Sanctification as the Work of God's Grace
Sanctification is the work of God's grace that separates believers to His service and progressively conforms them to the image of Christ. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, sanctification involves more than a moral reformation; it is the Holy Spirit's work of bringing the whole nature under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in regeneration [1]. This process is carried on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, extending to the whole person (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19) [1].
The Bible attributes sanctification to the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that sanctification is effected by God (Eze. 37:28; 1 Thess. 5:23; Jude 1:1), accomplished through Christ (Heb. 2:11; 13:12), and carried out by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 6:11) [2]. Believers are sanctified in Christ (1 Cor. 1:2) through the atonement of Christ (Heb. 10:10; 13:12) and by the Word of God (John 17:17, 19; Eph. 5:26) [2].
The process of sanctification is closely tied to the concept of holiness. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines holiness as belonging to God in the highest sense (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4) and to Christians as consecrated to God's service and conformed to His will (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15) [6]. Personal holiness is a work of gradual development, requiring watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24) [6].
The role of the Word of God in sanctification is emphasized in 1 Timothy 4:5, which states that believers are sanctified through the Word of God and prayer [3, 4]. This underscores the importance of Scripture in the process of being set apart for God's service and conformed to Christ's image.
The understanding of sanctification as a work of God's grace is reflected across various Christian traditions. John Gill's commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:3 highlights that sanctification is the will of God for believers, involving both an internal work of the Spirit and an external manifestation in holy living [7]. Similarly, in his commentary on Ephesians 2:10, Gill emphasizes that believers are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works [8].
The doctrine of sanctification by grace underscores that salvation is not achieved through human works but is a gift from God. This is reinforced by the understanding that good works are a result of sanctification, not a means to achieve it [5].
The biblical basis and the theological understanding of sanctification as a gracious work of God highlight its significance in the life of believers. As a process that begins at regeneration and continues throughout a Christian's life, sanctification is fundamental to the Christian experience, shaping believers into the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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”
- 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”
- 1 Timothy “For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. -- 1 Timothy 4:5”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (YLT) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Works, Good — The old objection against the doctrine of salvation by grace, that it does away with the necessity of good works, and lowers the sense of their importance (Rom. 6), although it has been answered a thousand times, is still alleged by many. They say if men are not saved by works, then works are not necessary. If the most moral of men are saved in the same way as the very chief of sinners, then good works are of no moment. And more than this, if the grace of God is most clearly displayed in the salvation of the vilest of men, then the worse men are the bet”
- 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.)”
- 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 ”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship,.... Not as men only, but as Christians; not as creatures merely, but as new creatures; the work of grace upon the soul seems chiefly designed, which like a poem, as the word may be rendered, is a very curious work; the king's daughter is all glorious within, for this is an internal work, and is a good and excellent one; it is not indeed perfected at once, but is gradually carried on, till the finishing stroke is given to it by that hand which begun it; the author of it is God, it is not man's work; nor is it the work of ministers, no, no”