If you were advised by your physician that you were ill with a terminal disease, wouldn't you ask him if he knew of a solution to your condition? Man is suffering from a terminal spiritual disease. The cancer of inbred sin has branded us with a death mark. Without a solution, we are doomed. Well thank God, He has provided a solution! For the purpose of this study, the generic term for God's solution is sanctification.

While the Biblical words which are translated sanctification in the English have a variety of definitions and applications, the following definition is generally regarded as the most basic. "Sanctification is separation unto God." This definition is quite accurate since the New Testament Greek word (translated "sanctification" or "sanctify") is the word "hagiazo" which simply means "to hallow by separation."

Therefore, to be sanctified means to be separated unto God. If one is separated unto, one must logically be separated from. When a person is sanctified he or she is separated unto God from sin; or as Peter so clearly said, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (I Peter 2:9)  Since man's sinful condition is the reason for his separation from God, only a separation from sin can bring man into complete harmony with God. Sin is why man is unholy, and sanctification is God's plan for making unholy man holy.

WORD OF CAUTION! The student is cautioned at this juncture to not jump to his or her theological understanding of the doctrine of sanctification. Calvinists will have a different take on this doctrine from Wesleyans. Others will be somewhere between these classical doctrinal positions. The point of this study is totally different. In fact, as you progress, you will discover that Biblically, all Christ-centered and Bible-based students of the Word of God actually agree on the fundamentals of this essential doctrine. Where we differ is much less important than were we agree. Other courses address the differences. This course deals with the essentials.

In its most basic form, we can say that this plan of God for making people holy is one plan, but applied in four distinct works of grace. Sanctification, though one grand plan of God, is applied through a first, second, third, and fourth working of His grace.

Grace is God's favor that is not earned or deserved, but directed toward us anyway. Sanctification is God's four-fold plan of grace for making human beings holy. It is only because of His grace that we are able to participate in this plan. Therefore, each aspect of sanctification is a work of God's grace on our behalf.

We all have several things wrong with us which are the direct result of the sin of our first parents as well as our own. God has a solution for the problem of our inherited and personal sinfulness. This solution is called sanctification.

"I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything." (Acts 13:38,39).

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that comes by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24).

Please notice these wonderful words of encouragement: "Everyone who believes is justified from everything...freely by His grace." This means that everyone, no matter how sinful, no matter how desperate they have become, can be forgiven freely from everything! That is, for every sin ever committed, every sinful thought, every sinful word spoken, every sinful action or inaction! Mankind certainly does not deserve it! We could never earn it. Thank God that it is not a matter of earning or deserving. It's a matter of His grace---God's grace given freely through Christ Jesus. Forgiveness of sin is a first work of grace.

Along with this gracious forgiveness, the mind is changed so that a new life begins to reside within us. This new life is quite literally the Holy Spirit, and as a consequence, we become a new creation in Christ!. We are born-again. We are sanctified!

MAJOR PROBLEM NUMBER ONE: The record of our sin.

Solved by God's gracious forgiveness. Man is set apart as a child of the Heavenly Father. Consequently, man becomes sanctified (set apart unto God).

Other Terms Traditionally Applied To This First Work Of Grace:

Getting saved, being born-again, salvation, becoming a child of God, initial sanctification, positional sanctification, the washing of regeneration, conversion.

"Surely You desire truth in the inner parts...cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow/create in me a pure heart, Oh God." (Psalm 51:6,7,10).

"Repent and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38).

"He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith." (Acts 15:9).

Most of us have heard someone say, "Well, excuse me for living!" Actually, this is improper logic since we had nothing to do with being born! This is exactly why no one can ever be forgiven for being born with the fallen nature. Yes, if we are ever to become a true Christian, we must be forgiven of the record of sin. And yet, no one can be forgiven for being born with a fallen nature anymore than a person can be excused for living.

