p. 1 | SANCTIFICATION by M. C. W.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 11, 1891

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 17, No. 19.

SANCTIFICATION.

By M. C. W.

THERE are perhaps few subjects upon which there are more erroneous ideas than that of sanctification. With some it is special grace, like that of faith, or meekness, or love, or mercy. With some it denotes a certain point, or place, or plane, in the Christian life that the earnest Christian sooner or later attains to, and which he must seek for and believe for as he did for justification. With this class sanctification means a wholly instantaneous work. With others it is wholly a progressive work, reaching entirely through Christian experience. What is the teaching of the word of God? We will not take space to treat the subject exhaustively, but will suggest a few thoughts which we believe will help our readers to the understanding of this subject, and which will encourage them in the Christian life.

What does the term sanctification mean? The noun "sanctification" comes from the verb "sanctify." This word, according to Worcester's theological definition, means "to free from the power of sin; to cleanse from corruption; to make holy." And this is a definition which is commonly received, and which has misled many. But the definition nearer correct is the following: "To ordain or set apart to sacred ends; to consecrate; to hallow." And to illustrate this use of the word, Mr. Worcester quotes Gen. 2:3. The definitions of the original Hebrew and Greek words translated "sanctify," according to Young, are "to separate, set apart." "To separate from that which is common," says another authority. The idea is to separate from former associations and to set apart to a special use. In a religious sense, therefore, sanctification means separation from sin and the world, and setting apart to God, to be wholly his. A recognition of the meaning of the word will help materially to an understanding of the subject.

Sanctification also has, as has every other relation between God and man, its human side and divine side. And these two phases must also be considered, in order to a proper understanding of the matter. What are they?

1. The human side. Of course, so far as making himself holy is concerned, man can do nothing. He is utterly helpless, "without strength." Rom. 5:6. He can do one thing only, choose God's will. He can yield himself to God. So far as his will is concerned, he can "separate" himself from the sin, from the world and its evil associations, from everything that is contrary to the will of God, and he can set himself apart, give, sanctify himself to God and his cause, to be wholly the Lord's. He does this in will and purpose. He wills to do God's will. See Revised Version, John 7:17. He needs not years to do this work. It may be done at once. In fact, when it is done at all, it is the work of a moment. Sanctification, therefore, so far as the human side is concerned, is an instantaneous work. The individual renounces all for Christ, as our Lord said: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33. For "forsaketh" the Revised Version reads "renounceth." See also verses 26, 27 and Matt. 10:37.

This phase of sanctification involves the deliberate choice of God's way and complete surrender of self to the divine will, to do or to die, to labor or to suffer, just as pleases God. That God helps the individual in this complete submission is true, but that we need not now discuss. Suffice to say, the choice as to whether he will or will not surrender to God lies with man. God will not compel the choice; it must be voluntary. Life and death are set before the soul, but the choice rests with him. Deut. 30:19. And he who chooses God's will, who surrenders himself as an instrument of God, is a sanctified man. 1 Cor. 6:11. He has separated himself so far as in

his power from the world and sin. He is set apart unto God. He is yet imperfect in character, he lacks wisdom in working, he makes mistakes, he may fail through the infirmities of the flesh, but he is, nevertheless, a sanctified man, or, as expressed in the Scriptures, a saint. He is holy unto the Lord, a child of God.

2. The divine side of sanctification is a progressive work. When the individual by faith surrenders to God, his sins are forgiven—he is justified, washed—a new heart is given him, a new spirit—the Spirit of Christ—is put within him, and the work of progression, sanctification, or character building begins. The instantaneous sanctification is ever so, a living sacrifice bound by the cords of love to the altar of God; the progressive is ever progressive till the probation of the individual ends, and both are of God; for it was the Spirit of God that persuaded man to choose. Man yields his members as instruments of righteousness unto God, and God develops in man a continually-growing character of righteousness and strength. God brings the members in harmony with the will of the man. The Spirit of God moulds every power and faculty of the body, which the will of man yields, into harmony with the divine will.

This sanctification is said to be by the Spirit. 2 Thess. 2:13. But the instrument which the Spirit uses for this purpose is the word, or truth, of God. Eph. 5:26; John 17:17; Eph. 6:17. Defects of character are revealed by a study of the word of God; but that same word presents the remedy in the blood of Christ. The defect is supplemented by the truth which is received into the heart. The spiritual man feeds on the word of God (1 Peter 2:2), and is built up thereby (Acts 20:32). And so the child and saint of God goes forward, perfect in will, in purpose, in love for God, but growing in grace, in a knowledge of the truth, and the Incarnate Truth, reflecting more and more, as the days go by, the excellencies and virtues of Christ the Lord.

This view of sanctification is, we believe, in harmony with the word of God. And every soul who has yielded himself to God, who loves God, who trusts the word of God, who relies wholly on the power of God, to whom he is set apart, may rejoice in the fact that he is a saint of God, sanctified to the Master's use and to the eternal reward; and, realizing this, he will also be more watchful to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called.