In the wee hours of the Church; which was purchased by the Blood of Christ, we see that, Children of Israel were the first to become the Redeemed of God by his Grace, through Faith which is given by Him.
The Children of Israel were quite used to a reality of a Sacrificial Lamb, so perhaps it was not so difficult for these early Christian Jewish people to understand that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God. And the Lamb of God had secured forgiveness of sin. After all, the Jewish people were used to seeing lambs, goats, and bulls being slain to stand in their place for their sin, not to mention the numerous prophecies which had been given to them throughout their history (Isaiah, Chapter 53 is just one good example).
Another thing they were used to, was having a sacrifice slain whenever they committed sin (Numbers 15:27-28 & Hebrews 7:27). For this reason, I believe it should have been easy for them to return to the sacrifice (which in this case was now Christ), with thankfulness (because he was now the sacrifice which they had accepted, by the Grace of God). Very frequently, and often, at least on a daily basis, they would undoubtedly, thank the Lord Jesus for what he had accomplished for them on the Cross (Hebrews 3:14-18). Just as a lamb had been slain for sin, on a daily basis (Numbers 15:27-28 & Hebrews 7:27); they now would look to Christ whenever sin reared its ugly head (I pray to God that the modern Church of today would do the same).
THE LAW
A major problem which these new converts had it seems is that they still felt they were bound by the Law ([Hebrews 7:19], a belief that in order to be truly righteous before God, they needed to follow the Righteousness of the Law [Hebrews 4:10-11]). It was as though they considered the Sacrifice of Christ as a way to cleanse their sin but following the Law would make them Righteous before God (perhaps not really understanding that Christ had become both the offering for sin [1 Corinthians 15:3] and the offering which imputed Righteousness unto them [Romans 10:3-4]).
Most likely these early Christians felt they needed to do this because it was what they had always done; and they just did not have a full understanding of all which Christ accomplished, on our behalf on the Cross. Fortunately for these early Christians and us as well, Apostle Paul addressed this problem in the Epistle to the Hebrews and other Epistles as well. Thus showing, that even our sanctification did not come by the Law.
1Corinthians 6:11, says, “And such were some of you: but you are Sanctified, but you are Justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Ephesians 5:26, That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word 27, That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be Holy and without blemish.
And Jude 1 says, , , , , , to them who are Sanctified by God the Father
Hebrews 10:10 says, by the which will we are Sanctified through the Offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.
After examination of Sanctification as taught by the Scriptures, it becomes evident that; Sanctification is really a process which can only take place when we are separated unto God by the Blood of Christ, and can only become a reality in our living of life by God Himself washing our minds in the Word of God. And this will only happen if we are in a continual position of trusting Christ. And the reason that a continual trust in Christ is necessary, is because of, “The Law of The Spirit of Life IN Christ Jesus”(Romans 8:2). In other words the Spirit will not give Life outside of our trust in Christ.
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