Sanctification in Scripture means setting apart; that is, our being set apart to God.
It is a commonly-received thought, that believers in Jesus are justified by faith, and that sanctification follows; some going so far as to say that it is possible to be wholly sanctified, so as to cease from all actual sins. A few profess to have attained to this state.
But what saith the Scripture? We are spoken of, first, both as being sanctified by the Spirit, sanctified by the offering of Christ, and sanctified in Christ, when we believe. Secondly, practical sanctification follows.
Examples of the Former.
Examples of the Latter.
“Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified.”
It is of the deepest moment that you should observe and weigh this, if you would be clear on this all-important subject.
A newborn babe is complete in all its parts, as complete as a man; but it will take years to grow to manhood. So a Christian is sanctified by the Spirit, &e., and sanctified in Christ, complete in Him at starting; but needs to grow spiritually, in practical sanctification, from a babe to a young man, and from a young man to a father in the knowledge of Christ (1 John 2:1313I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1 John 2:13)).