“The New Creation” Day 14: The truth about sanctification.
Last time, we offered this in terms of a practical definition of sanctification:
“Everything we need to become like Jesus has already been given us through the Holy Spirit. However, we obviously don’t access all of those things at one time. The process through which we become more and more like Jesus, by accessing more and more of all the Holy Spirit has for us, is called “sanctification.””
Before going further into our examination of sanctification, we should address the fact that there is some disagreement among different Christian groups, in terms of whether sanctification is a one-time work, requiring no effort from the believer, or an ongoing work, in which the believer is being sanctified incrementally and in response to the believer seeking after the things of God.
Indeed, we believe that scripture supports a definition incorporating both of these elements, not in contrast to one another, but actually working together.
To illustrate our point, let’s take the example of the Apostle Paul.
First, in explaining his transformation from being someone who persecuted the church, to someone who was bringing the gospel to the Gentiles, Paul said this:
“And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;”
Galatians 1:14-16 ESV
Here, Paul clearly expresses that his being set apart for the work of the Lord, that is, his sanctification for the same, happened before he was even born. Now, obviously, something that happens before a person is born, requires no action on their part.
Now, consider what Paul says elsewhere, alluding to becoming more and more like Jesus through a process:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV
Here, we see described a transformation that is an ongoing process. Of course, this process still comes by way of the Spirit. But with that, the believer’s part is to be actively beholding His glory. We do this by meditation on His word and an active relationship with Him through prayer and Holy living.
“Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts and passions. Do not go on offering members of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness. But offer yourselves to God [in a decisive act] as those alive [raised] from the dead [to a new life], and your members [all of your abilities—sanctified, set apart] as instruments of righteousness [yielded] to God. But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life.”
Romans 6:11-13, 22 AMP
Child of God, remember, it is God’s will that we be set apart from sin, to follow Him completely.
“For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane], not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will;”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 AMP
Yet, we clearly see that the believer is instructed to, “abstain and back away from sexual immorality,” and that, “each of you know how to control his own body in holiness.” Obviously, these are action items for the believer.
Indeed, the Lord predestined us to be formed into the image of His Son!
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers.”
Romans 8:28-29 AMP
As long as we keep our eyes and hearts on Him, the Lord will—by His Holy Spirit—see us all the way through our personal sanctification journeys, so that when we see Him, we will be like Him!
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
1 John 3:1-3 ESV