Sanctification and the Christian's Inheritance in Scripture

Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God's service and progressively conformed to His will ^{[2, 5]}. It involves more than a superficial moral improvement; it is a work of the Holy Spirit that brings the entire person increasingly under the influence of the new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration ^[1]. This process extends to the whole individual, encompassing their thoughts, actions, and desires ^[1].

The concept of sanctification is deeply rooted in Scripture. The Apostle Paul, in Acts 20:32, entrusts believers "to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" ^[3]. This verse links sanctification directly to receiving an inheritance. The New Testament consistently presents sanctification as a work of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit ^[2]. God Himself effects sanctification (Ezekiel 37:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23), as does Christ (Hebrews 2:11; 13:12), and particularly the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11) ^[2]. The Word of God also plays a crucial role in this process, as Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth" (John 17:17, 19) ^{[2, 8]}.

Sanctification is understood as the carrying on to perfection the work that began in regeneration ^[1]. It is a gradual development, often encountering hindrances, which necessitates watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance from believers ^[5]. John Chrysostom notes that sanctification is not achieved by human good deeds but by God's loving-kindness, reminding believers of their prior uncleanness from which they were freed ^[12]. Calvin further explains that the sanctification of all good things, including sustenance, occurs "by the word of God and prayer" ^[9].

The Christian's inheritance is a central theme connected to sanctification. This inheritance is what God has promised to His people ^[6]. In the Old Testament, it often referred to the land and blessings given to Abraham's descendants ^[7]. In the New Testament, the inheritance takes on a spiritual dimension, encompassing salvation and final deliverance ^[6]. It is described as an "incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away" inheritance, reserved in heaven for believers ^[10]. Believers are considered heirs as a result of being "begotten again" ^[10]. This inheritance is received "among all those who are sanctified" ^[3].

The inheritance is not merely a future hope but is already a title for the believer, with the full possession being a future certainty ^[10]. It is a gift of God's grace, received through faith ^[4]. The blessing of Abraham, which includes justification by faith, redemption from the curse of the law, remission of sins, and the promise of the Holy Spirit, is part of this inheritance ^[7]. The Scriptures themselves are considered a heritage for believers, testifying of Christ and God's grace ^[11]. The ultimate purpose of this inheritance and the sanctification that leads to it is "to the praise of his glory," prompting believers to ascribe all to God's grace and give thanks for His benefits ^[13].

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”
Acts “Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. -- Acts 20:32”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Adoption — Explained -- 2Co 6:18. Is according to promise -- Ro 9:8; Ga 3:29. Is by faith -- Ga 3:7,26. Is of God's grace -- Eze 16:3-6; Ro 4:16,17; Eph 1:5,6,11. Is through Christ -- Joh 1:12; Ga 4:4,5; Eph 1:5; Heb 2:10,13. Saints predestinated to -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:5,11. Of Gentiles, predicted -- Ho 2:23; Ro 9:24-26; Eph 3:6. The Adopted are gathered together in one by Christ -- Joh 11:52. New birth connected with -- Joh 1:12,13. The Holy Spirit is a Witness of -- Ro 8:16. Being led by the Spirit is an evidence of -- Ro 8:14. Saints receive the Spirit of -- Ro 8:15”
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.)”
Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:12: 1:12-13 always thanking the Father: Humble gratitude to God for salvation is a powerful antidote to the lure of false teaching (see also 2:7; 3:17; 4:2). • The inheritance is what God has promised his people (e.g., see Deut 3:28; Ps 33:12; Ezek 44:28). In the New Testament, the inheritance consists of salvation and final deliverance (see also Eph 1:11; Titus 3:7; Heb 9:15).”
Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 28:4: Give thee the blessing of Abraham - May he confirm the inheritance with all its attendant blessings to thee, to the exclusion of Esau; as he did to me, to the exclusion of Ishmael. But, according to St. Paul, much more than this is certainly intended here, for it appears, from Gal 3:6-14, that the blessing of Abraham, which is to come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, comprises the whole doctrine of justification by faith, and its attendant privileges, viz., redemption from the curse of the law, remission of sins, and the promise of the Holy Spirit, including”
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”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 16.10: to us; for we must always look at the appointment of God, both what he commands and what he forbids. 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer This is the confirmation of the preceding clause, if it be received with Thanksgiving . And it is an argument drawn from contrast; for “holy” and “profane” are things contrary to each other. Let us now see what is the sanctification of all good things, which belong to the sustenance of the present life. Paul testifies that it consists of “the word of God and prayer.” But it ou”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:4: To an inheritance--the object of our "hope" (Pe1 1:3), which is therefore not a dead, but a "living" hope. The inheritance is the believer's already by title, being actually assigned to him; the entrance on its possession is future, and hoped for as a certainty. Being "begotten again" as a "son," he is an "heir," as earthly fathers beget children who shall inherit their goods. The inheritance is "salvation" (Pe1 1:5, Pe1 1:9); "the grace to be brought at the revelation of Christ" (Pe1 1:13); "a crown of glory that fadeth not away." incorruptible--not”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:107: Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever,.... The Scriptures, which testify of Christ and of his grace, and of the mind and will of God, are a portion of themselves; and a goodly heritage they are, better than thousands of gold and silver, preferable to all worldly inheritances; as they have been to many, who have forsaken all for Christ and his Gospel. These, like an inheritance, have been transmitted from father to son, from one age of the church to another, in successive generations; nor shall they depart from her, nor from her seed and seed's seed, ”
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”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:12: That we should be to the praise of his glory,.... This is the end of predestination to the inheritance; and the sense is, either that the praise of the glory of God, in his grace and goodness, might be discovered and made known unto the saints, as it is displayed in election, redemption, justification, pardon, adoption, regeneration, and eternal salvation; or that they should praise and glorify him on account of these things, by ascribing all to his grace, and nothing to themselves; by giving him thanks for all his benefits; by ordering their conversations aright a”

Ask Your Own Question