SANCTIFICATION

AS IT RELATES TO JUSTIFICATION:

We will consider the doctrine of sanctification at this time because of its close relationship to the doctrine of justification .

“SANCTIFICATION” comes from the verb sanctify. Sanctify originates from the Greek word hagiazo, which means to be “separate” or to be “set apart.” In the Bible, sanctification generally relates to a sovereign act of God whereby He “sets apart” a person, place, or thing in order that His purposes may be accomplished.” [Taken from FOLLOWING JESUS].

The word “sanctify” means “set apart, and also to make holy for God’s purpose.” We must understand that God’s goal for each Christian is to be set apart while:

HE MAKES THEM HOLY

The doctrine of sanctification is best understood by considering it’s three-fold nature;

Failure to clearly understand the process that God takes to achieve sanctification in a person’s life, MAY lead to misunderstanding about one’s own and other Christian’s position in Christ. Also, it may hinder the Holy Spirit from His work in this process.

A CLOSE LOOK AT SCRIPTURE WILL REVEAL THAT THE WORD SANCTIFY IS USED TO DISCUSS THREE VERY DISTINCT ACTS OF GOD

POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION

Is discussed in the bible as what occurs at the moment a person is saved in Christ. It is discussed as a completed work. When discussed from this perspective it means to be set apart for the work of God. Scriptures that are examples of this usage are:

Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

1 Corinthians 1:2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:

Jude 1:1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Notice that sanctification in these passages are spoken of as already accomplished and complete. In this regards it is similar but not the same as “JUSTIFICATION”. POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION and JUSTIFICATION are similar in that they both occur at the time of salvation and this portion of God’s plan is complete.

See also 1 Corinthians 6:11 [notice past tense.]

PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION

Refers to the on-going spiritual development of the believer through the work of the Holy Spirit which enables the believer to be more effective for the cause of Christ.

Scriptures that are example of this usage are:

1 Thessalonians 4:3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

1 Thessalonians 4:4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:21I 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

Notice that this sanctification in these passages is spoken of as not complete but a work in progress. One should also notice that progressive sanctification is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. It is the DUTY of the Christian to yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in this area. It is incorrect to think of this process of sanctification as an option or to think that one is allowed to decide to what extent he can yield. God’s plan intends that every Christian yield completely and immediately upon salvation. A vast portion of the New Testament deals with this aspect of “sanctification”.

The work of God by the Holy Spirit

The Bible places strong emphasis on the fact that the Holy Spirit is given to Saints for them to achieve this progressive sanctification.

Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Romans 10:2-4 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Every Christian should yield to the Holy Spirit

Romans 6:12-13 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Ephesians 2:7-10 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Sanctification is part of God’s plan for man to fulfill His eternal purpose.

Footnotes [Read Also}

[Genesis 3:7 and 21]

ULTIMATE SANCTIFICATION

Refers to the act of God that will occur in the future. It will happen upon Christ’s return at His “second coming”. All Christians will receive an immortal body, and the old nature of sin that we inherited from Adam, will be destroyed. Ultimate Sanctification is also known as our “GLORIFICATION”. Scriptures that are examples of this usage are:

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith

i1 Corinthians 15:51-54 51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Philippians 3:20 – 21 20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Notice that this sanctification in these passages are spoken of as something yet to be accomplished and incomplete.

There are many important lessons that are being taught when one understands “Ultimate Sanctification”. It shows:

1. The importance that God places on holiness

2. God had to resolve the issue of man’s sinfulness before man could experience the “ultimate” fellowship God intends to share with humanity.

FINAL POINTS

There is as a relationship between justification and Sanctification, yet they are different.

1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Justification has to do with the fact that God is declaring an individual to be righteous and not charging an individuals sins to their account.

1 Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth

Sanctification has to do with God setting an individual apart [from the world] to make him Holy and to achieve his purpose with that individuals life. Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Every Christian should take this work of Sanctification that is being performed by God, to be an extremely important matter in their life. Sin is the only issue that separates mankind from God and what will determine any persons eternal destiny. God has a very specific plan to resolve the “sin problem”. It is imperative for all who wish to be saved, that they follow God’s plan of salvation. They must understand that no works of righteousness will justify an individual, However, God Justifies all who pit their trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. It is also. important then for every Christian to understand that God has a plan for each Christians’ sanctification which they should seek with all possible diligence.