야고보서에 나타난 성화

The Sanctification in the Epistle of James

This paper studies the theological concept of sanctification as exposited upon in the Epistle of James. In the Epistle of James, the issue of sanctification is consistent with the issue of worldly works, focusing upon the issue that those redeemed by God-given Christian faith must deal with the man-made dilemma of attempting to continue to grow and develop their faith through earthly works. In the face of the bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in the hearts of the early Christian community to whom his entire epistle is addressed, James' emphasis the importance of the sanctification bestowed as a direct result of their faith in salvation through Jesus Christ. James' message reveals deep insight into the concepts of: faith as the assumption of sanctification; on the perfect law of liberty as the standard of the sanctification, on the negative effects of lust and sin inflicted upon the Believer by the temptations of Satan as two of the major interference factors affecting sanctification; on the concept of testing and endurance; the effects of wealth and poverty; and finally caution regarding the use of words and the power of the tongue by human Believers. In addition to these topics, this paper also focuses attention on the meaning and use of wisdom as an assistant motive towards receiving God's sanctification through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. As a natural consequence of these discussions, the paper will assist readers to more fully comprehend and appreciate how the author of the Epistle of James is consequently guiding his readers towards the way of the sanctification through faith and the resultant perfect work to solve the problems of the community.