Sanctification and God's Sovereign Work in Salvation

Sanctification is a crucial aspect of the Christian doctrine of salvation, referring to the process by which believers are set apart for God's service and conformed to the image of Christ. The term "sanctification" is derived from the biblical concept of being "sanctified" or "made holy" ^[1].

The Bible teaches that sanctification is a work of God, effected through the Holy Spirit, who brings the believer's entire being under the influence of the new principles implanted in the soul during regeneration (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19) ^[1]. This process involves separation to God's service, as seen in Psalm 4:3 and 2 Corinthians 6:17 ^[2].

The role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is emphasized in various biblical passages. According to 1 Corinthians 6:11, believers are sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. The Holy Spirit is also responsible for washing away sins and giving new life, as seen in Titus 3:5 ^[8].

The relationship between sanctification and God's sovereign work in salvation is closely tied to the doctrine of election. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:13, believers are elected to salvation through sanctification. This election is based on God's good pleasure, as stated in Ephesians 1:5 and 11 ^[6].

The process of sanctification is not limited to a single moment but is a continuous work of God in the believer's life. It involves the mortification of sin and the development of holiness, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 and Romans 6:19, 22 ^{[2, 5]}. The means by which sanctification is achieved include the Word of God and prayer, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:5 ^{[3, 4]}.

The outcome of sanctification is the transformation of the believer into a new creation, conformed to the image of Christ. This is described in Colossians 3:9-10 and Ephesians 4:24, where believers are said to have put off their old nature and put on the new nature ^{[10, 11]}.

Different Christian traditions understand the relationship between sanctification and God's sovereign work in salvation in varying ways. Some emphasize the role of human cooperation with God's grace, while others stress the sole efficacy of God's work in sanctification. For instance, the Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the sovereign work of God in sanctification, highlighting that it is a work of the Spirit that brings about holiness in the believer's life ^{[12, 13]}.

The biblical basis for sanctification is rooted in the believer's union with Christ. As seen in Ephesians 2:5-6 and Colossians 3:1-4, believers share in Christ's resurrection and are raised with Him to new life. This union with Christ is the foundation for the believer's sanctification, as they are created anew in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10) ^{[7, 9]}.

The connection between sanctification and good works is also significant. According to Ephesians 2:10, believers are created anew in Christ Jesus to do good works, which are the result, not the cause, of salvation. This understanding is reinforced by the commentary on Titus 3:5, which highlights that salvation is not because of works of righteousness but because of God's mercy ^{[8, 9]}.

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”
I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (YLT) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.”
1 Timothy “For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. -- 1 Timothy 4:5”
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.)”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done,.... The great instance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour is salvation; which the apostle denies that it is brought about by any works, even the best works of men; for "works of righteousness" are works done according to a righteous law, and in obedience to it; and in a righteous manner, from right principles of grace, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; or otherwise they are not righteous actions, or works of righteousness; wherefore not works before, but after conversion, are here meant; for works b”
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 ”

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