SANCTIFICATION
By Anita Clark
The word “Sanctification” is only used in the New Testament four times by Apostle Paul and once by the Disciple Peter. It means, “separation, consecration, setting apart and to make holy and to purify.”
In the Old Testament God called Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be the High Priest. Aaron was of the tribe of Levi, whom God had ordained to be the priests and leaders for the Tabernacle, and to be separated unto the Lord and His work- a picture of sanctification.
Two Phases of Sanctification - The first phase is God’s Provision . The second phase is The Practical Side. Jesus said in John 17:19 - “His prayer to His Father right before He went to the garden of Gethsemane with the disciples.” He prayed to His Father, “And for their sake (speaking of those who believed in Him) I sanctify myself that they might be sanctified.” Did you know you are “sanctified.” The word “sanctified” means “to be holy, purify, consecrate,” also “venerate, revere, respect, glorify and honor.” Our God “sanctifies” us.
Hebrews 10:5,9, & 10. - Verse 9-10 says, “Then said He (Jesus), Lo I come to do thy will, O God, ... By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of Jesus Christ once for all.” The word “sanctify” means -”to make holy, purify or consecrate or sanctify.” The penalty was paid by Jesus Christ’s death, so in a Spiritual sense, sanctification is provided for all who believe. We have the spiritual life of Christ in us - a new birth, born again. Hebrews 13:12 states, “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify, the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.” Romans 8:16 tells us, “The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
Reading from I Thessalonians 2:13-14, Apostle Paul wrote, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Note this: “Before the foundation of the world, we were in His plan and mind.” The word “sanctification” again means “separation, consecration and setting apart.” Verse 14 tells us, “Whereunto He called you by our gospel (Apostle Paul’s teaching) to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Benefits - of our believing = 1. Eternal salvation 2. Made new in Christ, and new life of Christ in us. 3. Set apart to God. 4. Positioned in Christ.
I Corinthians 6: 9-11 speaks from Apostle Paul concerning the “unrighteous” who shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In verse 11, he says, “And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of our God.” We find everything in Christ! I Cor. 1:30 tells us, “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification.” This word means, “purity, purifier, or holiness.”
BENEFITS of our believing - 1. Eternal salvation 2. Made new in Christ - New life in Christ 3. Set apart to God 4. Positioned in Christ.
Experimental Sanctification - Deliverance from the power of sin. Colossians 3:1-5 says “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth...;” To “mortify” our members on the earth, means “to deaden or subdue things in this life that do not exalt the Lord Jesus.” Read the rest of this chapter from the Word of God - verses 10-17.
I Thess 4:1-3, & 7 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” Vs. 3 -For this is the will of God even your sanctification...” Remember the word means, “purity, purifier, or holiness.” How can we do what God asks of us? It can’t be “self effort,” but yielding to the Holy Spirit, submitting under the Lord’s authority, casting ourselves on the Lord, not self effort or self endurance. A process is taking place daily as we yield our bodies to the Lord. Romans 6:6-14 states, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty.” II Cor. 6:17-18.
