to something. From guilty offender to exonerated child of God; from groaning under the weight of sin’s corrosive effects, to perfected existence; from lawless living to holy devotion.  Christians throw around Bible jargon often, but I’ve often wondered a couple of things regarding that practice. First, do the Christians who use those words truly know what the words means? And second, do people who are new to Christianity or are curious about it know what those words mean? This blog series will attempt to give brief explanations for common Christian jargon.
Todays’ word: Sanctification Every occurrence of the word “sanctify” word group comes from the “hagiadzo” word group in the original language. This word translates simply as “holy.” Surveying each occurrence renders a twofold understanding of this concept. On the one hand, “sanctification” is something believers have already experienced: To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus… - 1 Cor. 1:2 “...so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." - Acts 26:18 These verses come from a group of passages that indicate “sanctification” is something that has already happened. By faith, Christians are holy (Acts 26:18). On the other hand: Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. - 1 Thess. 4:1-8 In this context, “sanctification” is something that is happening and should continue to happen in the future. It is a process by which Christians are freed from sinful habits and the character of Christ is formed in us. It is moral renovation. Some additional observations about this aspect to “sanctification” should be made.
Sanctification is both fixed and in process. On the one hand, Christians are already holy through the life and death of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:2). On the other hand, Christians are called and ought to be growing in holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit and power of God’s Word. One contemporary application: “sanctification” isn’t optional. Growing in holiness isn’t for “serious Christians.” It’s for all Christians. One sign you’re a true believer is a desire to grow in holiness and actual growth in it. |
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