Sanctification

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 26, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 46.

Is It Instantaneous or Progressive?

THERE is a deal of controversy over this question that it seems to us need not be. There are those who hold that sanctification is a definite work, following conversion or justification, an act of faith, instantaneous in operation. Some contend that it makes the man sinless, and so holds him. It is by some counted "a second blessing."

Others hold that sanctification is a progressive work, covering the years of Christian experience after conversion, and that the soul never knows when that is reached.

The testimony of the Word is worth more than all human conjecture or human experience. The term "sanctification" is found in our English version six times, as follows: In 1 Cor. 1:30 Jesus is said to be our sanctification as He is our redemption; in 1 Thess. 4:3 we learn that "this is the will of God, even your sanctification;" in the next verse it is said that each one should "possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;" in 2 Thess. 2:13 it is said that we are chosen "to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;" practically the same thing is stated in 1 Peter 1:2.

The root meaning of the verb is, to separate from the common, to set apart to a sacred use. So God sanctified the Sabbath, or separated it from the common days, and set it apart to a sacred use.

As applied to man, it has a double sense. So far as the will, the purpose, the yielding, is concerned, the work is instantaneous. So every Christian who wins eternal life, sometime gives himself and all his powers to God. That critical moment of his decision is instantaneous; but the carrying out of that decision is a lifelong work. Chosen "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" means a life-work in the holy channel of God’s leading.

This sanctification does not imply perfection. "The saints" at Ephesus, "the sanctified" at Corinth, were not perfect, as Paul’s epistles clearly show; but the purpose was perfection, and the purpose was being worked out in character.

It is worthy of note, in these few suggestions, that these saints never so designate themselves. Paul calls others saints, but never himself. God would have called His "servant" thus, we may believe; but Paul clearly declared that he was not perfect, but was pressing on. Phil. 3:7-14.

We are sure that the fullest impartial investigation will clearly show that sanctification is instantaneous as regards purpose, will, decision; progressive as regards the life-work of the Christian. So it worked out in all the Biblical children of God; we know of no improvement on the old way by modern methods or theories. God’s plan presents hope, perseverance, growing power in Christ Jesus, with no boasting save in the cross.