TCH MINI-STUDY 62
SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT
By John C. Carpenter
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to the
strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1
Peter 1:1-5). What is sanctification?
In verse 2 above, the word sanctification is translated from the Greek word hagiasmos,
which means purification, separation unto God, the state of purity, a purifier, to set apart, holiness, to make holy, or consecrate
to. Unger's Bible Dictionary defines sanctification as separation from the secular and sinful, and setting apart for a sacred purpose.Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology defines sanctification as a progresive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from
sin and more like Christ in our actual lives. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines sanctification as the state of growing in
divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion. Most view sanctification as a inward work of the Holy
Spirit, which shows itself outwardly. In one sense, sanctification methodically changes internally who and what we are, and in doing
so changes the way we externally behave and live.
PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION
Bible scholars generally recognize three types
of sanctification: progressive, positional, and ultimate. The first type of sanctification is described as progressive, and is the
only one of the three types which we will discuss here. Progressive sanctification is not thought of as a single event in time, but
a day-by-day, progressive, lifelong process in which the believer in Christ works with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the objective
of becoming more and more Christlike. Progressive sanctification involves the exercise of spiritual disciplines, using judgment and
self-control in our daily choices, and cooperation with the Holy Spirit resulting in gradual transformation and conformity to the
image of Jesus Christ. Broadly speaking, progressive sanctification pertains to how we think and behave towards God and our fellow
man. It can also be thought of as the believer's daily striving, with God's help and guidance, to behave in ways that are pleasing
to God.
BE YE TRANSFORMED
First, bible scholars teach that progressive sanctification involves transformation, that is,
change from one state to another. If the believer is not being transformed, he or she is not becoming more and more sanctified. For
example, Paul teaches us, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed [Greek, suschematizo, to fashion alike, be in the
same condition, or conform to the same pattern] to this world: but be ye transformed [Greek, matamorphoo, to transform literally or
figuratively, to metamorphose, change, or transfigure] by the renewing [renovation] of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think
of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans
12:1-3). With Paul's definition, the believer is to become less like the world, and more like Christ.
A clear biblical example
of transformation can be found in the epistle of the apostle Peter. Peter wrote, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope
to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves
according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy [Greek, hagios, be sacred,
physically pure, morally blameless or religious, to be ceremonially consecrated, or to be saintly] in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). Again, the believer in Christ is to function not according to
our former worldly lusts, but according to God The Father's new standards of sanctification and holiness. Peter summarizes, be ye
holy.
Paul clearly understood the necessity of and the process of transformation when he instructed the church in Colossae toput on the new man [Greek, neos, youthful, fresh, regenerated], which is renewed [Greek, anakainoo, to renovate, or to make fresh]in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Colossians 3:10). Paul teaches here that the believer is to be transformed into
the image of God and Christ, who created him.
CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN
The scriptures also teach that sanctification also
involves a cleansing process. The believer in Christ is cleansed from their old, sinful ways and behavior. For example, after his
sin with Bathsheba, David not only felt tremendous guilt, but clearly had a great need for cleansing and restoration of his relationship
with God. David prayed to God, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender
mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified
when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold,
thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall
be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (Psalms
51:1-10). David desired to be washed, cleansed, renewed, and purged, all a reflection of God's sanctification process.
John,
the evangelist, also referred to the believer's need for confession, forgiveness, and cleansing when he wrote, This then is the message
which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship
with him, and walk in darkness [hidden, deception], we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light [truth, revelation],
as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we
say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrigteousness (1 John 1:5-9). To walk in the light, or truth, refers to our need for truthful
recognition and confession of our sins, a confession which results in God's forgiveness and cleansing.
YE OUGHT TO WALK AND TO
PLEASE GOD
Progressive sanctification involves walking, or living, more and more in ways that are pleasing to God the Father.
One tremendous example of progressive sanctification can be found in Pauls first letter to the church in Thessalonica. Paul taught,Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and
to please God, so ye would abound [Greek, perisseuo, to superabound in quantity or quality, be in excess, superfluous, to excel, have
abundance, exceed, or remain over and above] more and more [Greek, mallon, more in a greater degree]. For ye know what commandments
we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: Thatevery one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour (1 Thessalonians 4:1-4). Paul then added these
further behavioral instructions, But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of
God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that
ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded
you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12).
Paul
also referenced the ongoing sanctifying process of the Spirit when he wrote to the Corinthian church that Christ died for all, that
they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth
know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Thereforeif any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:15-17).
As
a last reference, God the Father, through the ministry of Christ, is the believer's sanctifier - may the very God of peace sanctify
you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful
is he that calleth you, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Thanks to God the Father's work of sanctification of the believer
- we have borne the image of the earthy, [but] we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:49).
SANCTIFICATION
IS A PROGRESSIVE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
As mentioned in the subject verses, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, taught that the
process of sanctification is performed by the Holy Spirit, resulting in obedience to Christ. He wrote the strangers scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of
the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied (1 Peter 1:1-2).
SAVED
AND GLORIFIED
The difficulties and struggles of the sanctification proess may cause us to ask the question, is it really worth
it? Progressive sanctification, that is, becoming more and more Christlike, is, by its nature, long lasting, difficult, fatiguing,
and painful. Death to self, and sanctifying obedience to Christ and His will is never easy. But, we must remember that sanctification
bears fruit, that is, very good fruit, in two ways: it leads to salvation and results in eventual and eternal glorification of the
believer. The apostle Paul testifies, 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 [of the gospel message]: Whereunto
he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
Paul also reminds
us, we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son [that is, sanctified], that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified [and
sanctified]: and whom he justified [made right, innocent, and holy], them he also glorified [Greek, doxazo, to render or esteem glorious,
make glorious, to honour, or to magnify] (Romans 8:28-30). AMEN.
Note: For a more detailed study of sanctification,
read the TCH Bible Study article entitled Sanctification Of The Spirit.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven,
and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread
to the eater: So shall my word [Hebrew, dabar; the speaking, movement, and operation of the Holy Spirit, not the bible] be that goeth
forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto
I sent it
(Isaiah 55:8-11).
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which
ye have learned; and
avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words
and fair speeches deceive
the hearts
of the simple
(Romans 16:17-18).
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not,
stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,
which he will shew to you to day:
for the
Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall
see them again no more for ever. The LORD
shall fight for you, and ye shall hold
your
peace.
(Exodus 14:13-14)
(Exodus 14:13-14)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;
yea, I will help thee; yea, I will
uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that
were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and
confounded:
they shall be as nothing; and they that
strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them,
and shalt not find them, even them that
contended
with thee: they that war against thee shall be as
nothing, and as a thing of nought. For
I the LORD thy God will hold thy right
hand,
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee
(Isaiah 41:10-13).
"How much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your
conscience
from
dead works to serve
the living God?
(Hebrews 9:14)