Preparing for Glorification in Eternity Through Sanctification Practices
Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God's service and progressively made holy [4]. It involves more than a mere moral reformation; it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the entire person under the influence of the new principles implanted during regeneration [1]. This work extends to the whole individual, encompassing their thoughts, affections, and actions [1].
The biblical basis for sanctification is evident in various passages. For instance, Ephesians 5:26 speaks of Christ sanctifying and cleansing the church "by the washing of water through the word" [2]. Similarly, 1 Timothy 4:5 states that things are "sanctified through the word of God and prayer" [3]. John 17:17 records Jesus praying for his disciples, "Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth" [9]. This highlights the integral role of God's word in the sanctification process [4].
Sanctification is understood as both an internal and external reality. Internally, it is a work of the Spirit that implants spiritual life, divine light, and grace in the heart, aligning the will with God's will and setting affections on divine things [6]. Externally, it manifests in a holy life and conversation [6]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that sanctification is God's will for believers [6]. It is a continuous process, carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration [1].
Different traditions emphasize various aspects of sanctification practices. The Methodist tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, suggests that "sanctify yourselves" involves changing clothes, washing bodies, and preparing minds through meditation, reflection, and prayer to offer acceptably to the Lord [8]. This reflects a focus on outward purity and inward spiritual preparation. Presbyterian commentary on 1 Peter 3:15 interprets "sanctify Christ as Lord" as hallowing and honoring Christ as holy, enshrining Him in one's heart, and allowing God's holiness to be glorified in the heart as the dwelling place of His Spirit [7]. This internal sanctification is then coupled with being ready to defend one's faith [7].
The concept of purification, closely related to sanctification, historically referred to the process by which individuals deemed unclean under Levitical law were restored to community and worship privileges [5]. While this had ceremonial aspects, the New Testament understanding of sanctification moves beyond ritual to a spiritual transformation [1, 5]. The ultimate goal of sanctification is to prepare believers for glorification in eternity, making the church "glorious" [4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:26 (Geneva1599) — That hee might sanctifie it, and clense it by the washing of water through the worde,”
- 1 Timothy “For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. -- 1 Timothy 4:5”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Purification — The process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges. The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of Atonement (q.v.). But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. For example, the case of the leper (Lev. 13, 14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matt. 8:2-4). Uncle”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
- 1 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 16:5: Sanctify yourselves - Change your clothes, and wash your bodies in pure water, and prepare your minds by meditation, reflection, and prayer; that, being in the spirit of sacrifice, ye may offer acceptably to the Lord.”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:17: The next thing he prayed for for them was that they might be sanctified; not only kept from evil, but made good. I. Here is the petition (Joh 17:17): Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth; it is true - it is truth itself. He desires they may be sanctified, 1. As Christians. Father, make them holy, and this will be their preservation, Th1 5:23. Observe here, (1.) The grace desired - sanctification. The disciples were sanctified, for they were not of the world; yet he prays, Father sanctify them, that is, [1.] "Confirm the work of s”