Definitive Sanctification

1 Corinthians 6:1–11 NKJV

1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 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.

Today we will find that one of the ways God want us to deal with difficult people is by realizing that we are definitively sanctified.

Definitive sanctification is a once for all act where the Spirit separates believers from the dominion of sin and consecrates them to God by union with Christ.

For just a bit, I want to answer three questions about this doctrine to help us understand it better.

First, when do we become definitively sanctified?

It is a decisive act that happens when we are converted. 1 Cor. 6:11, Hebrews 10:10.

1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV

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.

Hebrews 10:10 NKJV

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

Second, how is this accomplished?

It is a work of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Cor. 6:11.

1 Peter 1:2 NKJV

2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV

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.

Finally, what is the basis?

As we just saw, this is trinitarian in nature and includes the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Most clearly, the Father has chosen to set us aside for His purpose, through uniting us to the Son, by the work of the Spirit. So, you who used to be used as instruments for evil, have been specially set aside for holy use. It is rooted in our union with Christ. 1 Cor. 6:11, Romans 6

1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV

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.

Romans 6:4–9 NKJV

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Now that we understand what this doctrine is, we can zoom out of verse 11 in 1 Cor. 6 and ask, “How does this help us deal with difficult people in the Church?” Well, when dealing with difficult people, we must remember:

Our Identity before we engage.

In 1 Corinthians 6:11, Paul reminds believers they are “sanctified,” no longer bound by their past (vv. 9-10). This identity equips them to act with godly wisdom, as those destined to judge angels (v. 3). In essence, Paul is writing to an argumentative group and reminds them that they don’t need to take things before Pagan courts, but that they should be able to handle this among themselves. Why? Two reasons, first, he wants them to know of their future because they’re going to judge angels. It’s like he’s saying, “You’re going to judge angels, and you can’t judge how to deal with these minor kerfuffles?” Second, he reminds those who are doing wrong to others to live out the fact that they’re definitively sanctified. That they’re set apart from sin and to the service of God.

So, how do we apply this to us? Well, when we deal with difficult people, we should remember to:

Reflect Before Acting: When a conflict arises, pause to pray, recalling you’re set apart for God’s purposes. Ask, “How can my response honor my identity in Christ?”

Lead with Integrity: In a heated debate, model calm, principled thinking, showing you’re guided by your sanctified status, not sinful ego.

Another Thing we Learn Here is to:

Seek to resolve with wisdom.

Paul urges the Corinthians to settle disputes internally (vv. 1-6), as their sanctification equips them with the Spirit’s wisdom. Romans 6:4 reinforces this, calling believers to “walk in newness of life.”

Follow Biblical Protocol: If a friend in your Bible study group offends you, address it one-on-one (Matthew 18:15) rather than gossiping.

Seek Trusted Mentors: In a disagreement that you two can’t reconcile, consult a pastor or mentor for mediation and keep the issue within the body of Christ. We don’t need Christians tearing down other Christians in front of non-believers.

Finally, pursue unity through sacrificial love.

Paul suggests it’s better to be wronged than to damage the church’s witness (vv. 7-8), a mindset rooted in definitive sanctification’s freedom from sin’s selfishness (Romans 6:6). You don’t have to win every argument that comes your way. The doctrine that Paul teaches us today is supposed to influence and empower us to choose unity over personal victory and to reflect Christ’s sacrificial love. Now, this doesn’t mean that we don’t defend the truth, but that we use wisdom to know what truth’s are worth fighting for.

Choose Humility: In a theological disagreement (e.g., over predestination in a young adult group), listen actively and concede minor points to preserve unity, trusting the Spirit’s work in you.

Absorb Offenses: If a friend’s comment stings, forgive without demanding an apology, showing the selflessness of your sanctified calling.