SANCTIFICATION
When we study the subject of Justification and Sanctification, we are taught that Justification is the work of a moment while Sanctification is the work of a lifetime.
We can read of this, “Again and again the necessity of living a virtuous life, of having a sanctified heart, of revealing a growing conformity to the image of Christ, must be presented to the people. Do they realize that the work of sanctification is to be the work of a lifetime? Jesus prayed that His disciples might be sanctified through the truth, and declared, ‘Thy word is truth.’ He said, ‘I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified.’” –The Review and Herald, May 24, 1892
Also, Justification is our title to heaven and Sanctification is our fitness for heaven.
“Justification means the saving of a soul from perdition, that he may obtain sanctification, and through sanctification, the life of heaven. Justification means that the conscience, purged from dead works, is placed where it can receive the blessings of sanctification (Manuscript 113, 1902).” –The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 908
So, what is Sanctification in reality? Is it a lifetime of overcoming sin, repenting, allowing God to change our character? Is it a difficult and long drawn out process? Well, it is a lifetime, so it is a long process. Is it a grueling process of self-denial? How is it obtained?
Firstly, Justification and Sanctification is impossible without the help of Christ, however it is a work of cooperation between God and man. To further explain this process we read, “The work of gaining salvation is one of co-partnership, a joint operation. There is to be co-operation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 482
And also, “A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form this union must feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful work of detachment as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity, worldliness—sin in all its forms—must be overcome if we would enter into a union with Christ. The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished idols.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 231
The union with Christ is called Justification. We make a decision to unite with Christ, repenting and turning away from sin. Sin cannot remain in the presence of a Holy God. We make a choice between our sin and God. However, once we make the decision, we are not free from the devil’s attacks. This union needs constant attention in order to be maintained.
“After the union with Christ has been formed, it can be preserved only by earnest prayer and untiring effort. We must resist, we must deny, we must conquer self. Through the grace of Christ, by courage, by faith, by watchfulness, we may gain the victory.” –Ibid., vol. 5, p. 231
It is an individual experience. One you must make for yourself.
“Believers become one in Christ, but one branch cannot be sustained by another. The nourishment must be obtained through the vital connection with the vine. We must feel our utter dependence on Christ. We must live by faith on the Son of God. That is the meaning of the injunction: ‘Abide in Me.’ The life we live in the flesh is not to the will of men, not to please our Lord’s enemies, but to serve and honour Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. A mere assent to this union, while the affections are not detached from the world, its pleasures and its dissipations, only emboldens the heart in disobedience.” –Ibid., vol. 5, p. 231
“This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3
“The Lord demands all the powers of the being. It is His design that we should be conformed to Him in will, in temper, in spirit, that the soul may hold communion with Him who is full of love, and peace, and power. God would have us keep close to the heart of Infinite Wisdom and Love. He has chosen us from eternity, that we may be holy, our consciences purged from dead works to serve the living God. The Lord gave Himself to die for us, that He might purify us from all iniquity. He will carry on His work of perfection for us if we will allow ourselves to be controlled by Him.” –The Signs of the Times, October 11, 1899
“Our sanctification is the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is the fulfillment of the covenant God has made with those who bind themselves up with Him, to stand with Him, His Son, and His Spirit in holy fellowship. Have you been born again? Have you become a new being in Christ Jesus? Then cooperate with the three great powers of heaven who are working in your behalf (Manuscript 11, 1901).” –The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 908
EVIDENCE OF SANCTIFICATION
What evidence is there of the sanctification process? From the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9–14), we see and understand that sometimes man has an incorrect idea of sanctification. The Pharisee thought himself to be sanctified, when in reality, it was the Publican who had just been justified and, if he continued to humble himself before the Lord, he would be sanctified.
This following statement reveals four different signs that indicate a person is being sanctified. “True sanctification will be evidenced by a conscientious regard for all the commandments of God, by a careful improvement of every talent, by a circumspect conversation, by revealing in every act the meekness of Christ (The Review and Herald, October 5, 1886). –Ibid., vol. 7, p. 908
Did you notice them? 1) Keep the commandments; 2) improve every talent; 3) holy conversation; 4) revealing the meekness of Christ in every act.
