Sanctification is a central part of the Christian journey. It’s a process that begins the moment we come to faith in Christ and continues throughout our lives. But what does sanctification actually mean, and how does it impact the life of a believer? Understanding sanctification can provide clarity on how God works within us to shape and transform us into His image, bringing our lives into alignment with His will.
Understanding Sanctification: Set Apart for God
At its core, sanctification means “to be set apart.” When we come to faith, we are set apart by God for His purposes, a concept rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. The Apostle Paul explains in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” This shows that sanctification isn’t optional; it’s God’s intention for every believer. While salvation rescues us from the penalty of sin, sanctification is God’s ongoing work to free us from sin’s power in our lives.
Sanctification is both an immediate position and a progressive process. The Bible speaks of believers as being “sanctified” (1 Corinthians 6:11), which means that, in one sense, we are already set apart as holy. However, it also describes sanctification as a journey, where we grow daily in holiness and reflect Christ more fully (Philippians 1:6).
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification
Sanctification is not something we accomplish by sheer willpower; it’s a work of the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as our Helper, saying, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, teaches us truth, and empowers us to live according to God’s standards.
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul describes the “fruit of the Spirit”—qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues are evidence of sanctification, showing that the Spirit is at work in our lives. Sanctification is not about striving to meet impossible standards on our own; it’s about cooperating with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.
Growing in Christlikeness: The Goal of Sanctification
The ultimate purpose of sanctification is to make us more like Christ. Romans 8:29 tells us that God’s desire is for us “to be conformed to the image of his Son.” This transformation is both inward and outward. Inwardly, sanctification changes our desires, making us want what God wants. Outwardly, it affects our actions, guiding us to live in a way that honors Him.
This process requires us to put off the “old self” and to put on the “new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Sanctification is a daily choice to follow God’s will, surrendering our own desires and aligning ourselves with His Word.
The Struggle with Sin and the Hope of Victory
While sanctification draws us closer to God’s holiness, it does not mean that we become sinless in this life. Paul himself confessed the struggle, saying, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). Sanctification involves this ongoing struggle against sin. However, the promise of Scripture is that God will continue the work He started in us (Philippians 1:6). He is patient and gracious, guiding us toward victory over sin.
1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Though we stumble, sanctification includes learning to rely on God’s forgiveness and grace, trusting that He is continually working in us.
How to Actively Participate in Sanctification
Sanctification is God’s work, but it also requires our cooperation. Scripture calls us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12-13). This means we are active participants in our spiritual growth. Here are practical ways to cooperate with God in this process:
- Prayer and Dependence on God: Ask God to help you grow, recognizing that you need His strength daily.
- Studying God’s Word: The Bible is essential for our growth. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Scripture renews our minds and keeps us grounded in truth.
- Fellowship and Accountability: Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage you, pray with you, and provide accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us not to neglect meeting together, as it spurs us on in love and good deeds.
- Confession and Repentance: Regularly confessing sins keeps our hearts soft and open to God’s correction. James 5:16 encourages us to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
- Serving Others: Christlikeness is demonstrated through service. By serving others, we grow in humility and love, reflecting Jesus’ own heart.
Living in Hope: The Completion of Sanctification
Sanctification will not be fully complete until we are with Christ in eternity. 1 John 3:2 gives us this hope: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” This ultimate transformation, known as glorification, will occur when we are with Christ in heaven, free from sin forever.
Until that day, we live in hope, knowing that God is faithfully working in us to make us holy. Sanctification is a journey that shapes us, drawing us closer to God, and empowering us to reflect His love and holiness to the world around us.