Just as no one ever asked to be born, no one ever asked to inherit the fallen nature. And yet, every person ever born is indeed in possession of a fallen nature from the very moment of conception. And, while it is true that no one ever asked to receive the fallen nature, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." What this teaches us is that each person becomes morally responsible for his or her willing participation in the whole matter of sin. The first aspect of sanctification is all about God's method of dealing with the record that we have all sinned and that we are all sinners.

When God deals with the record of our sin He forgives and redeems---the first aspect of sanctification. When God deals with the reason for our sin He cleanses (purifies)---the second aspect of sanctification. The fallen nature of man, which is totally beyond forgiveness, can become the object of cleansing (purifying). As the Scriptures above teach, "Cleanse me...wash me...create in me a pure heart...He purified their hearts."  This is not an eradication of the fallen nature.  In order to do that, God would have to kill us, because eradication is a benefit of the fourth aspect of sanctification.  This is cleansing (purifying) as clearly taught in Scripture.

Even though no one ever asked to be born, much less born with a fallen nature, we are all guilty of sufficient acts of sin that we do not deserve the cleansing of our fallen nature. But thank God it is not a matter of deserving, but a matter of grace---another work of God's grace! The cleansing (purifying) of man's fallen nature is a work of God's grace---a second work of grace. It is a work of grace that cleanses our nature of the old desire (much different from the ability) and inner drive toward, continual sinning.

That is, as a result of what happens to a person in initial sanctification, the person (now a sanctified child of God) becomes aware of much more than was ever possible while living in an unregenerate condition. Before being sanctified, the carnal mind was not able to understand and deal with the deeper issues of the sinful nature. After being born-again, the renewed mind of the person recognizes the source of the life of sin, and finds it repulsive, unacceptable, and unwanted.

Consequently, the child of God may reach out and through a God inspired willingness, make a total and determined consecration of one’s inner being to the Spirit of God. This is a consecration offered by a renewed spirit.  This is a consecration offered by a sanctified child of God.  This is a consecration offered out of the clear realization that "within me, there is no good thing."  The cleansing (purifying) of the inner person is a work of grace performed deep within the spirit-life. The practical results of which is that the chief motivation of the heart is to please God, with an attendant capacity to follow through with such a motivation that is grace enabled and grace empowered.  It is not manifested in spiritual gifts, but in spiritual power and inner peace.  Careful research into the lives of great Christian leaders past and present reveals that each sought and obtained a deeper walk with God through such an experience.

IMPORTANT! This is not to suggest that the Bible teaches cleansing removes the ability to sin. It is not to suggest that is removes the temptation to sin. It is not to suggest that it removes the opportunity to sin. It is not to suggest what some have mistakenly labeled as Christian Perfection. Neither is it to suggest any particular "doctrine" on the subject. It is only to recognize this: That as a consequence of the Fall, man has a need at this point; God has an answer; and it may be sought by any sanctified believer who longs for victory over self.

It is an act of the will on the part of the Believer, and an act of grace on the part of God.  God will do it, but  not unless the Believer seeks it.  It is a partnership.  Or, as Baptist theologian Dr. R.G. Witty has noted, "The Christian does not ooze into this experience.  Neither is the experience to amount to a one-time event from which the Believer fails to go on to greater maturity.  It is not that maturity is impossible without it, but is is greatly hindered...much more difficult.  It does not change our positional sanctification, but it does permit the fullness of the Spirit in our lives.  The experience may not be spectacular, but it is life-changing."

A great deal of confusion exists concerning this aspect of sanctification. No doubt due in large part to the often misused term "Entire Sanctification." The following explanation and illustration is offered in the hope of further clarifying the issue.

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).

The second aspect of sanctification is not to be understood as spiritual perfectionism. For example, an individual may be in possession of all that makes for an entire or whole body---arms, legs, eyes, ears, etc., and yet not have a perfect body. Likewise, those who have sought and experienced the second aspect of sanctification are in possession of the basic minimums which make for a spiritually whole (though not perfect), person.

