Sanctification the Bible doctrine of The concept that is described by the words “sanctify” or “sanctification” is very important to understand. It is bound up in the Character of God, and explains why He expects from us what He expects from us. Therefore, a study of what the Bible reveals about sanctification has a very real and practical purpose Consider the following passage from Paul’s pen… (2 Corinthians 6:17-18), “Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.’” The idea of being separate from the world. The idea of being holy in our conducts. This is what we mean (in general terms) when we use the word sanctification As such, an understanding and application of these things will help to equip us as we live day by day in the midst of an unclean and unholy society. Sanctification

Defining the Terms Sanctify – (hagiazo) To render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate… (2) To separate from things profane and dedicate to God. To consecrate (Thayer) Sanctification (hagiasmos) “is used of (a) separation to God… (b) the course of life befitting those so separated” (Vine) Sanctify – (hagiazo) To render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate… (2) To separate from things profane and dedicate to God. To consecrate (Thayer) Note the idea of separation that is inherent in the word. In the Old Testament, the idea did not always indicate a value judgment on morality It would simply mean something given over to the Lord. It could indicate land, possessions, days, etc. However, those things given over to the Lord were then considered special. Even holy! This is demonstrated in the nation of Israel itself (Exodus 19:5-6), “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Israel was consecrated to God That is why it was so wrong for them to be act in a profane or wicked way. They had been set apart from the rest of the world, by God Himself. Sanctification (hagiasmos) “is used of (a) separation to God… (b) the course of life befitting those so separated” (Vine) The practical significance of this definition is seen in letter “b”. If God sets us apart, our lives should be lived in such a way as to honor that separation. Christians should live holy lives! (1 Peter 2:9), “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Sanctification in the Old Testament Uncleanness was not allowed near that which had been sanctified by God. Leviticus 15:31 This truth was demonstrated in God’s punishment of Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 10:1-3 Uncleanness was not allowed near that which had been sanctified by God. This is demonstrated in the laws concerning being clean VS unclean, as it pertains to one’s ability to come to the tabernacle. In Leviticus, many laws were given, regarding things such as permitted food, childbirth, leprosy, and bodily discharges. If, by law, the individual was declared unclean, he was limited for a period, from interacting with others, and attending worship (Leviticus 15:31), “‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them.” This truth was demonstrated in God’s punishment of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3), “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held his peace.” They brought profane fire (that which was unholy) to worship God. In this, they showed no respect for Him “By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy.”

Sanctification in the New Testament Christians are separated from the world Romans 6:1-4 The holy sacrifice we offer to God is ourselves! Romans 12:1-2 We must acknowledge the call to holiness! 1 Peter 1:14-16; Romans 8:1; 6:19 In the New Testament, sanctification has moral implications, as clearly pointed out by the Lord (Matthew 15:10-20) [The Pharisees were offended by Jesus, and His attitude toward their ritual handwashing before eating], “When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? “Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. “These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Christians are separated from the world (Romans 6:1-4), “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” At the point of baptism, our life is new. A new life requires a cessation from sin. The holy sacrifice we offer to God is ourselves! (Romans 12:1-2), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Simply put, (as in our definition), we have been separated from the world by God, and our lives should acknowledge that separation to holiness. (1 Peter 1:14-16), “as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (Romans 8:1), “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romansa 6:19), “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”

Concluding Applications The call to live a sanctified life, the holiness befitting one who has been separated to God, impacts every aspect of our profession to Him. 1 Peter 4:1-3; Leviticus 10:3; Jude 20-21 The call to Holiness – a sanctified life – impacts every aspect of the Christian profession Moral issues such as drinking, gambling, modest dress, profanity, sexual purity. (1 Peter 4:1-3), “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” It impacts our call to be reverent in our worship to Him (This is my strongest objection to a casual familiarity when we come before the Almighty to worship Him). Though we have a right to intimately approach Him, (as in no other time); that does not mean we have the right to treat such an opportunity as common. (Leviticus 10:3) [Remember Moses’ words to Aaron, as God punished Nadab and Abihu], “‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.” It impacts the call to doctrinal purity, and a rejection of those who would pervert God’s word. (Jude 20-21) [Jude, after having warned about the destructive ways of false teachers and their perversions, wrote], “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” What a wonderful life the sanctified live. Consecrated to God, called to holiness! (1 Thessalonians 5:23), “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”