INTRODUCTION
This is a totally vital problem, for Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"
Our nature changes in regeneration. Our reputation changes in justification. Our characteristic changes in adoption. our behavior as man or woman changes in sanctification
So sanctification shows the fruit of a justified lifestyles: we need to be sanctified for our Savior was sanctified:
- Through His Father, John 10:36, "Say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified ...
- Through Himself, John 17:l9, "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself."
- By His human beings, 1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts".
Sanctification is what God Almighty wants from every believer, I Thess. 4:3, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification'" The problem of holiness and sanctification is noted 1066 times within the Bible.
MEANING OF SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is the artwork of the Holy Spirit: Sanctification and Holiness are the same in essence. The essential meaning of sanctification is separation. Psa. 4:3, "But apprehend that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself. Believers were set apart through God Almighty for Himself to use as He desires.
The Bible meaning of sanctification is to be set apart
(1) through God Almighty
(2) for God Almighty Himself (3) from sin
(4) unto a holy lifestyles, Heb. 12:14.
II Tim. 2:21 says, "If someone therefore purge himself from those things, he could be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good pinnacle artwork."
The Bible speaks of sanctifying the Tabernacle and its contents: men, buildings, fields, firstborn, temple, clergymen and a nation—Exo. 40:9-11; Lev. 27:14-16: Num. 8:17.
However, for believers, it carries a twofold meaning:
Separation from evil (2 Chron. 29:5, 15-18), and
Separation unto God (Lev. 27:16).
I I. THE AUTHOR OF SANCTIFICATION (the Trinity):
1. through God Almighty, the Father.
I Thess. 5:23,24, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God that your entire spirit and soul and body be preserved harmless unto the upcoming of our Lord Jesus Christ".
2. Through God the Son, Jesus Christ:
Eph. 5:26, "That He (Christ) might likely sanctify and cleanse it (the Church of which believers are a element) with the showering of water through the Word.
3. Through God the Holy Spirit.
II Thess. 2:13, ". . . because of the truth God hath from the begin decided on you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit".
Holiness is not an achievement to be accomplished, but a gift to be accepted (Dr Griffith Thomas said).
The normal use of this gift will boom our sanctification
III. THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION
How are we sanctified?
By the Word of God. John 17:17, "Sanctify them (the believers) via Thy Word." To be sanctified spend a good and Quality time with the Word of God; it purifies and cleanses. It is the Word that makes sin famous, obvious inside the New Testament, there are 21 different lists of sins with a total of 202 sins of which 103 are not identical.
2. By Blood:
Heb. 13:12, "Wherefore Jesus also, that He might likely sanctify the people with His very personal Blood, suffered without the gate."
His Word famous the sin;
the Blood cleanses it away; Result is sanctification.
3. By chastisement:
Heb. 12:10, 11, "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their very personal pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness . . ., afterward it yieldeth the non- violent fruit of righteousness."
4. By yielding to God:
Rom. 6:19, iniquity unto iniquity; alternatively now yield yourselves servants to righteousness and unto holiness." (holiness—sanctification).
5. By ourselves:
II Cor. 7:1, "Having therefore the ones promises, dearly beloved, permit us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness to the fear of God. We, too, have a detail in sanctification; our detail is seeking out the sin: judging it; casting it away; praying for cleansing; praying for strength to live a holy life.
Daily we need to appropriate Christ as our sanctification; each day we need to claim His holiness, His faith, His love and His grace.
The thriller of a holy life is the non - prevent appropriation of the Savior’s holy life.
Our degree of sanctification is as regards to our appropriation of the Lord.
IV. TIME OF OUR SANCTIFICATION
There are outstanding diversities of opinion here. Some say that it changed into completed the immediately we believed, being synonymous with conversion.
Others stress the need of a second artwork of grace; an enjoy quite reduce free conversion; some address it as a catastrophe enjoy that eradicates the vintage nature. Others train that sanctification is every immediate and modern.
Personally, I believe from a thorough research of the Scripture, that a combination of those ideas is actual:
1 immediately with sanctification. I Cor. 6:11, "But such have been some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified withinside the decision of the Lord," It speaks of sanctification as a past enjoy with washing and justification,
- Progressive sanctification. Jas 1:22-25, is the example of someone looking proper right into a mirror and seeing an opening of dirt, goes and washes it away.
The mirror is the Word of God which exhibits sin and then we need to confess it. The Holy Spirit does now not reveal all of our unchristian- likeness at one time, that might be too discouraging and should reason despair.
3. Complete and final:
I Thess. 5:23, ". . . sanctify you wholly . , . unto the imminent of our Lord Jesus Christ." Completely holy in every part of the body, soul, and spirit.
Some day we're capable of be in reality holy without one grace missing; mature and satisfactory This excellent enjoy is probably ours at the same time as Christ comes and our bodies are changed. Then we can be like Him, I John 3:2, satisfactory and holy! O great day!
In Philippians 3:12-14, changed into pressing on unto that, future perfection, whilst each day perfecting his earthly modern sanctification.
V. THE PURPOSE OF OUR SANCTIFICATION
According to John 17 -.39, "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified." If Jesus Christ underwent the process of sanctification, then it is my earnest desire to follow in His footsteps and be sanctified as well. Do we not aspire for the holy Son of God to become even more holier? A plausible solution can be found in Rom.15:3, where it states "For even Christ did not please Himself." This message is always crucial and holds true for any situation that arises. As disciples, it is incumbent upon us to strive continually towards becoming more like Him - ever pressing on and upward towards this goal.
VI. THE OUTCOME OF SANCTIFICATION
Attainment of Perfection through Christ - Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
The Yield of Holiness:
Romans 6:22 reads, "But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness." Do you yearn for holiness in your soul? For sanctification? For purity? For Christian character? To conform more closely to the image of God's Son? Acknowledge your sins; confess your need to Him and He will fulfill the personal desires of your soul; it is necessary to be willing to deal with sin and impurity.
VII. HOW TO RETAIN A SANCTIFIED WALK
Live a life of implicit obedience to the Light given to you via the Holy Ghost. If you fail, without delay confess it to God and He will straight away restore you. Resist the devil and he is going to escape from you, Jas. 4:7.
Be dedicated in regular seasons of Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and living for others.
CONCLUSION.
The process of sanctification ensures that we will receive an inheritance beyond the grave.
As stated in Acts 26:18, its purpose is to "open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified." Therefore, do not focus on your present circumstances and become discouraged. Instead, lift up your gaze towards heaven and be encouraged by the promise found in I Thessalonians 5:24 which declares that "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."