Sanctfication  by Tod M. Kennedy

   1. Definition and comparison.

   1.1. The condition in which a person is set apart and qualified for
relationship and service to God. Sanctification does not imply sinless
perfection while alive on earth in time (Lv 27.14- 16; Jer 1.5; Rom
12.1; 1 Cor 1.2, 30, 6.11; 2 Cor 1.2; Heb 12.14).

   1.2. Sanctification, spirituality, growth, and maturity are often
confused. They are related but are different. Sanctification emphasizes
the set apart and prepared readiness at any point in time. It requires
spirituality. Growth enhances it. Spirituality emphasizes the activity
of the Holy Spirit at any point in time. It is an absolute, not
relative condition. Growth emphasizes the process of spiritual
development. Maturity emphasizes the stages of spiritual growth. Both
growth and maturity are relative conditions.

   1.3. Greek words include 'agiazw (BAG 8, to make holy, sanctify,
consecrate, Jn 17.17; 1 Thes 5.23; 1 Cor 1.2), `agios (dedicated to
God, holy, sacred, pure 1 Pet 2.5,9; 1 Cor 1.2), hagiasmos
(sanctification, holiness, consecration--process or mostly result--Rom
6.19, 22; 2 Thes 2.13), hagiotes (holiness, Heb 12.10), hagiosune
(holiness, 2 Cor 7.1; 1 Thes 3.13).

   1.4. Hebrew words include qodesh (BDB 871, apartness, Lv 27.14; Ezra
8.28), qadash (to be set apart, consecrated, sacred, holy, Lv 27.14-17;
Jer 1.5).  2. There are three categories of sanctification.

   2.1. Position (Acts 26.18; 1 Cor 1.2, 30; 6.11; Eph 1.1; 2 Thes
2.13; Heb 10.10; 1 Pet 1.2).

   2.2. Experience (Jn 17.17; Rom 6.19, 22; 12.1; 2 Cor 7.1; 1 Thes
4.3-7; 5.23; Heb 12.10, 14; 1 Pet 1.15).

   2.3. Ultimate (Phil 3.21; 1 Jn 3.1-2; Jude 24-25).

   3. Sanctification is the work of God the Father (1 Thes 5.23), God
the Son (Heb 13.112; Eph 5.26), and God the Holy Spirit (Rom 15.16; 2
Thes 2.13).

   4. God also uses faith (Rom 6.11 in context; 2 Thes 2.13), Bible
doctrine (Jn 17.17; Eph 5.26), and human volition (Rom 6.19, 22; Tim
2.21; Heb 12.14; 1 Pet 1.15).

   5. God wants believers to have experiential sanctification or CWL
(Christian way of life) sanctification (2 Cor 7.1; 1 Thes 4.3; 1 Pet
1.15).

   6. Experiential or CWL sanctification is a daily condition, not a
once and for all condition. The more mature a believer is, the more
time he will be experiencing sanctification and the more he will apply
or show sanctification (Jn 17.17; 2 Cor 7.1; Heb 12.14).

   7. How does a believer fulfill 2 Cor 7.1 or 1 Pet 1.15 and the other
Bible statements that tell believers to be sanctified during the CWL?

   7.1. The believer's volition must act. He must decide again and
again for sanctification (Rom 6.19, 22; 12.1; 2 Cor 7.1; Gal 5.16; 2
Tim 2.21; Heb 12.14; 1 Pet 1.15).

   7.2. Learn and apply Bible doctrine (Jn 17.17-19; 2 Cor 7.1; Eph
5.26).

   7.3. Make specific application of the doctrines and statements that
teach about sanctification. Some of these say reject sin, some say
apply by faith your position in Christ and what God has done for you,
some say learn learn Bible doctrine, and some say fear God (Jn 17.17;
Rom 6.19, 22; 1 Cor 1.2, 30; 2 Cor 7.1; 1 Th 4.3; 1 Thes 5.23; 1 Pet
1.13-16).

   7.4. Practice fear of the Lord, occupation with Christ, and
fellowship through confession of sin (2 Cor 7.1; Heb 12.1-2; 1 Jn 1.5-
9).

   7.5. Walk by means of the Holy Spirit, who works God's will inside
the believer and controls the old sin nature (Gal 5.16; Phil 2.12-13).

   7.6. Learn from divine discipline (Heb 12.10).

   7.7. Summary: Live the daily plan of God with God's
mission/ministry, preparation, practice, and environment. When the
believer lives this way he can make conscious and consistent decisions
for sanctification through the Holy Spirit, taught by doctrine, and by
faith.

   8. Experiential or CWL sanctification results include: live the CWL
and please God (2 Cor 7.1; 1 Thes 4.1-3, 7-8), ready to serve God in
the world (Jn 17.15-20), resist sin (1 Pet 1.13-16), and spiritual
growth (2 Cor 7.1; Heb 12.10).

   Copyright 1986 by Tod M. Kennedy