Sanctification Recap

Introduction to Sanctification from Ephesians

A lot of the things presented in Ephesians 4:17 through 5:13 illustrate the importance of understanding sanctification in a practical sense.

Ephesians 4:17–5:13 (ESV)

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or who is covetous (that is, an idolater) has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.

Definitions and Biblical Meaning of Sanctification

We discussed definitions related to sanctification. The primary Hebrew term for sanctification is synonymous with holiness. In the Greek text, it often refers to the same concept: the process of being made holy. Sanctification is God conforming an individual to the declaration made in justification—you are declared righteous, holy, Christ-like—and then being conformed to that image.

The Hebrew term originates from a word meaning "to cut," forming the foundation for understanding sanctification and holiness. This is separation: cutting off a person from something and bringing them to something else. The Greek terms in the New Testament carry the same idea.

Scripture distinguishes a one-time act of sanctification—separating a person to God—and the ongoing process.

Hebrews 10:10, 14 (ESV)

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all... For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

The ongoing sanctification is the continual operation of the Holy Spirit, separating a person from sin and worldly concepts unto God. The terms develop into dedicating something for use, service, and worship—personal dedication to God. Sanctification changes a person's nature into the image of God, mending the marred image from the fall.

Two concepts are pitted against each other: consecration (purification through obedience to God) versus desecration (defilement through disobedience).

The Purpose and Goal: Change Through Putting Off and Putting On

The purpose and goal of sanctification is always change: separation from something unto something else, involving cessation of old activity and incorporation of new activity—a dehabituation and rehabituation.

This is the essence of Ephesians 4:17–5:13: put off the old self and put on the new self. Consider the question: When is a thief no longer a thief? When he ceases stealing, starts doing honest work, and shares with those in need. A fundamental change in nature occurs.

Ephesians 4:17 commands: "You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds." "Walk" refers to lifestyle. Gentiles (unbelievers) think about pointless things, leading to sinful activities and callousness. Pointless activities open doors to sin. Paul says all things may be lawful, but not all are profitable—abandon the unprofitable for the profitable.

Sanctification means separation: a fundamental difference between your life now and before, and between you and the world. Make decisions not based on worldly passions or sensual desires, but seek the Lord to shape sanctified desires.

Progression in Ephesians 4:

• Put away falsehood; speak truth (v. 25).
• Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on anger (v. 26).
• Let the thief no longer steal, but labor honestly and share (v. 28).
• No corrupting talk, but words that build up (v. 29).
• Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice; be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving as God forgave in Christ (vv. 31–32).

Forgiveness flows from preaching the gospel to yourself: God forgave your greater offenses through Christ's death. If God does not charge your brother, why should you?

Why Change Is Difficult: Habit from Youth

Change is not easy because sin has been our practice from youth.

Jeremiah 22:21 (ESV)

I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from your youth—that you could not obey my voice.

Habits are ingrained, like which foot you put your shoe on first. The default is to give in to sin. Doing nothing in Christianity leads to failure. Yet the Holy Spirit effects change; we are responsible to participate, not grieving Him (Eph. 4:30).

Hebrews 5:11–14 (ESV)

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

These second-generation Christians had become lazy, unskilled due to lack of constant practice. Maturity correlates with knowing Scripture. Practice distinguishing good from evil outside temptation moments, like soldiers training before battle.

A Biblical Process for Change: 2 Peter 1

God grants divine power for life and godliness through knowledge of Him, His promises, and partaking in the divine nature, escaping worldly corruption. Make every effort to supplement faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. If these qualities are yours and increasing through practice, you will be effective and fruitful, never fall, and have a rich entrance into the eternal kingdom.

2 Peter 1:3–11 (ESV)

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Practice confirms calling and election. Peter reminds through his letters; we are reminded through diligent study, practice, and fellowship.