Attributes of God Revealed through Sanctification Process
Sanctification is the process by which individuals are set apart for God's service and progressively conformed to His character [2]. This work is attributed to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [2]. It involves more than a moral reformation; it is the Holy Spirit bringing the entire nature of a person under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration, carrying this work to perfection [1].
The sanctification process reveals several attributes of God:
- Holiness: God's holiness is a foundational attribute revealed through sanctification. The call to sanctification is a call to reflect God's own holy nature [8]. The phrase "Holy, holy, holy" in scripture emphasizes God's ultimate holiness [8]. Sanctification is a separation to the service of God [2], implying a separation from sin and a dedication to what is pure, mirroring God's character.
- Power (Omnipotence): Sanctification is "effected by God" [2], demonstrating His power to transform individuals. It is the work of the Holy Spirit [1], who searches "the deep things of God" [5] and applies them to the believer, indicating divine power at work in the human soul.
- Wisdom: God's wisdom is evident in the design of sanctification. The process involves the word of God [2], which is a means through which sanctification occurs (John 17:17, 19; Ephesians 5:26) [2]. God's wisdom is also praised (Daniel 2:20; Jude 1:25) [3], and the intricate process of spiritual growth reflects this attribute.
- Goodness and Mercy: God's goodness and mercy are revealed as He draws near to those who seek Him, meeting them in their approach [7]. Sanctification is a gracious work [1], not merely a human effort, underscoring God's benevolent disposition. His mercy is a cause for praise (Psalm 89:1; 118:1-4) [3], and the provision of sanctification is an act of divine kindness.
- Faithfulness: God's faithfulness is demonstrated as He carries on the work begun in regeneration to perfection [1]. The promises of God are "exceeding great" and "precious" [6], and these promises are the object of faith, having a sanctifying effect [6]. God's faithfulness and truth are reasons to glorify Him (Isaiah 25:1) [4].
- Glory: The ultimate purpose of sanctification is to glorify God [4]. Individuals are called to glorify God for His holiness, mercy, truth, and wondrous works [4]. Christ himself set an example of glorifying God (John 17:4) [4]. The church is made glorious by sanctification (Ephesians 5:26-27) [2], reflecting God's own glory.
Sanctification is a continuous process that extends to the "whole man" [1], leading to the mortification of sin [2]. It is a process through which God's attributes are not only revealed but also increasingly reflected in the lives of those undergoing it.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:10: But God hath revealed them unto us - A manifest proof that the apostle speaks here of the glories of the Gospel, and not of the glories of the future world. For the Spirit searcheth all things - This is the Spirit of God, which spoke by the prophets, and has now given to the apostles the fullness of that heavenly truth, of which He gave to the former only the outlines. Yea, the deep things of God - It is only the Spirit of God which can reveal the counsels of God: these are the purposes which have existed in His infinite wisdom and goodness from eternity; and”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:4: Whereby, &c.--By His glory and virtue: His glory making the "promises" to be exceeding great; His virtue making them "precious" [BENGEL]. Precious promises are the object of precious faith. given--The promises themselves are a gift: for God's promises are as sure as if they were fulfilled. by these--promises. They are the object of faith, and even now have a sanctifying effect on the believer, assimilating him to God. Still more so, when they shall be fulfilled. might, &c.--Greek, "that ye MAY become partakers of the divine nature," even now in p”
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 4:8: Draw nigh to God - Approach Him, in the name of Jesus, by faith and prayer, and he will draw nigh to you - he will meet you at your coming. When a soul sets out to seek God, God sets out to meet that soul; so that while we are drawing near to him, he is drawing near to us. The delicacy and beauty of these expressions are, I think, but seldom noted. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners - This I think to be the beginning of a new address, and to different persons; and should have formed the commencement of a new verse. Let your whole conduct be changed; cease to do evil learn”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 4:8: 4:8 day and night: The four beings ceaselessly praised God’s basic characteristics: his holiness, his power (the Almighty), and his eternity (see study note on 1:4). • Holy, holy, holy comes from Isa 6:3 and is the highest worship affirmation in Scripture. To double something makes it emphatic; to triple it makes it ultimate.”