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The Practice of Sanctification (Holiness) (1)

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The Practice of Sanctification (Holiness) (1)

8 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

Sanctification is a subject that is often spoken about, which is understandable because it is indispensable in the way of salvation. The Apostle writes, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Rev. M. Karens, Werkendam, the Netherlands

Thomas Watson remarks, “The most important matter which a Christian should seek after is sanctification. It is our best certificate for heaven. Sanctification is the first fruit of the Spirit, the only coin that will pass current in the other world. We cannot know God’s love by giving us health, riches, success; but by drawing His image of sanctification on us by the pencil of the Holy Ghost it is known.”

J.C. Ryle writes in his book Holiness, “There are three things which, according to the Bible, are absolutely necessary to salvation. These three are regeneration, justification, and sanctification. You will find all three in each child of God; a child of God is regenerated, justified, and sanctified.”

There are many matters regarding the understanding of sanctification which we will not consider in this article, but we wish to place the emphasis upon the practice of sanctification. In the first place, we wish to consider what Scripture says about it. We will then follow with some thoughts about this subject out of the history of the Church. Finally, we will consider the actuality of sanctification and the applications of it in personal life.

Biblical notations about sanctification

The word sanctification does not appear very frequently in the Bible, approximately ten times. Only in the epistles of the New Testament is the word sanctification found. I am thinking of Romans 6:22: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

We frequently come across the verb sanctify in the Bible. In the Hebrew language the word is qadasj and in the Greek hagiadzoo. This word can have three meanings. In the first place, it is used for God. In this manner it means to praise or to glorify. In his letter Peter admonishes to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” This is also the meaning in the first petition of the most perfect prayer, “Hallowed be Thy name.” Hallowing and glorifying, therefore, have somewhat the same meaning.

The second meaning of the word qadasj or hagiadzoo is to separate or to set apart, to devote to the Lord and His service. Literally, a sanctified one is one who has been separated, one who is completely dedicated to someone else. Scripture speaks of holy places, holy objects, and holy seasons. Thus, we see that the word is also used in the fourth commandment of the Law, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”

The third meaning of the word sanctification in the Bible is renewal. In this manner it is used especially in the New Testament. Sanctification then refers to the work of the Holy Spirit (the Sanctifier) whereby He renews sinners according to Gods image. “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). It is a characteristic of Calvin that he sees the restoration of God’s image as the object of sanctification.

Differentiation

It is helpful to differentiate between the biblical words rebirth, conversion, and sanctification. They cannot be separated one from the other. The rebirth is a new birth from God, a birth through Word and Spirit, a new creation, whereof is spoken so wonderfully in Scripture that God works in us without anything of us. It is a one-time sovereign work of God. Therein lies the beginning of sanctification. The fruit of that work is conversion. That is a process. It is the mortification of the old man and the quickening of the new man. “Whereupon the will thus renewed is not only actuated and influenced by God, but in consequence of this influence, becomes itself active. Wherefore also, man is himself rightly said to believe and repent, by virtue of that grace received” (Canons of Dordt, Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine, Article 12). Therefore, sanctification is the work of the Spirit which begins with the new birth and continues until the hour of death of the believer. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:9&10).

The Vine

Also striking is the illustration which the Lord Jesus uses over against His disciples with the well-known parable of the vine and its branches. In John 15, Jesus compares Himself to a vine and His disciples to the branches, which, if they remain in Him, will bring forth much fruit. “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” Very clearly the Lord Jesus teaches here, “For without Me ye can do nothing.” Only in the communion of faith with Christ will the fruits of the new life become visible. The closer and the nearer the branches are bound to the Vine by saving faith, the greater will be the fruit in the branches because of the life which flows from the Vine.

The Bible teaches us that sanctification is not in the first place from us. It is a benefit of grace which has been acquired by Christ. This benefit is applied by the Holy Spirit (as the Spirit of sanctification) according to the good pleasure of the Father. When, through an upright faith, you are implanted into Christ in the new birth, you are sanctified (holy) in Him. A passive sanctification is then spoken of in dogmatics. Rev. G.H. Kersten cites the definition of Hillenius, “Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, particularly of the Holy Spirit whereby: 1) the completely corrupt yet elect sinner is taken out of his depraved state and renewed, and 2) whereby the one born again is more and more cleansed from the filthiness of sin, and made conformable to God’s image, and is not only encouraged to good works, but also made more and more qualified thereto.”

J.C. Ryle states, “Sanctification is the internal spiritual work which the Lord Jesus Christ works in a sinner, through the Holy Spirit, when He calls him to faith. He does not only wash and cleanse him with His blood, but He also delivers him from the inborn love for sin and the world, lays a new beginning in his heart, and causes him to be active in the practice of godliness in his life.” This sanctification is also profitable for the Church through the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross. Through the power of Christ the old man is crucified, dead, and buried so that the evil lusts of the flesh would no longer rule us but that we would offer ourselves as an offering of thankfulness. Calvin uses two distinct words for sanctification: mortificatio and vivificatio. The meaning of salvation which is typified in Christ’s death and resurrection is mirrored in the lives of true believers in mortification and quickening.

Receiving and returning

Active sanctification is also spoken about in dogmatics. Also here the sinner is completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is not, God did something (justification), and now it is my turn. No, it is a mortification of the old man, that is, my corrupt flesh, a dying to self, but also a quickening of the new man. Lord’s Day 33 of our Heidelberg Catechism teaches us about that with the well-known explanation—"It is a sincere sorrow of heart that we have provoked God by our sins, and more and more to hate and flee from them. It is also a sincere joy of heart in God, through Christ, and with love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.” How blessed if this is not only an outward confession but may also be an upright experience in our hearts and lives, that sincere joy in God through Christ, who is given us to justification, sanctification, and complete deliverance. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).

Dr. Owen writes, “People should not deceive themselves. Sanctification is a characteristic which is absolutely necessary for those who are being led to salvation by Christ. He brings to heaven only those whom He sanctifies upon earth. The Living Head does not accept dead members.” Therefore, sanctification is a receiving and a returning. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12c&13).

— To be continued —

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van zaterdag 1 januari 2011

The Banner of Truth | 24 Pagina's

The Practice of Sanctification (Holiness) (1)

Bekijk de hele uitgave van zaterdag 1 januari 2011

The Banner of Truth | 24 Pagina's