A thought occurred to me concerning how Protestants (myself included in the past) define what sanctification means. Our thoughts so often have been controlled by the American/Protestant work ethic. The rationale for the beginnings of America were initially formed around religious freedom (i.e., the state/a governing body should not control how we worship God). The Protestants, in response to Roman Catholic abuses, fled from hierarchy to form their own independent republic. One very clear part of that freedom included an ethic to create a productive, creative, ever successful culture. One merely has to look at the technological advances that were made in the United States from 1776 onward.
But this is not, at all, any part of the sanctification process, in fact, I would argue, contrary to it. Sanctification is all about purification and repentance. We are to turn away from things that are contrary to the Christian faith and renew our nous (mind/heart/thinking/attitudes/emotions). The Protestant work ethic, on the other hand, is all about success and progress in things temporal. It's about working hard and making progress so as to make life easier and more productive. It is a drive toward ease and comfort.
This thoughts needs more development.
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