As did the apostle Paul so will every true servant of Christ be careful to proclaim all the Bible truths in such a way that believers will lead a well pleasing life unto the Lord, “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:16).

The experience of sanctification is a part of the proclamation of the full gospel. The following text certainly cannot be misunderstood, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord …” (Heb. 12:14). The text is to be taken very seriously. Those who believed and are justified and had experienced the renewing and the new birth, are told that they will not see the Lord without holiness. That is to say, they cannot have part in the first resurrection, the transformation, and the rapture, and, therefore, they will not participate at the wedding supper of the Lamb. But this is our great aim and the highest goal. Those who believe would like to see Him, being transformed into His image (1 Jn. 3:2-3). At that time only, it will be fulfilled what our Lord had said in the sermon on the Mountain, “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:8).

The redeemed are purified and sanctified through the Spirit in God’s holy Word. They believe the promises God made and see them fulfilled accordingly. “Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1). In the previous chapter, we are told who this group is: they heed to God’s warning, they come out from all unscriptural teachings and walk with God. They are truly His people. They are called out, and therefore, reject everything which does not originate in God. They also observe the admonition, “… and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:16-18).

In the first verse, two spheres are spoken of. The one concerns transgressions of the body and the other transgressions of the spirit which stain the soul. Holiness includes the whole man. Christ who loves His church dearly and has given Himself a ransom has also said what the purpose is, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Eph. 5:26-27).

In such a state, the redeemed will have to meet their Redeemer. In this holiness, we are told about the “washing of water by the Word”.
The wording can be easily understood. Not only a sprinkling of a few words here and there, but a total immersion into the fullness of God’s Word which is Spirit and Life. The whole man with soul, spirit, and body, is brought under subjection to the Word, and therefore, the will of God is being done by the believer, not as a must, but freely and wilfully. This washing of water by the Word cleans us from all unscriptural traditions, from all habits, and delivers us from all bondages. Our Lord says, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (Jn. 15:3). By comparing our lives with the Word, we realise whatever is not according to the will of God and then adjust our lives accordingly.

Cleansing by the Word and Spirit can only be possible when someone totally submits to the Word. Jesus, our Lord, is not only made for our redemption but, He is also our righteousness and holiness (1 Cor. 1:30). Right after this text we read as follows, “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (vs. 31). Those who have experienced God in such deepness have no place for self-exaltation because they know it was not their doing but His. Therefore, He alone is to be praised, and all honour goes only to Him. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 5:10). God cared for everything and He prepared even those things which we later should do. We only need to walk therein.

Jesus sets before us the truth of what holiness really means and shows how He already took care of it. “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth … And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (Jn. 17:17-19). A valid sanctification before God can only be in the Word of truth which is holy in itself. All our own efforts without obedience to the Word are in vain.

In the Holy Scriptures the term “holy” is presented first in reference to God alone. He is the holy One. Then all things which come forth from Him are holy. Also such things He uses are holy. His people are a holy people (Ex. 19:6). His priests are holy, because of their calling and dedication (Lev. 21). The high priest had engraved “Holiness to the Lord” (Ex. 28:36). Only in connection with Him can things and people be holy and separated unto Him for special service.

The prophet Isaiah had a tremendous experience when he saw the Lord upon His throne and heard the heavenly beings cry: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isa. 6:3). The apostle John records a similar experience when he saw the Lord on the throne, “… and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Rev. 4:8). The holy and perfect God makes perfectly holy. He separates, He calls out, and He makes the redeemed participate in Himself. “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren …” (Heb. 2:11).

Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is also called the holy One of God, because He proceeded from the holy God. The new life which one receives from God is indeed the life of Jesus Christ with all His holy attributes. Therefore, true holiness comes through the Word of God. “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:16).

Over and again the apostle Paul writes to the believing churches consisting of the holy and beloved.

“… to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints …” (1 Cor. 1:2).

“… to the saints who are at Ephesus …” (Eph. 1:1).

“… to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi …” (Phil. 1:1).

“Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” (Col. 3:12).

