“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).
The word holy, as we have learned from our study of Exodus, refers to persons and objects that have been set apart from their common sphere and placed in a particular relation to God. The root of the Hebrew word for holiness means “to separate,” and therefore indicates apartness or separateness. In Exodus 3:5, the ground is called “holy” because it has been set apart for God’s service. Throughout Exodus, we read of holy assemblies, sabbaths, coats, fields, censers, bread, and various other items set apart from common use.
In each of these cases, the word “holy” does not signify an ethical attribute, but indicates that the objects and persons are consecrated unto the Lord and to His service. This relationship, of course, is not sustained by the objects and persons themselves, but is maintained by God. Because of sin, all of creation is separated from God, and so by nature we are opposed to Him. Therefore, all of creation is profane and unfit for His service and for communion with Him. Only by His sanctifying power can anything be made fit to serve Him. This is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, who is represented by the anointing oil in the tabernacle. Only when this oil was spread over all the objects were they considered “holy.”
Fallen human beings are unable to sanctify themselves. No matter how much they wash themselves, they cannot make themselves pure and undefiled. God made this point to Israel when He said that, though they wash themselves with soap, they will not be clean. Only the Lord Himself can wash us and make us fit to come into His presence. David recognized this when he prayed in Psalm 51 for the Lord to wash him and make him clean, then and only then would he know the joy of God’s salvation.
God sanctifies. It was He who sanctified the nation of Israel, the priests, the temple, and the altar. He was the one who chose the men who would serve Him, and He was the one who declared, “I am the LORD who sanctifies you” (Ex. 31:13). Those whom God sanctifies are chosen from among others, separated unto Him, and dedicated to His service by certain regulations. He separated the people of Israel by choosing them from all the nations of the earth, by making a covenant with them, and by giving them His laws to obey.
If you cannot sanctify yourself, how can you hope to be pure enough to please God? Do you rely on your good works, or on the righteousness of Christ to be approved by God? Though God sanctifies you, as one set apart for His service, you are to obey His laws. What then is the relation between personal obedience and holiness?
