The benefits of sanctification are innumerable, and we can only hope to mention a few of them.
First. Clarified Vision: “After that He put His hands again upon His eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored and saw every man clearly.” After this man had received one touch he could see, but not clearly; he said, “I see men as trees walking.” A second touch was positively necessary in his case, in order that he might see “clearly.” We have heard of a man who had obtained the blessing of sanctification by a second experience, saying he had found a new version of the Scripture. So it has seemed to many; before being sanctified they had failed to see much in the Bible relating to sanctification or the second blessing, but after having received the experience they could see it taught in almost every chapter, and almost everywhere in the Bible. The Bible had not changed, but after having received the second touch they were enabled to “see clearly.”
Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount that purity of heart—which is the result of entire sanctification—would effect the vision. “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” Not only see God in heaven, but see Him in His word, in His people, in nature, in His providences—everywhere they can see God. In all the things that were formerly attributed to luck, or a happen—so, or a mysterious providence, the pure in heart will now see God, in His love, or justice, or faithfulness, or mercy, etc. They can now see God in everything and everything in God. “Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.”
Second. Stability: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.” The cause of the fluctuating, evanescent (quickly fading), up and down experience of multitudes, is inbred sin in the heart. The Lord removes the cause of this “wobbling” by sanctifying us wholly.
Wherever the preserving grace is mentioned, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 and Jude 1 , it is invariably preceded by and coupled with the sanctifying grace. “Sanctified—by God the Father, and preserved.” As a good housewife would not undertake to preserve fruit without first removing every speck and decayed spot, so in like manner Jesus would first sanctify and cleanse us from all sin, and then preserve us blameless. Preserved means done up so you keep. And God’s preserves will keep in all climates, in all seasons of the year and under all circumstances. “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.”
Third. Preparation for service: “A vessel unto honor sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 . According to this passage, sanctification is the preparation for every good work. The Apostles were not fully qualified for their life’s work until after they received the purification of their hearts together with the baptism with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, as a second distinct experience. “Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Here it would seem that the great object of the purging is “more fruit.” The moment the prophet Isaiah had been touched by the live coal from off the altar and heard it said “thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged,” the language of his heart was, “here am I; send me.” He did not keep his seat, because he wanted to hear others speak, according to the phraseology common in many class meetings; nor did he ask the Lord to send some one else, because they had more talent and better ability to talk, but he at once was ready to do whatever God might permit him to do. “And purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Purity precedes the zeal for good works. Sanctified people are not only prepared, but anxious to do anything the Lord would have them do. Having deliverance and rest from inward struggle with inbred sin, and its various manifestations, no more a wrestling with “flesh and blood”—the sanctified soul now has a heart and hands free to help others. Before being sanctified wholly it required all the energy and time to keep ourselves straight, with but little disposition (inclination) or grace left over to help others.