“Obedience to all the commandments of God is the only true sign of sanctification. Disobedience is the sign of disloyalty and apostasy (Manuscript 41, 1897).” –Ibid., vol. 7, p. 908
And, only by communion with Christ, is it possible to keep the commandments. “God’s law tolerates no sin, but demands perfect obedience. The echo of God’s voice comes to us, ever saying. Holier, holier still. And ever our answer is to be, Yes, Lord, holier still. Holiness is within the reach of all who reach for it by faith, not because of their good works, but because of Christ’s merits. Divine power is provided for every soul struggling for the victory over sin and Satan.” –Ibid., vol. 7, p. 908
COMMUNION
The most simple and concise definition of Sanctification that I found in my research was the following statement:
“Sanctification means habitual communion with God.” –The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906
It sounds simple, does it not? Habitual communion. How many of us are in the habit of communing with God 24/7 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)?
Communion is a very close and special connection. We call the Lord’s Supper Service the Communion Service. It is a time when we commune with the Lord and re-dedicate our lives to His service. The word has its roots in the word “common”. To become “common” with Christ, is to see the fulfillment of the prayer of Jesus in John 17. “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We [are].” John 17:11
So, this is what the Lord wants for us—Communion. But not just once every few months, but “habitual” communion. What is a habit? A habit is formed when we repeat an activity over and over again, thus creating new neuronal pathways in our brain so that in the future the activity is repeated spontaneously.
Habitual communion with God is just as it states: Communion that has become a habit. But in order for something to become a habit, it must be repeated many times. When we raise our children it is important that we teach them good habits as early as possible.
“Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 11:18–19
It will be habitual to think about God, the first thing in the morning, the last thing at night. And all throughout the day. In a sudden crisis, we will naturally call out to God for help, while the world will curse. Our thoughts are habitually on God.
Some people get stressed out and worry if they will ever overcome sin, or reach the state of perfection required. Our sinful nature often can seem so deplorably hopeless. If you make it a habit to commune with God, then there is no doubt.
“By communion with God we may constantly have a cultivation in mind and heart and character that will elevate us and direct our thoughts heavenward, that we may become partakers of the divine nature. We are to be human agents that will cooperate with divine intelligences. We are to be quickened under the influence of divine power, that will not only strengthen us, but attract our minds from the dust and rubbish of earth, that will set us free from the polluting, deceiving influences of the world, so that we may contemplate heavenly things. Through this influence our hearts are to be purified, our affections sanctified, and set not upon earthly things but upon heavenly things. The treasure of earth will soon pass away, and ‘what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ The soul is capable of purification and sanctification, capable of attaining, through the offering of Christ, the heavenly treasure, even the gift of life that shall measure with the life of Jehovah.” –The Signs of the Times, July 24, 1893
ENOCH
Enoch learned this habitual communion and he went to heaven without seeing death. We can cultivate this habit also if we, “Pray at home, in your family, night and morning; pray earnestly in your closet; and while engaged in your daily labor, lift up the soul to God in prayer. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. The silent, fervent prayer of the soul will rise like holy incense to the throne of grace and will be as acceptable to God as if offered in the sanctuary.” –The Adventist Home, p. 213
JOHN THE DISCIPLE
The disciple John also learned this habitual communion. “The depth and fervour of John’s affection for the Master was not the cause of Christ’s love for him, but the effect of that love. John desired to become like Jesus, and under the transforming influence of the love of Christ, he became meek and lowly of heart. Self was hid in Jesus. He was closely united to the Living Vine, and thus became a partaker of the divine nature. Such will ever be the result of communion with Christ. This is true sanctification.” –The Review and Herald, February 15, 1881
Again, “Sanctification means habitual communion with God (The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906).” –The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 908
This sums it up very simply. If we habitually commune with Christ, we will overcome sin. We will have no desire for sin or the things of this world. We will surrender our lives to Him and hunger and thirst for the words of life found in the Bible. We will let our light shine and not hide it under a bushel. The love of Christ will emanate from our very being. Although we may go through trials, our peace and happiness is not affected. We are one in Christ and Christ brings us our true peace and happiness. We will be so preoccupied with spending time with our beloved Jesus that we have eyes for nothing else. We will not want to do anything to hurt (crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [Him] to an open shame. Hebrews 6:6), or disappoint our Beloved. Make it your habit today to commune with God. Amen.
Wendy Eaton