What is sanctification about?

26

Becoming Sanctified After Salvation



If we were to ask believers what it means to be sanctified, what could their answers be?

It wouldn’t be surprising to hear responses such as:

●Going to church

●Obeying leadership’s teachings

●Volunteering

●Taking communion

●Giving financially

●Praying

Is your spiritual antenna up? I’d agree with what was listed in my early years of ministry. Now, I’d beg to differ. Are there Scriptures we can go to help us figure this out? Yes, there is. Please turn in your Bible to the Book of Galatians.



Suggested Reading: Galatians 3:1-14

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

The Apostle Paul asked the Galatian believers to contemplate certain aspects of their walk with God. His first question was, how did you receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, by the works of the law (Mosaic) or by the hearing of faith (the gospel)? It’s assumed that most would acknowledge it was by repentance of their sins to God the Father and believing in His Son Jesus Christ as to who He is and what He’s accomplished.

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

He follows this up with another question. Having begun in the Holy Spirit ruling their spiritual lives as the essence and active principle, how is it that you’re now made perfect (being brought to the state of spiritual maturity) by the flesh (upon self-effort in an attempt to obey an outward legalistic system of works189)? There were some Jewish Christians who believed that the Jewish people had been saved through [grace] but that Jews who rejected the law were lost.190

What we can deduce from this is whether a church advocates adherence to some or all of the aspects of the Mosaic Law or strict obedience to what leadership commands, the result will be the loss of spiritual victory over sin.191 You’re probably thinking, I don’t understand. Here’s what I mean. The Christian walk isn’t about doing but being.

As we become aware of the many blessings received in our spirit at salvation and learn how to work them out in our experience, we’ll be motivated and prompted by the Holy Spirit to release our faith. This doesn’t mean that learning about the doctrines of the Christian faith and having opportunities to participate in church activities isn’t important. But what it should mean is that a Christian’s salvation and sanctification has nothing to do with self-achievement and performance.

The preaching of the gospel and a person’s response to it is the basis for God the Holy Spirit coming into their life. This is a one-time occurrence. Sanctification, however, is a process whereby a believer learns how to separate from their former life and everything of an evil nature that pertains to it.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

As we renew our minds with God’s unlimited medicine, His Word, we’ll be filled (controlled, guided, and directed) by the Holy Spirit, i.e., he’ll be actively engaging with us.

Some of the effects of His ministry in our lives will be as follows.



●We’ll no longer be satisfying any of our cravings, longings, or desires of the flesh, whether good or bad.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.



●We’ll experience divine peace and joy.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;



●We’ll be comforted when we’re under pressure, external suffering, or internal mental anguish.

2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.



●We’ll be able to understand the Word of God.

John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Now that we’ve become aware of some of the different aspects of our walk with God and the pertinent verses that will help us set our minds on things above so that Christlikeness will be expressed, there’s one final chapter ahead that is of utmost importance. Here’s the following questions that pertains to it.

How do we know whether the church we’re a member of or visiting allows God the Spirit to dwell in the lives of unbelievers and provide teachings that will help them advance to spiritual maturity? Let’s find out.



Endnotes

189Weust’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament.

190IVP Bible Background Commentary.

191The Pulpit Commentary.