What is "sanctification by the Spirit"?

I was originally going to do a sermon on Sanctification ─ but I decided to do one on ‘Understanding God’s Calling.’

What is “sanctification by the Spirit”?

Sadly, the common belief and teaching in this present evil age is that a person who is “sanctified” is spiritually perfect ─ that they are incapable of sinning! But, this is not the true meaning of “sanctification.”

According to Got Questions ─ I use this site because biased Google has them as the top listing 9 out of 10 times! ─ their definition is: “related to the word saint; both words have to do with holiness. … [S]anctification separate the believer from the penalty of sin (justification), the power of sin (maturity), and the presence of sin (glorification).” In essence, their definitions are basically wrong and confusing!

“Sanctification” is often called (they say glibly, I might add) an ‘experience’ or a ‘second work of grace.’ And it always must follow what is called “justification” of the person. And they further contend that this ‘experience’ removes the ‘Adamic nature’ of sin.

Is this really what God’s living word ─ the Holy Bible – teaches!?

From Unger’s Bible Dictionary –

“(Gr. hagiasmos, separation, a setting apart). The Hebrew term qädăsh, rendered sanctify, has a corresponding meaning. The dominant idea of sanctification, therefore, is separation from the secular and sinful, and setting apart for a sacred purpose.” 1

So, it truly means “to consecrate to a sacred purpose,” to “separate from this world and its sinful ways,” to “devote or dedicate yourself to the LORD God’s service.” This means that any person who is set apart for a holy use is sanctified. But, this does not mean that that person cannot sin!

Notice what God’s living word says –

“For the unbelieving husband is SANCTIFIED by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is SANCTIFIED by the husband; …” – 1 Corinthians 7:14.

So, even an unbeliever can be sanctified!

Also, notice again from God’s living word what He reveals about sanctification –

“’ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I SANCTIFIED YOU; …’” – Jeremiah 1:5.

Did you grasp this!? The prophet Jeremiah was SANCTIFIED even before he was in the womb! He was set apart for a holy use. This is what sanctification means! SET APART FOR HOLY USE.

The first epistle of the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth makes this plain –

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified [by] Christ Jesus, called to be saints, …” – 1 Corinthians 1:2.

Yet, we soon discover that a great many of our brethren there in the church of God at Corinth were puffed up, carnal, and full of sin. They had jealousy, strife, and fornication in their midst. They were often arrogant and refused to acknowledge their sins. The same as a great many professing Christians claim to be sanctified – are in fact PROUD, SINFUL, AND ARROGANT!

The LORD God FIRST sanctifies ── or sets each one apart ── by means of the Holy Spirit for holy use (and sometimes even before we are in our mother's womb). The LORD God separates us out of this present evil world and into the Body of Christ. And we then begin to develop godly character. The LORD God separates us ── sanctifies us ── from this secular and sinful world.

Recall – “ … ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” – Revelation 18:4.

But, this DOES NOT mean that we suddenly become “perfect.”

If – after we have been sanctified by the LORD God, we continue to OVERCOME the pull of sin in our flesh and in our human nature and continue to be faithful to the LORD God – even unto death, the LORD God will grant us ETERNAL LIFE in a world where the hearts of the fathers and the hearts of the children have been changed. Truly, not until the glorious resurrection ── when we are born again as Spirit children of Father God, and Spirit brothers and sisters to our Lord Jesus ── will we be completely without sin.

Let us be reminded of our beloved Apostle Paul’s personal reflection –

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) NOTHING good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19) For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” – Romans 7:18-19.

Yet, like all of us, brethren, he was sanctified. He was set apart for a holy use.

“Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 24) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25) I thank God ── [who will deliver me] through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Romans 7:20, 24-25.

This deliverance we will all receive upon the glorious and powerful return of our Lord Jesus at the blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMP! □

Sources:

1) Unger"s.Bible.Dictionary. Unger F. Merrill. Moody Press, 1966, “Sanctification” pg. 965.