When a person becomes a Christian, there are certain words that apply to his spiritual state. However, those words are not often used in modern languages. Our goal today is to discover the meaning behind those words.
Redemption – set free from some type of bondage because an individual has made a payment for the price required like that of the slave being purchased and then set free. In the New Testament redemption is an activity of God through Jesus Christ. It is a ransom Jesus paid for sinners to be free from the bondage of sin as paid to the Heavenly Father.
Reconciliation – is bringing together man and God by removing of what caused the separation in first place. It is necessary so that the existing enmity on man’s part can be eliminated. The result is restored fellowship between sinner and God. God is not the one that is the subject of the reconciliation. It is the resolution of being reconciled to God.
Propitiation – because man and God present a state in which God is holy and man is not, there is a need for satisfaction to resolve the problem. The death of Jesus fully satisfied the demands from the offended holiness of God. Therefore, Christ is a satisfaction against the sins of humans who are an offense to God by their nature and by their behavior. Thus, the death of Christ was a substitutionary for sin. It satisfied the righteous demands of God against the sinning person. This can be used in the judicial frame of mind since God is satisfied by Christ, the individual sinner then appropriates that propitiation through faith to benefit. God need not be persuaded. He is merciful. The work was completed on the cross to which God is satisfied. What remains is for man to enter by faith into that which is already a completed work.
Sanctification – this word is derived from the Hebrew which means to be set apart or consecrated. This involved purification. When a person’s experience of sanctification, it is the progressive experience as they grow in Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is the Christian’s desire to be separated from profane things and to consecrate himself to purity. This is to reflect to a renewed work in man after the original image of God that requires a person to divest himself of sin and live unto righteousness. This is a distinct separation from what is unrighteous to what is holy. No one ever reaches the full 100% state of sanctification. It is a progressive step in living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is what makes one grow spiritually. When we become a Christian, at that moment we become sanctified, but afterwards each day we are progressively being sanctified.
Modification – is an inference of putting to death of the old nature. It also includes the idea of considering what is dead. We are admonished by Paul’s writing that we are to put to death the old man. This is in light of a person’s unification with Christ. It encourages our understanding of how are true position, and dedication with Christ. One cannot nurture the old nature of sin while at the same time growing in the Spirit of God. This requires a breach from the deeds of the old body and the old spirit. It is a breaking away of the cooperation with sin. In fact, as a person grows spiritually, that person creates hostility within himself towards sin and a strong resistance to the evil desires that work in his body and in his mind.
Oblation – is primarily referred to in the Old Testament but generates to the New Testament. In the Old Testament it refers to “heave offering”. Primarily it emphasizes a general acknowledgment of God’s high-power honor and goodness. In the New Testament, it refers to a consciousness that the offender has within himself what belongs to God. Christ made a once for all offering. It is then the responsibility of the believer to bring his own oblation to God, which is to offer his body as a living sacrifice, the sacrifice of praise, the gifts to live according to God’s will.
Paraclete – it comes from the Greek word to walk alongside for the purpose of helping, to exhort to teach to console to encourage. He gives us the idea of a slave that was assigned to be a teacher of the master’s son. The Holy Spirit is also our Paraclete. When Jesus ascended to heaven he became our advocate before the Father for our sin. It was a necessity that in his absence, the Holy Spirit carry on the work of assisting or guiding the believer. He is then our Paraclete, our teacher. His is to convince us and guide us through the world of sin toward the truth of righteousness. He testifies to our spirits for what is approved by the Holy Spirit, by God.
Perseverance – refers to the steadfast continuing as personal servants and bodyguards would be steadfast in their obligation. We are responsible for how we live and what vital relationship we have with God. We exercise true free will when we choose that which is God’s will. We persevere in the grace of Christ.
Hopefully these identifications of words that are sometimes difficult to comprehend will be of help to you as you read your Bible and as you study doctrines. All of these words have special meaning for us in relationship to God’s work in us for salvation. Notice each one and appreciate each one so that they become part of your daily spiritual life. Also, you might keep this list in mind for those to whom you’re trying to testify. Avoid using these words. Instead use their meaning to the person who is to hear your words of eternity.
Christian Writer 