Sanctification by the Truth

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24  Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

“We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness (I Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Ephesians 1:4); that it is a progressive work (II Peter 1:5-8); that it begun in regeneration (I John 2:29); and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter (I Corinthians 6:11), in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (John 17:17; Philippians 2:12,13).”

Sanctification has to do with the continuing of the Christian life.  The child of God belongs to God, and therefore his living and serving, growing and fruitbearing are to express the new nature within.

Sanctification means the state of one who is set apart to the service of God, who belongs to God.  It also means the transforming of the one thus set apart, into the likeness of the LORD Jesus (II Co­rinthians 3:18).  Christian perfection is a life growing, bearing fruit, becoming mature in the faith (II Peter 3:17,18).

Sanctification may become retarded by the negligence of the Christ­ian (Hebrews 5:11—14).  A Christian may backslide, fail to “add to faith” (II Peter 1:8-10).  But, let us be confident of this, that He which hath begun a good work, will complete it (Philippians 1:6).

The One who Sanctifies is the Holy Spirit.  The Christian life is life in the Spirit (Romans 8:9-14).  We are born again of the Spirit, and we continue in the growth and development of the Christian life in the power of the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit, Who is the Other Self of Jesus (John 14:16-18), Sanctifies the Christian by means of the word of God (John 17:17).  No part of the Christian’s life is to be thought of as outside the Sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:23).  The Holy Spirit applies the word of God in the as­sembly, in the preaching, in Christian fellowship, in temptations and trials, in suffering, in overcoming, and in the daily performance of duty in the home and in the world (I Corinthians 1:4-9).

A Christlike character is the goal of the one who has been justi­fied, regenerated and claimed by God (Philippians 3:14,15).  For the one Sanctified by the Spirit does cooperate (Philippians 2:12,13).  A born-again one “desires the sincere milk of the word” (I Peter 2:lf).  Self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayerfulness in the Holy Spirit, by the word of God, prepares us to be, at our LORD’s appearing, in His likeness (I John 3:1-3). The ultimate aim of re­demption is that the redeemed man might attain to perfect communion with God and complete conformity to His likeness. Our glorification will be the crowning act in our justification (Romans 8:29,30).

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of bringing God’s provision for a life of holiness and making it effectual in the life of His saints (Ephesians 3:16-21).

- - - - The Scriptures below are referenced in the doctrinal statement - - - -

1 Thessalonians 4:3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

1 Thessalonians 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Peter 1:5-8  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Philippians 2:12-13  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.