Christ First Forum

The meaning of Sanctification.

1. Sanctification is done by the work of the Holy Spirit. The basic meaning of sanctification is separation. Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly.

The believer has been set apart by God for the Lord to use as He desires.
The bible meaning of sanctification is to be set apart 1. By God 2. For God. 3. From sin. 4 As a slave to righteousness and no longer a slave to sin.

Again, Let me emphasises the Author of sanctification.It is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All three according to scripture plays a significant part in our sanctification according to their purpose.

The means of our sanctification!

1.Sanctification by the word. John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

2.Sanctification by the blood. Hebrews 13:12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

3.Sanctification through chastisement. Hebrews 12:10-11 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

4.Sanctification by being obedient to God. Romans 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

5.Sanctification on our part. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

One of the biggest confusions about sanctification is the time of it.

When is the time of our sanctification?

1. Instantaneous at our conversion or at the moment we become born again! 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. John 3:3

2. There is a thing called progressive sanctification! James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The Holy Spirit is constantly reminding us of sin and our life and through His word and the convicting power we make confession of pour sins so that we will be more Christlike.

3. Sanctification becomes Complete and final.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. One day we will be completed, holy, mature and perfect. This wonderful experience will be ours when Christ comes and our bodies have put on immortality and incorruptible. We shall be like Him 1 John 3:2. Paul said in philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Now lets look at the results of sanctification

1. Perfection through Christ. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

2. The Fruit of Holiness. Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

How can one retain a sanctified Walk?

1.Live a life of obedience to the light given to you by the Holy Spirit.
2. If you fail and we will, Immediately confess it to God. 1 John 1:9
3. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
4. Be faithful in reading your bible, prying, witnessing, living and serving others.