Sanctification and the Pursuit of Christian Holiness
Sanctification and the Pursuit of Christian Holiness
Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God's service and made holy. It is a work of the Holy Spirit that continues the transformation begun in regeneration, extending to the whole person [1]. The concept is rooted in biblical teachings, with passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and 1 Peter 1:2 emphasizing its importance.
The biblical basis for sanctification is multifaceted. In the New Testament, Jesus prays for his disciples to be sanctified through the truth, specifically through God's word (John 17:17) [7]. The apostle Paul writes that believers are sanctified by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 15:16) and that Christ is made sanctification for them [3]. The process involves separation from sin and dedication to God's service, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:17 and Psalm 4:3.
Theological traditions understand sanctification in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, views sanctification as "the Laver, the Purification," emphasizing the role of baptism and the ongoing work of the Spirit [10]. Reformed and Baptist traditions, as seen in the writings of John Gill, emphasize the internal and external aspects of sanctification, including the implantation of spiritual graces and the manifestation of holiness in life and conversation [8]. Nonconformist and Puritan perspectives, represented by Matthew Henry, stress the importance of progressive holiness, urging believers to "make a progress in holiness, or to perfect holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1) [9].
The means of sanctification include the word of God and prayer. According to 1 Timothy 4:5, "For it is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer" [4, 5]. The word of God is instrumental in sanctifying believers, as it is through the truth that they are set apart for God's purposes.
The pursuit of Christian holiness is closely tied to the concept of sanctification. Holiness is a characteristic of God's nature (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 15:4) and is to be reflected in the lives of believers (Romans 6:19, 22; Ephesians 1:4) [2]. The process of becoming holy involves a gradual development, with believers being admonished to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23, 24).
The relationship between sanctification and glorification is also significant. While sanctification is the process of being made holy in this life, glorification refers to the ultimate state of being conformed to Christ's image. The two concepts are connected, as sanctification is seen as a step towards glorification [6].
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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
- 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”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (Geneva1599) — For it is sanctified by the worde of God, and prayer.”
- 1 Timothy “For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. -- 1 Timothy 4:5”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perfection — See [467]SANCTIFICATION.”
- 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”
- 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 ”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 7:1: These verses contain a double exhortation: - I. To make a progress in holiness, or to perfect holiness in the fear of God, Co2 7:1. This exhortation is given with most tender affection to those who were dearly beloved, and enforced by strong arguments, even the consideration of those exceedingly great and precious promises which were mentioned in the former chapter, and which the Corinthians had an interest in and a title to. The promises of God are strong inducements to sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely, 1. The dying unto sin, or mortify”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”