In time, therefore, the two come together; but in thought they are distinct. And it is of the greatest importance that these distinctions be understood and kept in mind. It is by confounding justification with sanctification, and _vice versa_, that all the flagrant, soul-destroying errors concerning the so-called "higher life," "sinless perfection," etc., are promulgated and believed. It is by quoting Scripture passages that speak of justification, and applying them to sanctification, that this delusion is strengthened. How often have we not heard that precious passage, 1 John i. 7, "_The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin_," quoted to prove entire sanctification. Now, if we understand the Scriptures at all, that passage speaks of the _forgiveness_ of sin through the efficacy of Christ's blood, and not of overcoming sin in the believer, or eradicating its very fibres and impulses. But this, perhaps, is a digression. Let us understand clearly what we mean by sanctification. The English word comes from a Latin word that means sacred, consecrated, devoted to holy purposes. The Greek word translated sanctify in our English Bible also means to separate from common and set apart for holy purposes. The same word that is translated sanctify, is in many places translated consecrate, or make holy. The English word _saint_ comes from the same Latin root, and is translated from the same Greek root, as sanctify. It means a sanctified one, or one who is being sanctified. Thus we find believers called saints, or sanctified ones. We find, indeed, that the apostles call all the members of their churches saints. Thus they speak of "_the saints which are at Jerusalem_," "_The saints which are at Achaia_," "_To all that be in Rome ... called to be saints_," "_As in all the churches of the saints_." So in many other passages. In harmony with the apostolic usage, we confess in the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in the Holy Christian Church (which is) the communion--or community--of saints." If then saints means sanctified ones, or holy persons, do not the Bible and the Apostles' Creed demand perfect sinlessness? By no means. Christians are indeed to strive to constantly become more and more free from sin. They are "_called to be saints_," are constantly being sanctified or made holy. But their sanctity or holiness is only _relative_. They have indeed "_come out from the world_," to "_be separate_." They are "_a peculiar people_." They hate sin, repent of it, flee from it, strive against it, and overcome it more and more. They "_mortify the deeds of the body_," "_keep it under_," "_crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts_," "_present_--(or consecrate)--_their bodies, as living sacrifices to God_." They have pledged themselves at Christ's altar to "renounce the devil and all his works and ways, the vanities of the world and the sinful desires of the flesh, and to live up to the doctrines and precepts of Christ."