The term, “_sanctification_,” has regard especially to the work of a complete consecration of soul and body to God. To “_sanctify_,” means to set apart; to devote to holy uses. “_Sanctify_ yourselves therefore, and be ye holy.”
The term “_perfection_,” refers especially to the completeness of Christian character; its freedom from all sin, and its possession of all the graces of the spirit; completeness in kind. “Let us go on unto perfection.”
The term perfect love points more directly to the spirit, temper, and element in which the wholly _sanctified_ and perfect Christian lives. “God is love,” and they that dwell in God, dwell in love.
In regeneration sin does not reign; in “_sanctification_,” it does not exist. In _regeneration_, sin is suspended; in _sanctification_, it is destroyed. In regeneration, irregular desires, anger, pride, unbelief, envy, malice, are subdued; in “_sanctification_,” they are removed.
Regeneration is salvation from the voluntary commission of sin; “_sanctification_” is salvation from the being of sin. “It is the will of God, even your _sanctification_.”
This state of grace is both _permissive_, and _authoritative_. The cleansing stream is in reach of every believer, and the declaration has gone out, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. It is gloriously possible to touch the hem of his garment, and be made whole every whit.” But secondly, it is the will of God in an _authoritative_ sense. He requires us, to seek entire holiness. The length and breadth of the evangelical law, is this: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and what is this but a state of entire sanctification,” and what less could God require? I believe that all real Christians accept this statement, but disagree in regard to the time when this blessed work shall be accomplished. Many putting it at, or near death, while we, upon the authority of God’s word say that _now_, is the acceptable time, “To day, is the day of salvation.” This state of grace, bears its own legitimate fruit; and when Christians love the Lord with all their hearts, love the souls of men more than their own ease, or emolument, “and love each other with pure hearts fervently,” their example speaks volumes, and preaches more effectively than words in favor of the cause they profess to love.