Articles
Jesus, Our Sanctification
“…you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” (1Cor. 1:30). After establishing that God had made the wisdom of man foolishness by taking what seemed foolish to man and demonstrating His wisdom, Paul makes an interesting point: Jesus became sanctification to us.
Webster’s Dictionary gives a simple definition from one side of the coin, “the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion.” Vine’s more fully defines sanctification in a twofold manner – “separation to God” and “separation from evil things and ways.” Of additional interest is the connection between the words “saint” (hagios) and “sanctification” (hagiosune). Although perhaps not as clear in English, the two terms are derived from the same root!
Typically, the agent of our sanctification is identified as the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16; 2Thess. 2:13; 1Pet. 1:2). The NT likewise reveals the determination of the Father that humanity be sanctified (1Thess. 4:3a; 5:23). However, Jesus is also active in this process (1Cor. 6:11). He resolved to inaugurate and exemplify sanctification. “And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in the truth” (John 17:19). “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood” (Heb. 13:12). He loved the church and gave Himself for her that she might be sanctified by the washing of water and the word (Eph. 5:25-27).
This process of sanctification was completed at His victory over the sins of mankind. Just as the human priests of the OT were sanctified and consecrated for service (Lev. 8-10), He was sanctified for service. The implication of Jesus’ sanctification is also drawn out in Jesus’ appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus when He commissioned Paul “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).
Jesus became sanctification for us by being nailed on the cross. He separated a people for His own possession, zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Because Christ became our sanctification, our responsibility and privilege is to choose righteousness in our lives. If we will choose sanctification (Rom. 6:19, 22), Christ’s vicarious spiritual metamorphosis will not be in vain and we will rightfully lay claim to the title “saints”.