With God all things are possible. He already sees the redeemed as called out, purified, sanctified and as His special possession. We are holy because we have taken the holy Word of God into our hearts and lives. His presence sanctifies His people. The apostle Paul writes of sanctification in connection with faith and truth (2 Th. 2:13).

Whoever did not experience Jesus Christ in the same way as the believers did at the beginning of Christianity, is without God’s life even though he may withdraw and separate himself from all earthly pleasures and try to be holy. Only after we have experienced the grace of God, been called out and separated from worldly things, having received the new birth and are made God’s property, then we are sanctified by His holy presence. Those who totally dedicate themselves and are obedient to Him, respecting His Word can only be sanctified in the truth. Those who experience conversion and are called with this high calling for a specific purpose will not participate in any worldly pleasures, because it is written, “And the world passeth away, and the lust of it; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 Jn. 2:17). This does not only include the things found in the ten commandments and other ordinances but it also includes the personal life preached in the sermon on the Mount, in the gospels and in the epistles. Those sanctified by God carry His Word in their hearts. They are ready to comply with the same and do all that He requires.

The apostle Paul addresses such believers with the following statement, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1 Th. 5:23-24).

The Holy Scripture does not know anything about the Catholic practice of the beatification and canonisation. It also knows not about the calling upon those who died that are supposed to be holy ones and the patrons. This practice is just calming down and misleading. Millions of people call upon such saint patrons who actually are not in existence. We are told to call directly upon God and not upon some people who passed away. Whoever is told about this practice will come to know that it is connected to the superstitious belief of the far eastern religions who claim to be in contact with their ancestors. True blessings and holiness come only from the blessed and holy God. Whoever is not blessed and holy in his lifetime here will certainly not be after death. Prayers for the deceased are also unscriptural and of no avail.

The apostle Peter admonishes the believers in view of the great and glorious day which will come, “Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God …” (2 Pet. 3:11-12).

It must be emphasised that our own efforts will not be sufficient. Sanctification is God’s gracious work in us. We say “yes” to Him and receive all His Word and live accordingly. Holiness is possible because of the redemption when Christ so willingly offered Himself. “By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10).

As did the apostle Paul so will every true servant of Christ be careful to proclaim all the Bible truths in such a way that believers will lead a well pleasing life unto the Lord, “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:16).

The experience of sanctification is a part of the proclamation of the full gospel. The following text certainly cannot be misunderstood, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord …” (Heb. 12:14). The text is to be taken very seriously. Those who believed and are justified and had experienced the renewing and the new birth, are told that they will not see the Lord without holiness. That is to say, they cannot have part in the first resurrection, the transformation, and the rapture, and, therefore, they will not participate at the wedding supper of the Lamb. But this is our great aim and the highest goal. Those who believe would like to see Him, being transformed into His image (1 Jn. 3:2-3). At that time only, it will be fulfilled what our Lord had said in the sermon on the Mountain, “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:8).

The redeemed are purified and sanctified through the Spirit in God’s holy Word. They believe the promises God made and see them fulfilled accordingly. “Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1). In the previous chapter, we are told who this group is: they heed to God’s warning, they come out from all unscriptural teachings and walk with God. They are truly His people. They are called out, and therefore, reject everything which does not originate in God. They also observe the admonition, “… and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:16-18).

In the first verse, two spheres are spoken of. The one concerns transgressions of the body and the other transgressions of the spirit which stain the soul. Holiness includes the whole man. Christ who loves His church dearly and has given Himself a ransom has also said what the purpose is, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Eph. 5:26-27).

In such a state, the redeemed will have to meet their Redeemer. In this holiness, we are told about the “washing of water by the Word”.
The wording can be easily understood. Not only a sprinkling of a few words here and there, but a total immersion into the fullness of God’s Word which is Spirit and Life. The whole man with soul, spirit, and body, is brought under subjection to the Word, and therefore, the will of God is being done by the believer, not as a must, but freely and wilfully. This washing of water by the Word cleans us from all unscriptural traditions, from all habits, and delivers us from all bondages. Our Lord says, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (Jn. 15:3). By comparing our lives with the Word, we realise whatever is not according to the will of God and then adjust our lives accordingly.

