“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
“Can a man really live free from sin? No, not possible.” Said the gentlemen at the desk of the mortgage office. No doubt, he most certainly cannot under his own power. However, we can do all things through Christ. There is freedom from sin, and it is found through being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Throughout the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, this doctrine of sanctification is found. An incalculable amount of literature has been written on the doctrine of sanctification, and the question still lingers: What is Sanctification?
What is Sanctification? I would like to start by plainly stating what it is not:
It is not the will of man. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
It is not obtained or sustained by the merit of man. (Ephesians 2:8)
It is not a “magic wand” for all your problems. (1 Peter 2:20)
It is not for a specific group of people. (Titus 2:11 & 12)
It is not after death. (Titus 2:11 & 12)
It is not forgiveness. (Acts 26:18)
It is not something you grow into. (Acts 2: 1-4)
It is not impossible. (Philippians 4:13)
No doubt, most of the confusion surrounding this doctrine can be found based somewhere in the above eight notions; at least four of which are frequently debated among denominations today. Three are a misconception, and the final one is both. This last one I would like to focus on for the time being, the notion that Sanctification “is not impossible.”
Sanctification is very possible and very attainable. In fact, it is the very reason Jesus came and died on this earth: “Father Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) He went on to say “For their sakes I sanctify myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:19) Jesus died so that we could have holiness of heart and holiness of life. This rules out “positional or identifiable” holiness. Meaning that as long as you believe Jesus and identify with his death you're saved. Saved from all sin, no matter how much or how many sins you commit (this is false doctrine). When the Spirit of God comes into your life and sanctifies you wholly, he banishes the sin within and exposes every sin without. He tells you “no, don’t do that. Don’t go there, don’t partake in that.” When he does, you obey, and you have the power to obey because of the Holy Ghost living within. The reigning power of Jesus Christ can indeed live within any willing, forgiven, human heart and give that man or woman the power to overcome sin. It is possible to live free from sin with Jesus Christ reigning free in your life. “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8) If God can part the seas, calm the storms, hang the sun, create the world, and raise the dead…. can he not raise you out of the dead works of sin? Indeed, he can raise anyone out of sin. He can keep that which is committed unto Him against that day.
Sanctification is not a secondary course for a bold few, but it is the primary course for all who will. It is the will of God for his creation. For no other reason than this, let us insist upon being sanctified. Let us encourage the sinner, the converted, and the backslidden to press into the fullness of His grace. So that we can all boldly say “because as he is, so are we in this world.”
