Practical Sanctification - Week 2

Sanctified: from the Latin sanctus or sacred; set apart

“We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.” New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833)

Sanctified means dedicated, consecrated or set apart.

Positional sanctification is immediate at the moment of salvation and requires no action from us.

Practical sanctification is a lifetime process of becoming like Jesus.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.2 Corinthians 3:18

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.1 Peter 1:15-16

Sanctification is not a good idea, but an expectation of every believer.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;Titus 2:11-12

Sanctification is about growth in righteousness, holiness and Christlikeness.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.2 Peter 3:18

Sanctification is not done by our own works in simply trying harder.

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?Galatians 3:3

We are not holy simply from the things we do not do, but by growing into the likeness of Jesus.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.2 Corinthians 3:18

Sanctification requires a willingness to repent of sin, die to self, walk in the Spirit and live in obedience to the Word.

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 to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Romans 12:1-2

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:Colossians 3:8-10

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.Romans 6:13-14

Sanctification requires a conscious decision to live as a new creature in Jesus.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.Ephesians 4:22-24

Sanctification allows God to use us in a greater way.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.2 Timothy 2:20-21

The false doctrine of a second blessing or a second work of grace teaches that one can become so sanctified that they never sin again and are free from the carnal desires of the sinful heart.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.1 John 1:8

The second blessing sees sanctification as a separate one-time event just like salvation.

Practical sanctification is a work begun by the Father, to be conformed to the image of the Son, by the work of the Holy Spirit, by instructing us in the Word of God and carried out by the believer by walking in obedience and remaining committed to a life of continual, progressive holiness and righteousness.