Cleansing by the Word and Spirit can only be possible when someone totally submits to the Word. Jesus, our Lord, is not only made for our redemption but, He is also our righteousness and holiness (1 Cor. 1:30). Right after this text we read as follows, “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (vs. 31). Those who have experienced God in such deepness have no place for self-exaltation because they know it was not their doing but His. Therefore, He alone is to be praised, and all honour goes only to Him. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 5:10). God cared for everything and He prepared even those things which we later should do. We only need to walk therein.

Jesus sets before us the truth of what holiness really means and shows how He already took care of it. “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth … And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (Jn. 17:17-19). A valid sanctification before God can only be in the Word of truth which is holy in itself. All our own efforts without obedience to the Word are in vain.

In the Holy Scriptures the term “holy” is presented first in reference to God alone. He is the holy One. Then all things which come forth from Him are holy. Also such things He uses are holy. His people are a holy people (Ex. 19:6). His priests are holy, because of their calling and dedication (Lev. 21). The high priest had engraved “Holiness to the Lord” (Ex. 28:36). Only in connection with Him can things and people be holy and separated unto Him for special service.

The prophet Isaiah had a tremendous experience when he saw the Lord upon His throne and heard the heavenly beings cry: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isa. 6:3). The apostle John records a similar experience when he saw the Lord on the throne, “… and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Rev. 4:8). The holy and perfect God makes perfectly holy. He separates, He calls out, and He makes the redeemed participate in Himself. “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren …” (Heb. 2:11).

Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is also called the holy One of God, because He proceeded from the holy God. The new life which one receives from God is indeed the life of Jesus Christ with all His holy attributes. Therefore, true holiness comes through the Word of God. “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:16).

Over and again the apostle Paul writes to the believing churches consisting of the holy and beloved.

“… to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints …” (1 Cor. 1:2).

“… to the saints who are at Ephesus …” (Eph. 1:1).

“… to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi …” (Phil. 1:1).

“Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” (Col. 3:12).

With God all things are possible. He already sees the redeemed as called out, purified, sanctified and as His special possession. We are holy because we have taken the holy Word of God into our hearts and lives. His presence sanctifies His people. The apostle Paul writes of sanctification in connection with faith and truth (2 Th. 2:13).

Whoever did not experience Jesus Christ in the same way as the believers did at the beginning of Christianity, is without God’s life even though he may withdraw and separate himself from all earthly pleasures and try to be holy. Only after we have experienced the grace of God, been called out and separated from worldly things, having received the new birth and are made God’s property, then we are sanctified by His holy presence. Those who totally dedicate themselves and are obedient to Him, respecting His Word can only be sanctified in the truth. Those who experience conversion and are called with this high calling for a specific purpose will not participate in any worldly pleasures, because it is written, “And the world passeth away, and the lust of it; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 Jn. 2:17). This does not only include the things found in the ten commandments and other ordinances but it also includes the personal life preached in the sermon on the Mount, in the gospels and in the epistles. Those sanctified by God carry His Word in their hearts. They are ready to comply with the same and do all that He requires.

The apostle Paul addresses such believers with the following statement, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1 Th. 5:23-24).

The Holy Scripture does not know anything about the Catholic practice of the beatification and canonisation. It also knows not about the calling upon those who died that are supposed to be holy ones and the patrons. This practice is just calming down and misleading. Millions of people call upon such saint patrons who actually are not in existence. We are told to call directly upon God and not upon some people who passed away. Whoever is told about this practice will come to know that it is connected to the superstitious belief of the far eastern religions who claim to be in contact with their ancestors. True blessings and holiness come only from the blessed and holy God. Whoever is not blessed and holy in his lifetime here will certainly not be after death. Prayers for the deceased are also unscriptural and of no avail.

The apostle Peter admonishes the believers in view of the great and glorious day which will come, “Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God …” (2 Pet. 3:11-12).

It must be emphasised that our own efforts will not be sufficient. Sanctification is God’s gracious work in us. We say “yes” to Him and receive all His Word and live accordingly. Holiness is possible because of the redemption when Christ so willingly offered Himself. “By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10).