What Is Entire Sanctification

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Paul prays that the Thessalonian Christians might be sanctified through and through.  From its beginnings in 1908 this has also been the cry of Nazarenes worldwide, that they might be entirely sanctified.  The question before us is what is this doctrine of entire sanctification that Nazarenes hold so dear?

Preparation for Heaven

To explain the doctrine of entire sanctification, let us look at the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 22:1-14.  In this parable a wedding feast is being prepared for the son of the king.  Those who had been invited did not choose to attend, so the king invited the less desirable in his kingdom.  Only one catch, they must be dressed in their wedding garments.

This is a parable concerning entrance into Heaven.  The wedding feast refers to the day believers shall be gathered in Heaven at the throne of God.  The people there are not the ones we would expect, they are those who appeared in life to be undesirable, sinners of all types, but there is something else, these sinners have become clean, they have been washed and clothed in garments fitting Heaven.  They are clothed in righteousness and holiness.

Cleansing

The cleansing begins as we accept Christ as our Savior.  1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  At that moment Jesus comes and we find complete forgiveness for all our sins.

With salvation we begin to see our lives becoming clean.  We begin to put off the old ways of doing things.  People begin to see that there is something different in our lives.

But the cleansing must be more than skin deep.  Matthe15:16-20 reminds us that sin is not an external thing.  Sin actually springs from a sinful heart.

Our Sinful Nature

God’s word refers to the problem in ur hearts as our sinful nature (Romans 8:4).  It is that self-centeredness that has been a part of humanity since that first sin in the Garden of Eden.

While this sinful nature remains there is a constant struggle in us to surrender to God’s will.  In Galatians 5:16-17 we read, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”

Yet, there is hope.  Romans 8:1-4 tells us that the sinful nature can be destroyed freeing us to live according to the Spirit of God.  Then we can say that we are completely cleansed of all sin.

Filled With the Holy Spirit

But that is not the end, for that is only the cleaning.  Entire sanctification is a cleansing, but as we following our example of preparing for a wedding, it is also about what we put on.  Eph. 4:22-24 tells us that we are to put on a new self.

The putting on begins with our heart.  As we are cleansed of all sin we are freed to receive the Holy Spirit in all of its fullness (Acts 2:4). 

As the Holy Spirit comes and fills our lives the hearts that were once filled with self-centeredness are now filled with love.  We find that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40).

This has been termed perfect love by many holiness preachers.  This does not mean we perfectly express our love, but it does mean that in our hearts is pure love driving our actions.

Empowering

So far, however we have dealt with the inside, cleansing and filling, but as the inside is cleansed and filled with the Holy Spirt, the outside will reflect the new inside.

Following our image of preparing for the wedding, we now urn to what we put on.  Galatians 5:22-23 says. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

With the cleansing of the sinful nature and enfilling by the Holy Spirit, we are now free to live lives of righteousness and holiness.  We have truly put off the old self and have put on the new.

New Purpose

But there is more than just a change in the way we look on the outside.  There is also a new purpose to our lives.  Acts 1:8 promises that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit fills our lives, but this Spirit has a purpose.

As we are filled with the Holy Spirit and our hearts are transformed in love, God’s purpose in this world begins to become clear.  We find that His goal is the redemption of sinful humanity.

We also discover that this goal becomes ours.  We share in the desire of His heart, and with the coming of that desire God also empowers us to be a part of His mission to bring redemption to sinful humanity.  This empowering includes the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are given to believers.

A Second Work

We consider when entire sanctification takes place in the life of believers.  There are some who believe that everything takes place when we are saved.  This, however, is not consistent with scripture or experience.

When Paul prays that the Thessalonians be sanctified he is not praying for sinners but model Christians ( 1Thess. 1:7).  But Paul says something is lacking (3:10).  This is their entire sanctification ( 5:23-24).

Another example is the Ephesian Christians.  To these believers he gives the instruction to put on their new selves (Eph. 4:212-24).

The greatest example, however, is in our own experience.  We discover that God’s word is true.  Even after we are saved there is still something missing.  When the initial excitement is over we find ourselves torn between our will and doing God’s will.    Clearly we are not entirely sanctified.  The good news is we can be.

How to be Sanctified Entirely

If you desire this sanctification, the place to start is to realize your need.  If you are not sanctified, face the facts and admit where you are spiritually.

Next, admit God’s word is true.  Accept no gospel less than the full gospel that includes entire sanctification.

Then consecrate your life, or surrender your life to God.  Let him have control of all your life.  Hold nothing back.  He cannot sanctify what you are unwilling to surrender to Him.

Finally, by faith receive this work just as you did salvation.  Remember, “The One who calls you is faithful.  And He will do it. (1Thess. 5:22).”

If you desire to know more about entire sanctification, speak to your pastor.  They would love to help you discover all that God has for you.