Hymns about Sanctification

Sanctification is the gracious work whereby God sets His people apart and conforms them to the image of His Son. Justification declares the sinner righteous; sanctification makes the justified holy in heart and life. Scripture teaches that this is both already true in Christ and progressively wrought by the Spirit. Hymns of sanctification give voice to longing for holiness and to dependence upon divine help.

The holiness of the Christian is never self-made. It flows from union with Christ and from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who produces fruit unto righteousness. Related subjects such as the Holiness of God and Consecration keep the standard high and the offering personal. Hymnody in this field often prays for clean hands and a pure heart, for victory over besetting sin, and for a walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called.

These songs serve well in services of commitment, in seasons of renewal, and whenever the church would answer gospel preaching with surrendered lives. They caution against both carelessness and pride: the believer fights sin earnestly yet rests in grace. In private devotion, sanctification hymns become prayers that the Word would dwell richly and that the will would be yielded.

Holy living is the beauty of holiness lived out among the saints. May these hymns stir desire for that beauty, always pointing beyond moral effort to the God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.