Introduction to sanctification.org
Sanctification is an important Christian topic. But how many can speak plainly about what sanctification consists of? Perhaps it is implicit in the name; “to be made holy”. But what does that mean for us? How does it happen? And what is necessary in order to partake of sanctification?
The Authors of Sanctification
Throughout history, there have always been men and women who have had a strong faith and a deep longing to follow Jesus. Many of them have left behind writings that have been—and continue to be—a great source of help, comfort, and edification to sincere Christians. In the series “Authors of Sanctification,” we will examine a number of such authors. Who were they? What did they write? Why were they so interested in this particular issue? And what can we learn from what they wrote?
Early Church Fathers
The early church fathers were key individuals who carried on Jesus’ teaching, after the death of Paul and the other Apostles. They maintained contact between the churches. They served as church leaders and missionaries. They wrote epistles, personal letters and sermons, which have been preserved up until today. This is also our main source of information about them.
Their efforts had great importance in preserving the message of Jesus and the Apostles. They often took great personal risk, endangering even their own lives. Many of them died as martyrs. Yet they never doubted what they did was right. By their work the message of Jesus was preserved, so that we today can read it in the Bible, and can be edified by the same message.
Songs of sanctification
Music and song has always been important for Christians, and songs and hymns has always found a natural place in worship services and devotion. Songs can bring forth the message in such a way that it reaches through to more people. They also make it easier to remember. The Bible is also full of poetic texts.
But what is it that gives songs an enduring power? Is it only the authors ability to formulate nice, poetic sentences and phrases? Or can experiences in life, experiences of faith and of God’s presence also be communicated through songs?
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is the most famous speech ever, held by the most important person in World history. Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, born into the world as a human being. But it is also something much more than that. The Sermon on the Mount is the Gospel. The Gospel means “glad tidings”. It is therefore glad tidings for us. But it is also radically challenging. Many will claim that it is impossible to do what Jesus commands us to do in the speech. But it is nevertheless Jesus commandments in the New Testament, given unto to us for obedience and imitation of Jesus example. So how can we, weak and fragile human beings, be able to fulfill all the commandments that Jesus gives us in this famous speech?
