Holiness in an Unholy World 17. Itself Sanctification is the cleansing of our natures from the pollution of sin. There is a spiritual defilement in sin. Sin in Scripture is compared to blood, wounds, sores, leprosy, scum, loathsome diseases and such evil things. From sin we must be washed, purged, purified and cleansed.
Believers find sin shameful, and abhor and loathe themselves because of it.
Some think the defilement of sin lies in guilt with shame and fear. The holiness of God is the infinite, absolute perfection of his nature. He is the eternal blueprint and pattern of truth, uprightness and right behavior in all his moral creatures. God commands us to be holy, even as he is holy. Therefore he loathes sin and the defilement of sin which is revealed by the law.