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Sanctification is a subject about which there is much confusion, so it cannot be studied too frequently or probed too deeply. The
subject is of such great significance that it appears in both the Old and New Testaments. The word sanctification denotes a spiritual
concept which we shall consider from two perspectives. We must be careful in our division of Scripture with regard to it (2 Tim. 2:15).
The Bible focuses predominantly on sanctification as a work of divine grace, declaring plainly that we are sanctified by God. The epistle
Jude is addressed to "...them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called..." Jude 1).The other view
of sanctification concerns man's duty. The Bible commands, "...Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among
you" Gosh. 3:5). Both perspectives are supported by biblical teaching, yet it should be understood that they are not two parts of the whole.
Some may regard sanctification as a work which is performed in part by God and in part by man, but it is not. The Bible does not teach
that sanctification is a composite of two parts neither of which can stand alone. What God does to sanctify us is complete in itself and
needs no assistance from man. While God is in no measure dependent upon us to perform His work of sanctification, we are altogether
dependent upon Him to perform our duty. Without His work of grace, we would be powerless to perform the duties of sanctification which
He has commanded; but if we are sanctified by God, we are then able to sanctify ourselves.
We need here to give a working definition of sanctification. Its root meaning seems to suggest a setting apart. The Bible speaks of the sanctification
of both things and person. Sanctification is the setting apart of something or someone to be holy. The word sanctify seems to
be related to the word consecrate. The implication is that we are separated both from something and unto something. When the
priests sanctified themselves (Ex. 19:22),they not only washed in the laver but also put on clothes of holy significance (Ex. 28:2). Thus as
we are sanctified by God, we are saved from sin unto salvation and therefore from hell to heaven. When we sanctify our lives we not only
cleanse our conduct of evil but we also replace it with good. By the example of God's sanctification which works salvation in us, we are
thus taught to work out our own salvation (Phil. 2:12);this is personal sanctification. Both concepts carry the idea of holiness.
Look first at the divine aspect of the subject. This sanctification is a supernatural work. It is performed entirely by God - The Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost. Paul said, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly..." (l Thes. 5:23). As God is our source, Christ is the
medium of our sanctification. In Hebrews 10:10, we read; "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all." Therefore sanctification is not merely something but is also Someone - Jesus (l Cor. 1:30).The Holy Spirit also sanctifies
us. Peter's first letter is addressed to the "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit,
unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ ..." (l Peter 1:2). The Holy Spirit is the "agent" of our sanctification.
Since sanctification is a supernatural work of the Trinity, it is a perfect and lasting work. Nothing that God does will ever fail. God
has set us apart from sin and unto holiness. It took a work of divine grace to overcome the nature of sin and implant the nature of holiness.
We are by nature sinners; therefore God had to divinely impart holiness. Since it is a perfect work, the elect are forever set apart as
God's and none will finally be lost John 6:39, 10:28).
Second, we must recognize that sanctification is a work that takes place not only for us but also within us. It involves the work of God
the Father who elected us and thereby set us apart from the remainder of Adam's race. It also involves the work of redemption wrought by
Jesus on the cross almost two thousand years ago.
Third, it involves the work of the Holy Ghost by which we are quickened into spiritual life. Yet sanctification is more than a mere
combination of these three gracious works. We can be certain that it has its beginning in these divine actions, but sanctification is an
ongoing experience which endures throughout life on earth. It is a work of free grace, whereby God has separated us from the reign of
sin and unto Himself for service. It is a setting-apart from the world by a holy nature that is within us. It is by this holy seed that we become
conscious of sin. Being sanctified does not mean that we live in sinless perfection but that we are aware of our imperfection. Sin does not
die within the believer; he must still reckon with his mortal nature. Because of sanctification, the believer dies to sin and desires it no more.
Sanctification is a beautiful work. It not only makes us beautiful to God but makes God beautiful to us, for it glorifies Him. The beauty
of sanctification has only begun here on earth, for when we are in heaven with God and are changed into complete perfection, then shall
we manifest the full beauty of this glorious work of grace. Sanctification and glorification are both ours. Sanctification is now; glorification
is yet to come. Sanctification is the seed and glorification is the flower. All this is to the praise, honor, and glory of His grace!
Now let us look at sanctification from the viewpoint of man's responsibility. God has prepared us by grace through His work of
sanctification; now we are to sanctify ourselves and our lives. Remember that God's work of sanctification is unaffected by our
success or failures in this area, but our success is dependent entirely upon the work of God's grace. If He had not changed our hearts,
we would be unable to change our lives or conduct.
Because God has sanctified us, we are taught by Him to sanctify ourselves. We are to set ourselves apart from the world's sinful ways
and unto the holy ways of God. The negative side of this work is putting off the old man, but the positive side is putting on the new
man "which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:22-24). It is useless for us to put off the old unless we put on
the new. If we remove the ways of this sinful world, we are to replace them with spiritual ways and the pursuit of holy interests.
It is with regard to our pursuit of holy living that we are said to be sanctified by the Word. Jesus said, "Sanctify them through thy
truth: Thy word is truth" John 17:17). The Scriptures are to serve as a mirror James 1:23-25)into which we may gaze to see both what
is wrong in our lives and also what is right in the sight of God. They also shed light upon the pathway of life (Ps. 119:105) so that we may
see both the good and evil ways (Mt. 7:13-14). Once we know what is right or wrong, then we can begin to lay aside the old rags of sinful
habits and pick up the new garments of godly practices and holy living. Exercising them one by one, we sanctify ourselves before God and
our fellow man.
Only those who truly desire to serve God will strive for personal sanctification. Such people are vessels of honor. Paul said, "If a man
therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every
good work" (2 Tim. 2:21).When God's children will cleanse themselves of all known sin, recognize the fact that they are to be filled with
holy deeds, and endeavor to become more holy by performing good works, then they are sanctified (set apart) and meet (very useful) in
the service of our Master. With a desire to sanctify ourselves, we have a holy vision of what we can become by the help and grace of God.
God does not demand us to be rich, successful, or famous, but He does command us to be sanctified. "For this is the will of God, even
your sanctification...That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour ...For God hath not called us
unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (l Thess. 4:3, 4, 7).
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