Sanctifying Time through Divine Sovereignty in Theology
Sanctification, in a theological sense, refers to the process by which God sets apart and purifies individuals and things for His service [1]. This concept is deeply intertwined with the divine sovereignty of God, who alone has the prerogative to make something holy [7].
The Bible indicates that sanctification is a work of God, effected by Him [1], and specifically by Christ [1] and the Holy Spirit [1, 5]. It is described as a separation to God's service [1] and involves the Holy Spirit bringing the entire human nature under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [5]. This process extends to the whole person [5].
God's sovereignty is His absolute right to act according to His own good pleasure [6]. This divine prerogative is evident in His ability to sanctify. For instance, in Leviticus, God declares, "I am the LORD who sanctifies them" [4]. The Nonconformist/Puritan commentary on Leviticus 23:1 emphasizes that only God's appointment can make time holy, as He is the Lord of time [7]. This highlights that holiness is not inherent in creation but is conferred by divine institution [7].
The means through which sanctification occurs also point to God's sovereign action. It is achieved through the atonement of Christ [1] and through the Word of God [1, 2, 3]. The apostle Paul states that "it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:5) [3]. John Calvin, in his commentary on 1 Timothy, explains that the sanctification of all good things for sustenance consists of "the word of God and prayer" [11]. This implies that even everyday elements are made holy through divine declaration and human petition, acknowledging God's authority.
Furthermore, God's sovereignty is seen in His appointment of specific times and seasons. The Tyndale House commentary on Daniel 12:7 notes that "God appoints times for all things as he rules the flow of earthly and heavenly events" [10]. This divine ordering of time allows for moments of sanctification, such as the Sabbath, which Calvin describes as a "symbol of sanctification" given to ancient Israel, signifying that God had set them apart as a holy people [9]. The concept of "redeeming the time" (Ephesians 5:16) also suggests a sovereign ordering of opportunities, where believers are encouraged to "buy up for yourselves the seasonable time" for good works, recognizing these as divinely afforded opportunities [8].
Sources
- 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 (YLT) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.”
- 1 Timothy “For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. -- 1 Timothy 4:5”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 22:16 (BSB) — by allowing the people to eat the sacred offerings and thus to bear the punishment for guilt. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.””
- 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: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- Leviticus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Leviticus 23:1: Here is, I. A general account of the holy times which God appointed (Lev 23:2), and it is only his appointment that can make time holy; for he is the Lord of time, and as soon as ever he had set its wheels a-going it was he that sanctified and blessed one day above the rest, Gen 2:3. Man may by his appointment make a good day (Est 9:19), but it is God's prerogative to make a holy day; nor is any thing sanctified but by the stamp of his institution. As all inherent holiness comes from his special grace, so all adherent holiness from his special appointment. Now,”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:16: Redeeming the time-- (Col 4:5). Greek, "Buying up for yourselves the seasonable time" (whenever it occurs) of good to yourselves and to others. Buying off from the vanities of "them that are without" (Col 4:5), and of the "unwise" (here in Ephesians), the opportune time afforded to you for the work of God. In a narrower sense, special favorable seasons for good, occasionally presenting themselves, are referred to, of which believers ought diligently to avail themselves. This constitutes true "wisdom" (Eph 5:15). In a larger sense, the whole season f”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 6.8: Christ. Therefore the Lord the more frequently testifies that he had given, in the Sabbath, a symbol of sanctification to his ancient people. 106 106 “ Sanctificationis symbolum .” — “A symbol or sign of santification;” that is, a sign that God had set them apart as a holy and peculiar people to himself. “Moreover, also, I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Ezekiel 20:12 . — Ed . Therefore when we hear that the Sabbath was abrogated by the coming of ”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 12:7: 12:7 time, times, and half a time: God appoints times for all things as he rules the flow of earthly and heavenly events (see study note on 7:24-25). • The shattering of the holy people was part of God’s purpose to purify them (12:10).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 16.10: to us; for we must always look at the appointment of God, both what he commands and what he forbids. 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer This is the confirmation of the preceding clause, if it be received with Thanksgiving . And it is an argument drawn from contrast; for “holy” and “profane” are things contrary to each other. Let us now see what is the sanctification of all good things, which belong to the sustenance of the present life. Paul testifies that it consists of “the word of God and prayer.” But it ou”