Hebrews 2:10-18 ~ Sanctification during & after salvation, and to ‘fear death’ is sin

Today I gave an exposition of verses 10-18.

• Vs 10 is Jesus, is the Founder & Captain of our salvation
• Vs 11-13 is Jesus, Who sanctifies us
• Vs 14-15 is Jesus, Who defeated the Devil, and the fear of death
• Vs 16-18 is Jesus, Who made propitiation for His people.

In vs 11 he said “For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers,”

Now the greasy gracers or graceoholics, will reject what I’m about to say, they might even wrongfully call this a ‘works salvation.’

But in the context of this word ‘sanctifies,’ show me a professing Christian that is not sanctified, and I’ll show you either a false convert, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Upon being justified (saved) we do inherit an immediate form of sanctification, and that is this Greek word hagiazō (ἀγιάζω.)

This ἀγιάζω (or ἅγιος) is a part of God’s monergistic salvation. Which means the newly saved sinner inherits Christ’s imputed holiness and righteousness, as His atonement purifies them by expiation.  

As it says in Hebrews 12:14 ‘without holiness we cannot see God.’

But then after justification by grace alone, thru faith alone, in Christ alone, there is a ‘progressive sanctification’ that I believe is synergistic, and that is Hagiasmos (ἁγιασμός), which is “the process of making or becoming more ἅγιος (set apart or holy).”

Holy Spirit willing, the ‘progressive sanctification’ will increase and mature within believers, some more than others.

Chapter 13, Paragraph 3 of our confession says,

“In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word has prescribed to them.”

Matthew Henry said,

 “Christ sanctifies; he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit: the Spirit sanctifies as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are sanctified, endowed with holy principles and powers, set apart to high and holy uses and purposes. Christ and believers are all of one heavenly Father, who is God. They are brought into relation with Christ. But the words, his not being ashamed to call them brethren, express the high superiority of Christ to the human nature.”

Show me one professing Christian that does not tend to their ‘progressive sanctification,’ and I’ll show you one who “neglects their salvation” as warned about in last week’s sermon.

And when we received His hagiazō (ἀγιάζω) upon salvation, we can then be called “brothers,” or sisters, or the brethren.

As it says in vs 11b “That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers,”

Church, because of what Christ did on that cross, He has earned us the privilege of being called brothers, sisters, or brethren…