Sanctification as a Lifelong Process of Repentance
Sanctification as a Lifelong Process of Repentance
Sanctification is a theological concept that refers to the process by which believers are set apart for God's purposes and made holy. According to 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" [1]. This process is rooted in biblical teachings, such as Jesus' prayer in John 17:19, "For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth" [4].
The biblical basis for sanctification is multifaceted. In the Old Testament, the concept is linked to the idea of being set apart for God's service, as seen in the consecration of the priests and the people of Israel. In the New Testament, sanctification is associated with the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:22, "But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life" [2]. This indicates that sanctification is a process that follows justification and regeneration.
The process of sanctification is closely tied to the concept of repentance. According to Luke 1:75, believers are called to live "in consecration and righteousness before Him all the days of our life" [3]. This implies a lifelong commitment to turning away from sin and towards God. The writer of Hebrews notes that believers are sanctified "through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" [5], highlighting the foundational role of Christ's sacrifice in the sanctification process.
Different Christian traditions understand sanctification in various ways. The Reformed tradition, represented by John Calvin, emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, while the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, highlights the importance of personal holiness and the pursuit of perfection [8, 7]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, views sanctification as a work of God that is both internal and external, involving the implantation of spiritual life in the soul and the manifestation of holiness in daily life [9].
The lifelong nature of sanctification is emphasized in various biblical passages. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Paul writes, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" [9]. This indicates that sanctification is an ongoing process that is willed by God for believers. The process involves the mortification of sin and the cultivation of holiness, as seen in the exhortations of the apostles to live a life of obedience to God.
The connection between sanctification and repentance is also evident in the biblical emphasis on the need for ongoing purification. In 1 Peter 3:15, believers are called to "sanctify Christ as Lord" in their hearts, indicating a need for ongoing consecration and reverence for Christ [10]. This process of sanctification is facilitated by the Word of God, as noted in I Timothy 4:5, where it is written that "it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession" [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”
- Romans “But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life. -- Romans 6:22”
- Luke “Luke 1:75 (LITV) — in consecration and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.”
- John “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. -- John 17:19”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 10:10 (KJV) — By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (YLT) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 11:38: First washed - See on Mar 7:2-4 (note).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.2: 64:7 66:24 Jeremiah 4:31 5:8 5:28 7:4 7:4 9:1 10:23 10:24 10:24 11:21 17:1 17:5 18:16 19:6 19:8 22:24 22:28 25:9 25:13 25:18 28:10 28:11 30:11 31:15 43:2 48:2 50:11 Lamentations 1:7 2:5 2:8 3:29 Ezekiel 15:3 16:26 20:11 20:24 20:25 26:2 26:14 37:1 43:15 43:15 47:11 Daniel 5:28 5:30 5:31 7:10 7:17 8:20 Hosea 1:7 6:4 8:14 9:6 13:3 Joel 1:13 2:13 2:23 2:28 Amos 1:3 3:6 4:1 4:1 5:10 5:19 8:11 Micah 1:3 1:11 2:11 7:9 7:16 Nahum 3:8 Habakkuk 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:2 3:2 3:2 3:13 Zechariah 9:14 13:4 14:3 Malachi 1:4 1:11 4:2 Matthew 2:14 3:12 3:12 3:12 3:12 ”
- 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, ”