SANCTIFICATION
AND HOLINESS
 |
| Sanctification is A Second Definite Work of Grace |
Under
“justification” we saw that one is freed from guilt, and his sins are forgiven.
Justification is “by faith” on man’s part; then it is “by the blood” on
Christ’s part. (See Romans 5:1 and 9.) This is the state of a justified,
born-again believer as long as he is obedient to the One who saved him. But
even though his past sins are forgiven “by faith in His blood” and the
imputation of God’s righteousness (Rom. 3:25), yet the Adamic nature with its
inherited sin remains. This nature will cause the saved person trouble; but God
has made provision for this also by way of a second definite work of grace. A hymn sung in church expresses this truth in the first verse of Rock of Ages this way "Let the water and the blood be of SIN the double cure, save from wrath (justification) and make me pure (sanctification). One preacher said : “In order to obtain this experience, the believer puts
himself at once, or by one act of faith, into the cleansing stream [Christ’s
blood] and is immediately made clean. He then continues in that stream, or
continues faithful, and is kept clean. Purity is retained on the same condition
that it is obtained; and to keep under the cleansing wave is to be faithful to
the conditions of purity.”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin (justification),
AND to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness (sanctification)” (1 John 1:9).
1
Corinthians 1:30, 31
30
But of him [God] ale ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the
Lord.
12
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own
blood,
suffered without the gate.
13
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
I.
WHAT IS SANCTIFICATION? (1 Cor. 1:30, 31; Heb.13:12, 13)
Sanctification
is a second definite, instantaneous work of grace wrought in the heart by the
Holy Ghost, by which the heart is cleansed, or made pure from inbred or
inherited sin by application of the blood of Jesus. God has made Christ to be
our sanctification. Our “old man”—Adamic nature; fleshly mind; the flesh;
sinful nature; carnal mind—is put off, or crucified with Christ, and “the new
man” is put on: “Ye have put off the old man with his [fleshly] deeds; And have
put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that
created him: (Col. 3:9, 10). “Our old man is crucified with him [Christ], that
the body of sin [sinful nature] might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin. For he that is dead [crucified] is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:6, 7).
For
our justification, Jesus took our sins, or actual transgressions, upon Himself
and made full satisfaction for them in our stead. It was by HIS GRACE; it was
FREE, with no contribution on our part. Now, the same is true of our
sanctification. The reproach of the Adamic nature, or inbred sin, demanded
that the offering of Himself be made outside Jerusalem and the environs of the
temple and altar. His reproach became our victory over sin! Again, free! A
work of grace! The glory all belongs to GOD!
Romans 8:7, 8
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Matthew 7:21-23
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
II.
THE NECESSITY OF SANCTIFICATION (Romans 8:7,8, 1Thess. 4:3-4, Matt 7:21-23)
As
cited in our “Foreword,” the fleshly nature remains after justification;
therefore, if one would live a victorious life, that nature must be crucified.
The carnal mind is not, and cannot be, subject to God’s law, or will.
Therefore, it is not pleasing to God to continue in that state. Since God has
made the provision at such cost through His Son, it is evident that one is
living short of his glorious privilege when he refuses to walk in the light of
sanctification. The Apostle Paul explains that the will of God is your sanctification (1Thess. 4:3-4) so the called saint can live above lust and sin. If someone ever wanted to know what God wants for their life, there we have it! Moreover, Jesus said, those who call him Lord, but do not do HIS WILL (SANCTIFICATION) will one day hear the sad saying, "depart from me I never knew you."
1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Hebrews 12:14
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall
see the Lord.
III.
HOLINESS REQUIRED (1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7; Heb. 12:14)
The Best definition of Holiness is to love God and one's neighbor as themselves it can also be defined as cleanliness or purity of heart ‘and mind; freedom from sin; the state of
living a holy life consecrated to God and His cause. It is made possible by
sanctification as a definite work of grace. In other words, it is the fruit of
sanctification and all that precedes it from God. The goal is to be
“unblameable in holiness before God.” Though it results from an instantaneous
work, it must be maintained (Read 2 Cor. 6:14-18 and 7:1).
God
has called us unto holiness of life; therefore the heart must be made pure.
Evidently, it is a mandatory attainment since “no man shall see the Lord”
without it.
Receiving
sanctification is not a mailer of mere “wishful thinking.” A holiness preacher put
it this way: “...Seekers will have to meet the conditions upon which grace and
mercy are pledged to do the work for them. There must be a renunciation of everything
that may be called filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Cor. 7:1). Every
bodily impurity, all mistreatment of
the mind by reading, (watching) or communication with others, all uses of the senses and
instincts which would awaken impure thoughts and acts, and indeed everything
real and imaginary that would corrupt must be abandoned forever. There must be
a devotement of time, talents, money, influence, and everything one possesses
to the glory of God. All our dearest rights, and life itself, must be laid down
at Jesus’ feet. Having renounced everything that is wrong, and devoted everything
that is good to the service of God, it only remains to believe that God,
according to promise, does NOW cleanse and purify. Upon the exercise of this
faith, the great transaction is done. The soul passes to a state of entire
sanctification.”
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And Tell Someone What Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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Yes...so easy to forget that it DOES say that no man shall see the Lord without holiness!
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