Furthermore, just as an entire body must be disciplined in order to bring about optimum physical conditioning, so too, considerable spiritual exercise is required for the maturing of those who have experienced sanctification in any of the first three aspects. Sanctification is to be understood as God’s plan for empowering man in the perfecting of holiness culminating in ultimate victory at the resurrection. In Chapter Four we will deal more specifically with this issue.

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (II Corinthians 7:1).

MAJOR PROBLEM NUMBER TWO: The willing desire to sin.

Solved by God's cleansing grace. The fallen nature is cleansed of the inner drive to continually sin.

Other Terms More Traditionally Applied To This Work Of Grace:

Getting sanctified, being sanctified wholly, being filled with the Spirit, the Christian rest, the fullness of the blessing, the fullness of the Spirit, sanctification, total consecration.

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of for me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things." (Philippians 3:12-15).

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on into maturity." (Hebrews 6:1).

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4).

"Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13).

We all have an imperfect brain. Our mind is prone to make mistakes, and requires long years of seasoning in order to mature properly. Some people seem to mature faster than others, while a few seem to never mature at all. Why is this? Well, partly because we are all unique, no two people can be the very same.

Some people fail to mature as a result of a lack of knowledge, or because of a lack of will. This is not a reference to bad attitudes, simple ignorance, or some biological impairment. This is a reference to the simple fact that our mind is in a fallen condition. Very often, we fail to mature in some critical area, not because we are wicked or stubborn, but only because we are not in possession of all the facts, or of all the energy necessary to make it happen.

Every person, even the brightest, is retarded in some way or another. It is perfectly human to have an imperfect intellect. Nevertheless, what is not acceptable about the fallen intellect is the sinful byproduct it may produce. Wrong attitudes, prejudice, unholy ambitions, wicked narrow-mindedness are only a few of the potentially dangerous and sinful byproducts of an imperfect intellect not under the control of the Holy Spirit.

The good news is that God has provided a solution for man's fallen intellect. This solution is sanctification. And just as in the case of the first and second aspects of sanctification, this third aspect of sanctification is a work of God's grace.

The solution for man's imperfect intellect is clearly spelled out in these words: "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything...not that I have already obtained all of this, or have been made perfect, but I press on...All of us who are mature should take such a view of things." The solution we are addressing in God's third work of sanctification (grace) is spiritual maturity.

It is clear that God does not intend for His children to remain amateurs (babes) in all things. He wants us, indeed calls us, to maturity. It is God's plan to set man's thinking apart unto Himself as holy. It is His will to set that thinking apart in such a way that each day brings us into greater maturity. In order to make this possible, God provides three essential elements that we could never get on our own, or from any source other than God.

The three essential elements of maturity are these: 1. God-given wisdom and insight as needed. 2. God-given aid in circumstances as needed. 3. God-given strength as needed (remembering, of course, that in God's sovereignty He knows our need).

These essential elements of maturity are not to be understood as merely Divine encouragement, but actual supernatural Divine intervention in the life of the sanctified. This Divine intervention, providing wisdom, aid, and strength, constitutes the process whereby God's solution for man's imperfect intellect is actually worked out in every day living. Of course, this does not mean that we become super intelligent! Neither does it mean that everyone will reach the same level of maturity...we are, after all, still human.  Only in heaven will we be completely free from the physical and mental consequences of the fall.

IMPORTANT: Again, this is not to suggest instant maturity. This work of grace operates through our humanity. God does not make puppets of His children. Maturity is a partnership with God, and the only limit in that partnership is the one we place upon ourselves. But make no mistake, genuine maturity is impossible outside of the grace of God. External habits and practices done in the power of the flesh may be passed off as maturity, but deep inside we know what we really are, as does God.

MAJOR PROBLEM NUMBER THREE: The Imperfect Intellect.

Solved by God's maturing grace. Man's imperfect intellect is provided with the essential elements necessary for genuine maturity.

