God's Sovereignty in the Sanctification Journey

The concept of God's sovereignty in the sanctification journey is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize God's active role in the process of making believers holy. Sanctification is understood as the work of the Holy Spirit, carrying on the work begun in regeneration, extending to the whole person ^[1]. This process is closely tied to God's sovereignty, as it involves His absolute right to do all things according to His own good pleasure ^[3].

The biblical basis for understanding sanctification and God's sovereignty can be seen in various passages. For instance, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 states, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" ^[8]. This indicates that sanctification is not only a human endeavor but is fundamentally God's will for believers. The process of sanctification is effected by God, with Christ being made sanctification to believers, and the Holy Spirit carrying out this work ^[2].

Different Christian traditions interpret the role of God's sovereignty in sanctification in nuanced ways. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the prayer of Jesus for the sanctification of His disciples, highlighting the role of God's truth and word in this process ^[6]. In John 17:17, Jesus prays, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" ^[6]. This underscores the importance of scripture in the sanctification process.

The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in the commentary of John Gill, also emphasizes the sovereignty of God in sanctification. Gill notes that sanctification is a work of the Spirit of God, involving a principle of spiritual life in the soul and the implantation of every grace in the heart ^[8]. This tradition highlights the role of God's sovereignty in the believer's life, including the aspect of sanctification.

In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox tradition, represented by John Chrysostom, views sanctification as "the Laver, the Purification," emphasizing the role of baptism and the loving-kindness of God in the sanctification process ^[9]. This perspective underscores the communal and sacramental aspects of sanctification.

The Presbyterian tradition, as reflected in the commentary on 1 Peter, emphasizes the importance of sanctifying Christ as Lord in one's heart, indicating a personal and relational aspect of sanctification ^[5].

The interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in sanctification is a complex one. While God's sovereignty is seen as the primary factor in initiating and sustaining the sanctification process, human cooperation through faith, obedience, and the pursuit of holiness is also acknowledged across various traditions.

The sanctification journey is thus understood as a divine-human collaboration, with God's sovereignty ensuring its efficacy and completion. As the believer grows in holiness, they are conformed to the will of God, reflecting the holiness that belongs to God Himself ^[4].

The ultimate goal of sanctification is the glorification of believers, as Jesus prayed in John 17:24, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am" ^[7]. This glorification is a culmination of the sanctification process, where believers are fully conformed to Christ and enjoy the presence of God.

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”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:17: The next thing he prayed for for them was that they might be sanctified; not only kept from evil, but made good. I. Here is the petition (Joh 17:17): Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth; it is true - it is truth itself. He desires they may be sanctified, 1. As Christians. Father, make them holy, and this will be their preservation, Th1 5:23. Observe here, (1.) The grace desired - sanctification. The disciples were sanctified, for they were not of the world; yet he prays, Father sanctify them, that is, [1.] "Confirm the work of s”
John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:24: Here is, I. A petition for the glorifying of all those that were given to Christ (Joh 17:24), not only these apostles, but all believers: Father, I will that they may be with me. Observe, 1. The connection of this request with those foregoing. He had prayed that God would preserve, sanctify, and unite them; and now he prays that he would crown all his gifts with their glorification. In this method we must pray, first for grace, and then for glory (Psa 84:11); for in this method God gives. Far be it from the only wise God to come under the imputation either of that ”
1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”

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