“Being set apart, made holy for God’s use and purpose.”
The New Testament teaches us that the covenant of God with man is established through Jesus Christ. However, the requirement for holiness and sanctification first commanded in the Old Testament {Leviticus 11:45} did not change. Through the work of Jesus Christ, the believer is sanctified, however, sanctification must be demonstrated through separation from the world and resisting the ungodly desires of the “old man” – us before salvation!
The believer’s sanctification is a result of “the Word”, “the Blood of Jesus Christ”, and the “Holy Spirit.”
We have already stated that sanctification is being set apart and made holy for God’s use and purpose. This speaks directly to the believer’s activities. So, the sanctifying work of “the Word”, the “Blood of Jesus Christ”, and the “Holy Spirit” should produce this in the believer - sanctification.
"The Word" sanctifies the believers as they receive it and apply it to their lives. The believer is sanctified through receiving the Word. This is what is meant by Jesus Christ’s words: “now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” {John 15:3}
"The Blood of Jesus Christ" ceremonially (outwardly) and spiritually (inwardly) sanctifies the believer. The Blood of Jesus Christ sanctifies the believer by delivering their conscience from dead works so that they can serve the Lord with their whole mind, heart, and soul.
“Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Jesus Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Jesus Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”
The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers by baptizing them into Jesus Christ’s body, thus signifying their separation from the world and new life in Him (Jesus Christ).
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” {1 Corinthians 12:13}
The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers by giving them an inward conviction of what is right and wrong; enabling the believer to live a separated life through the knowledge of God.
The Holy Spirit aids in the believer’s sanctification by causing the believer to have a desire to do what is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit aids believers in their resolve to be holy and separated unto God. This is demonstrated in Paul’s statement to the Philippians: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” {Philippians 2:13}
Here's God's Word concerning our sanctification:
Hebrews 13:12:
“Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.”
1 Corinthians 1:30:
"Jesus... was made to us wisdom from God, and justification, and sanctification, and redemption.“
1 Thessalonians 4:3:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification;…”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13:
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth..”
John 17:14-19:
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.”
The believer experiences 3 dimensions of sanctification:
1) Positional sanctification: Our position before God has been changed forever. No longer dead in trespasses and sin, we are made alive together with Jesus Christ {Ephesians 2:5}. Our position changes in that we are made citizens of a whole new kingdom: “God – He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the dear Son He loves.” {Colossians 1:13}
2) Experiential (progressive) sanctification:
Is an ongoing, lifelong maturing process (spiritual maturity) in which the believer becomes more and more like Jesus Christ; conformed to the image of Jesus Christ; the result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in producing godliness in the life of the believer. The believer’s progress of sanctification, or spiritual maturity, is marked by conflict because our new life in Jesus Christ is in opposition to the world system, opposed by Satan – the devil, and at war with our “old mindset” – the flesh.
3) Complete (ultimate) sanctification:
The final stage of the believer’s sanctification is the future glorification of the believer. It is realized at the resurrection when the believer will be given a glorified body {1 Corinthians 15:42-53} and presented to God the Father as holy.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is both the promise of and the agency for this future glorification, which includes:
Sanctification or holiness is what makes us saints (a term for believers used in scripture); God’s holy or sanctified people. Saints, enjoy purification from evil, separateness (not isolation) from the world, fellowship with other saints, and wisdom from God. We enjoy this sanctification from the moment we become believers.
“Sanctified” is not a denominational persuasion or group of people. To be sanctified involves the process whereby the believer puts on the “new man” and puts off the “old man” (old ways and habits). The apostle Paul admonishes the church at Ephesus to “put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. {Ephesians 4:24}
The New Testament teaches us that the covenant of God with man is established through Jesus Christ. However, the requirement for holiness and sanctification first commanded in the Old Testament {Leviticus 11:45} did not change. Through the work of Jesus Christ, the believer is sanctified, however, sanctification must be demonstrated through separation from the world and resisting the ungodly desires of the “old man” – us before salvation!
The believer’s sanctification is a result of “the Word”, “the Blood of Jesus Christ”, and the “Holy Spirit.”
We have already stated that sanctification is being set apart and made holy for God’s use and purpose. This speaks directly to the believer’s activities. So, the sanctifying work of “the Word”, the “Blood of Jesus Christ”, and the “Holy Spirit” should produce this in the believer - sanctification.
"The Word" sanctifies the believers as they receive it and apply it to their lives. The believer is sanctified through receiving the Word. This is what is meant by Jesus Christ’s words: “now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” {John 15:3}
"The Blood of Jesus Christ" ceremonially (outwardly) and spiritually (inwardly) sanctifies the believer. The Blood of Jesus Christ sanctifies the believer by delivering their conscience from dead works so that they can serve the Lord with their whole mind, heart, and soul.
“Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Jesus Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Jesus Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”
{Hebrews 9:13-14}
The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers by baptizing them into Jesus Christ’s body, thus signifying their separation from the world and new life in Him (Jesus Christ).
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” {1 Corinthians 12:13}
The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers by giving them an inward conviction of what is right and wrong; enabling the believer to live a separated life through the knowledge of God.
The Holy Spirit aids in the believer’s sanctification by causing the believer to have a desire to do what is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit aids believers in their resolve to be holy and separated unto God. This is demonstrated in Paul’s statement to the Philippians: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” {Philippians 2:13}
Here's God's Word concerning our sanctification:
Hebrews 13:12:
“Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.”
1 Corinthians 1:30:
"Jesus... was made to us wisdom from God, and justification, and sanctification, and redemption.“
1 Thessalonians 4:3:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification;…”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13:
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth..”
John 17:14-19:
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.”
The believer experiences 3 dimensions of sanctification:
1) Positional sanctification: Our position before God has been changed forever. No longer dead in trespasses and sin, we are made alive together with Jesus Christ {Ephesians 2:5}. Our position changes in that we are made citizens of a whole new kingdom: “God – He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the dear Son He loves.” {Colossians 1:13}
2) Experiential (progressive) sanctification:
Is an ongoing, lifelong maturing process (spiritual maturity) in which the believer becomes more and more like Jesus Christ; conformed to the image of Jesus Christ; the result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in producing godliness in the life of the believer. The believer’s progress of sanctification, or spiritual maturity, is marked by conflict because our new life in Jesus Christ is in opposition to the world system, opposed by Satan – the devil, and at war with our “old mindset” – the flesh.
3) Complete (ultimate) sanctification:
The final stage of the believer’s sanctification is the future glorification of the believer. It is realized at the resurrection when the believer will be given a glorified body {1 Corinthians 15:42-53} and presented to God the Father as holy.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is both the promise of and the agency for this future glorification, which includes:
a) the redemption of the body
b) an inheritance undefiled and eternal
c) deliverance from the future wrath of God
The believer’s “Justification” delivers them from the penalty of sin.
The believer's “Sanctification” delivers them from the power of sin.
The believer’s “Glorification” will deliver them from the presence of sin.
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