Other Terms More Traditionally Applied To This Work Of Grace:

Christian maturity, growing up in Christian love, growth in grace, progressive sanctification, progressive consecration, practical sanctification.

"I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we will all be changed---in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will all be changed." (I Corinthians 15:50-52).

God knew that when man fell he would need help with the physical consequences of his sin. Since Eden, the body has been imperfect. For many, during the brief period of early youth, things can look quite good on the outside. And yet, even in the flower of youth, things are shaping up on the inside that will shape the body down on the outside in only a few years.

If external appearances were all that we had to be concerned with, life would be far less complicated, and the clothing and cosmetic industries would be even richer. However, as we all know, living in an imperfect body presents far greater difficulties than the trivial trials of exterior appearance. We cannot avoid the inevitable and inescapable reality of deterioration and death.

Nevertheless, the good news is that God has provided a solution to the problem of an imperfect body. This solution is also a work of His grace, and is the fourth aspect of sanctification.

We cannot enter heaven with an imperfect body. Therefore, God has promised a solution. He has promised to re-create our present body, replacing the imperfect with what St. Paul called: "the perishable being clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality." (Corinthians 15:53). This is a fourth and distinct aspect of God's plan for making people holy. No one deserves it, but just as with the first three aspects of sanctification, it's not a matter of being deserving, it is a matter of God's grace.

As noted at the beginning of the study, the word sanctification means "separation to God" (that is, to be made holy). Our physical body is not made of a composition suitable for heaven's glory. Yet, the Scriptures plainly teach that every sanctified person will eventually have a new body. How can this be? It can only be by God's gracious plan in the fourth aspect of sanctification---His ultimate aspect!

Yes, God has an ultimate plan to set us apart as holy. Following the material death of the physical body, God will allow the never-dying, ever-living spirit (spiritually consciousness entity of life) of the Christian to journey instantly into the presence of Jesus.  For those who long for the eradication of the fallen nature this is the moment of full release!   At this moment, and forever after, the Believer will be more intensely conscious of what it means to be alive than ever before. The Believer will remain with Jesus (in the company of countless other sanctified persons) for a period of time that no one knows but God. Then, at the proper time, God will re-create the old earthly body into a perfect composition, and reunite the spirit with the glorified body. These re-created (and perfect), bodies will then be the eternal dwelling place of the everlasting spirit of the Believer.

Of course, to our earthly mind this seems impossible, and with man it is impossible, but not with God. The Bible is quite clear on this point: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." (Philippians 3:20,21). No more pain killers, cancer cells, false teeth, toupees, or flu shots!

MAJOR PROBLEM NUMBER FOUR: The imperfect body.

Solved by God's resurrecting grace. Man's imperfect body is recreated in the likeness of the resurrected body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Other Terms More Traditionally Applied To This Work Of Grace:

The resurrection, the rapture, the resurrection of the just, glorification, ultimate sanctification.

The First Aspect of Sanctification: God sets man and his record of sin apart as holy. Man is forgiven and born-again by the Holy Spirit.

The Second Aspect of Sanctification: God sets man's fallen nature apart as holy. Man is cleansed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Third Aspect of Sanctification: God sets man's imperfect intellect apart as holy. Man is taught, strengthened and thus matured by the Holy Spirit.

The Fourth Aspect of Sanctification: God sets man's imperfect body apart as perfectly holy. The body is resurrected in the likeness of Jesus' resurrected body and reunited with the spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How incredibly plain, simple and reasonable this is. By accepting God's plan for mental and spiritual wholeness, (made possible by Jesus Christ, and administered by the Holy Spirit), man is empowered to rise above the curse of Adam and be restored to complete holiness. The solution begins here on earth where it all started, and it culminates in heaven where it was all planned. It is a perfect solution!

Q. 2. What is the first aspect of sanctification?

Q. 3. What is the second aspect of sanctification?

Q. 4. What is the third aspect of sanctification?

Q. 5. What is the fourth aspect of Sanctification?