The subject of sanctification is one that has generated quite a bit of controversy in the ranks of those that call themselves followers of the Church of God. The purpose of this article is not to add flames to the controversy. This writer will only attempt to explain the teaching of sanctification as he believes the Bible teaches it.

Traditionally, the Church of God taught that sanctification is the results of a second work of grace that one receives subsequent to salvation. Sanctification and being filled with the Holy Spirit is taught as the same event. Furthermore, some very good brothers believe that sin comes in two forms. The forms are inherited sin and committed sins. One can ask for forgiveness for committed sins, but it will take an act of God to remove inherited sin hence, the need for a second work of grace. The first work of grace justifies a new believer when he asks God for forgiveness from his committed sins. The second work cleanses the believer from inherited sin and occurs subsequent to justification after the believer has surrendered himself completely to God. This writer does not believe the Bible supports this.

In the Bible one can find evidence of sanctified things, like the altar and other items of worship. There are sanctified people, sanctified human flesh; sanctified unbelieving spouses, and sanctified food in the Bible (Exodus 29:36; Leviticus 8:11; Matthew 23:17,19; 1 Timothy 4:5; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Hebrew 9:13). This lets the Bible student know that the word sanctified is not tied to a second definite work of the Holy Spirit that removes inherited sin. Yet, these examples are not inconsistent with the use of sanctification when it describes the work of sanctification in the lives of the children of God.

1 Corinthians 1:2 describes the saints living at Corinth as sanctified saints. Later, the inspired writer calls these saints babes in Christ and described them as carnal. This lets us know that all believers are sanctified. Yet we know that sin was clearly working in the lives of these people. Sanctification was definitely not being used in this verse to describe a higher spirituality in the Corinthians. The Greek word that is translated saints carries the meaning of the sanctified or the holy ones. This gives more weight to the fact that sanctified people are not exclusively a set of people of have achieved a higher level of spirituality over "normal" believers. So sainthood or sanctification is not the attainment or a static goal, but a state of grace in which God through the Holy Spirit bring sinners into salvation and perfect them in salvation after they become saved.

The Bible teaches that God uses sanctification of the Spirit to bring people to salvation. This thought is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and 1 Peter 1:2. These scriptures clearly teach that sanctification starts before one actually receives salvation. It is this sanctification that makes justification possible. Paul writing to the Church at Corinth admonishes the saints to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit and perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Considering that this is the congregation in which Paul testified that they were sanctified in Christ Jesus, we find him here encouraging them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit. This lets us know that Paul did not believe that sanctification was a one-time experience that held a saint until the judgment. Instead sanctification is a process in which a child of God surrenders himself to the will of God every time he is tempted to disobey and walk after the flesh. If the Child of God does not surrender to the flesh and follow it dictates, then one maintains his sanctification and grows in the LORD. This thought is found in the concepts found in Romans 12:1 in which the inspired writer encourages the saints to present themselves to God as a living sacrifice. That they do not conform themselves to this world, but that they should transform their minds by renewing it so they can prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. The thought is also conveyed in Romans 6:13 where the saints are encouraged not to yield their members to sin, but to yield their members to God and to righteousness. As long as the saints do this successfully, they will maintain their sanctification, their justification, and a reward that will make them bold in the day of Christ.

The subject on sanctification is a subject that requires much study. Hopefully the little stated here will inspire some to take a closer look at the subject.

Return to the Top