Sanctified

Introduction

There are a lot of discussion going on in the world about sanctification. First of all, what is sanctification. Sanctification is a synonym for holiness, or to be holy.

If you are confused on what holiness is. Holiness is actually about reserving something. Holiness is when you set apart something or reserve it. Sanctification may sound like a very big theological word, but it just means that God set apart something for a specific purpose.

John 17:19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” . It was not like Jesus lacked any holiness or sanctification, but rather he was set apart for a purpose. Even in Isaiah 6:3 “And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”” when the angels call God Holy, the angels are declaring that God is completely set apart and distinct from anything and anyone else. God is perfect in His nature, character, and actions. He is completely pure, righteous, and without sin. His holiness is beyond our comprehension and sets Him apart as the one true God.

Am I doing okay?

This is the perennial question that is in the heart of most Christians. We received Christ, we decided that Jesus Christ has taken away our sins, we decided that we get to be with Him forever, and yet there is still a hole or a question in our minds asking us am I really okay with Him? We might have our eternal destiny locked in, but we may not be sure if God is happy or pleased with you? With our emotions running in and out of ourselves, it is a valid question.

Then the theologians come along with the idea that we are justified, but we are being progressively sanctified.

Biblical view

We have been sanctified (set apart).

Our behaviour is being set apart

We are not defined by our behaviour.

It is true that we have been sanctified according to these verses

1 Corinthians 6:11 NASB 95

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 10:10 NASB 95

By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB 95

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

We have all been tempted, we have committed many many sins. So how does this idea of sanctification really fit in with my behaviour. Our behaviour is being set apart, and we have a role to play in this.

If we teach someone that they are not completely holy, they will live a life of unrighteousness. However, if we teach someone that once they believe they are holy, upright and blameless to the core, they will be very interested in upright living.