What part do we play in the process of Sanctification, and
When is a person Sanctified?
The working of the principle of true sanctification in the Christian heart is inimitably illustrated in Christ’s parable of the growing seed:
Mark 4:28 — “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”
“The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die.”
“As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement.”
“Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to our privileges.” —“Christ’s Object Lessons,” p. 65.
True sanctification, as set forth by inspiration, is in two phases which, though in one sense, are distinct one from another, yet, in another, are coalescing.
In fine,
“
- The righteousness by which we are justified [the first phase of sanctification] is imputed.
- The righteousness by which we are sanctified [the second phase] is imparted.
The first is our title to heaven; the second is our fitness for heaven.” — The Review and Herald, June 4, 1895 (In Christ Our Righteousness, p. 98).
Justification — The First Phase
IMPUTED, pp. Charged to the account of; attributed; ascribed.
This first phase of sanctification embraces:
- The accepting of Christ — “the way, the truth, and life” (John 14:6) —
- With consequent forsaking of the world: the flesh, and the devil.
God, by His Spirit, sanctifies (sets apart) the elect, or true believers, by leading them into all Truth (John 16:13) and instilling in them the principle of holiness.
“And such were some of you,” says Paul, after speaking of those who are without the Truth,
“but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified… in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (I Cor. 6:11.)
Nevertheless, we must not conclude that sanctification is an instantaneous work, by which, through faith alone, we accepted the truth and thereby, through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16) have been sanctified, or set apart for a holy purpose; the work of sanctification is not consummated, but immediately progresses (“The Great Controversy,” p. 470) into its second phase — growing in grace.
II Pet. 3:14 — “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
II Pet. 3:18 —“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
Sanctification — The Second Phase
IMPARTED, pp. Communicated; granted; conferred.
Growing in Grace
When we are first converted to the truth and renounce the world, our Christian life is just begun, and having accepted “the principles of the doctrine of Christ,” we must “go on unto perfection.” (Heb. 6:1, “The Great Controversy,” p. 470.)
Thus begins that phase of sanctification, which is the dynamic process of progressive regeneration through the continual impartation of the righteousness of Christ, “by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God” (“The Great Controversy,” p. 469), for “the impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ” (“Gospel Workers,” p. 285) — complete sanctification.
“Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace.”
“Jesus, considered as a man, was perfect, yet He grew in grace. Luke 2:52, ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.’ Even the most perfect Christian may increase continually in the knowledge and love of God.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 1, pp. 339, 340.
“We should consider the words of the apostle Paul, in which he appeals to his brethren, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies ‘a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God’…Sanctification is not merely a theory, an emotion, or a form of words, but a living, active principle, entering into the everyday life. It requires that our habits of eating, drinking, and dressing, be such as to secure the preservation of physical, mental, and moral health, that we may present to the Lord our bodies — not an offering corrupted by wrong habits, but — ‘a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.’ Rom 12:1.” — “Counsels on Health,” p. 67.
Not to be Confused with Feelings
“Sanctification… is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall overcome.”
We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last, there will be no stopping place, no point which we can reach and say, I have fully attained. Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience.” — “The Acts of the Apostles”, p. 560.
The Importance of Present Truth to Sanctification
“Here is Bible sanctification. It is not merely a show or outside work. It is sanctification received through the channel of truth. It is truth received in the heart, and practically carried out in the life.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 1, p. 339.
“There is no Bible sanctification for those who cast a part of the truth behind them” (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 1, p. 338), for “this work cannot go on in the heart while the light on any part of the truth is rejected or neglected. The sanctified soul will not be content to remain in ignorance, but will desire to walk in the light and to seek for greater light. As a miner digs for gold and silver, so the follower of Christ will press from light to greater light, ever increasing in knowledge. He will continually grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.” (R. &, H., June 17, 1890.)
“Many… do not exemplify the truth in their lives. They have special exercises upon sanctification, yet cast the word of God behind them. They pray sanctification, sing sanctification, and shout sanctification… The present truth, which is the channel, is not regarded, but is trampled under foot. Men may cry, Holiness! holiness! sanctification! sanctification! consecration! consecration! and yet know no more by experience of what they talk than the sinner with his corrupt propensities. God will soon tear off this whitewashed garb of professed sanctification which some who are carnally minded have thrown around them to hide the deformity of the soul.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 1, pp. 338, 336.
“Christ prayed for His disciples in these words: ‘Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word [message] is truth.’ There is no genuine sanctification, except through obedience to the truth.” — “The Sanctified Life,” p. 49.
Examples of True Sanctification
“The prophet Daniel was an example of true sanctification. His long life was filled with noble service for his Master. He was a man ‘greatly beloved’ of Heaven. Yet instead of claiming to be pure and holy, this honored prophet identified himself with the really sinful of Israel, as he pleaded before God in behalf of his people: ‘
We do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies.’ We have sinned, we have done wickedly.’ He declares, ‘I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people.’ And when at a later time the Son of God appeared, to give him instruction, Daniel says, ‘My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.’
“When Job heard the ‘voice of the Lord out of the whirlwind, he exclaimed, ‘I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’ It was when Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, and heard the cherubim crying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts,’ that he cried out, ‘Woe is “me! for’ I am undone.’
Paul, after he was caught up into the third heaven, and heard things which it was not possible for a man to utter, speaks of himself as, ‘less than the least of all saints.” — “The Great Controversy,” pp. 470, 471.
Constant Conflict with Self, and Dying Daily
“Paul’s sanctification was the result of a constant conflict with self. He said, ‘I die daily.’ His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did God’s will, however crucifying to his own nature.
“God leads His people on step by step. The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy, and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose.
“No one will be borne upward without stern persevering effort in his own behalf. All must engage in this warfare for themselves… The struggle for conquest over self; for holiness and heaven is a life-long struggle. Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 8, p. 313.
What part do We Play in this Process?
“‘This is the will of God concerning human beings, even their sanctification. In urging our way upward, heavenward, every faculty must be kept in the most healthy condition, prepared to do faithful service. The powers with which God has endowed man are to be put to the stretch… Man cannot possibly do this of himself; he must have divine aid.
“What part is the human agent to act? — ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.’ Phil. 2:12, 13.” — Id., p. 64.
Thus is pointedly contrasted both God’s part and man’s part in the supreme work of sanctification, so that even “The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isa. 35:8.)
