Sanctification
Definition:
The Christian Meaning of Sanctification
Sanctification comes from the Latin sanctificatio, meaning “to make holy”. In Christian theology, it refers to the process by which believers are made holy, becoming more like God in character, thought, and action.
Sanctification is distinct from justification, which declares a person righteous before God; sanctification is the ongoing transformation of the believer into Christlikeness, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
1. Sanctification as God’s Work and Human Response
Sanctification is both divine and participatory:
“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
— Paul (Philippians 2:13)
John Wesley emphasized this cooperation:
“Sanctification is the work of God’s grace in us, which we must continually cooperate with by our diligence, prayer, and obedience.”
It is therefore a dynamic partnership: God provides the power, and believers respond in obedience.
2. Sanctification Is Spiritual Growth
Sanctification is the gradual transformation of the believer’s life:
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.”
— Paul (2 Corinthians 3:18)
A.W. Tozer explained:
“Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God’s use, of having our lives conformed to His will, of being made like Him in thought and action.”
It is therefore a lifelong journey, not a single event.
3. Sanctification Involves Holiness and Moral Purity
Sanctification is about being set apart from sin and dedicated to God:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:3
Jonathan Edwards said:
“Sanctification is the work of the Spirit in subduing our sinful affections and elevating the soul to love God supremely.”
Holiness is the defining mark of sanctification.
4. Sanctification Is Rooted in the Death and Resurrection of Christ
Christ’s death and resurrection empower the believer’s sanctification:
“Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 6:11
Martin Luther noted:
“We are righteous not by our own works, but by the power of Christ’s death and resurrection, which begins to sanctify us here on earth.”
Christ is both the source and model of sanctification.
5. Sanctification Is Progressive and Continuous
Sanctification is rarely instantaneous; it is progressive:
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
— 2 Peter 3:18
John Calvin explained:
“Sanctification is the lifelong effort of the Spirit and the believer together, continually renewing our minds and desires in accordance with God’s will.”
It is a journey of continual moral and spiritual growth.
6. Sanctification Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit actively transforms the believer:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace… against such things there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:22–23
J.I. Packer wrote:
“Sanctification is the Spirit’s work in the believer, producing Christlike fruit in life, thought, and conduct.”
The Spirit changes the heart from the inside out, producing genuine holiness.
7. Sanctification Is Both Positional and Experiential
Theologians distinguish two aspects:
Positional sanctification – The believer is already declared holy in Christ at salvation.
Experiential sanctification – The believer grows in actual holiness over time.
Augustine explained:
“We are made holy in Christ by God’s grace; and yet we are being made holy day by day in our lives.”
Sanctification is both a status and a process.
8. Sanctification Is Transformative for Life and Action
Sanctification is not just internal; it produces visible results:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16
John Wesley emphasized:
“True sanctification manifests itself in love to God and neighbor, in works of mercy and justice.”
It transforms character, relationships, and daily behavior.
9. Sanctification Requires Cooperation, Discipline, and Prayer
Sanctification is both divine and human:
Prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation
Participation in sacraments or ordinances
Moral discipline and ethical living
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:
“Discipleship, and thus sanctification, is costly; it demands the surrender of self to God’s will.”
Sanctification is therefore active participation in God’s transformative work.
10. Sanctification Is Goal-Oriented
The ultimate aim is Christlikeness and eternal conformity to God’s image:
“We will be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
— 1 John 3:2
A.W. Tozer summarized:
“Sanctification is the process of being made holy for eternal fellowship with God.”
It is the spiritual journey toward perfect love, holiness, and God-centered living.
Summary: What Sanctification Means in Christianity
Sanctification is:
✔ God’s work in the believer to make them holy
✔ A progressive, lifelong process of spiritual growth
✔ Involving moral purification and Christlike transformation
✔ Rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus
✔ Empowered by the Holy Spirit
✔ Both positional (status) and experiential (lived reality)
✔ Evidenced in love, obedience, and good deeds
✔ A cooperative process of divine and human effort
✔ Ultimately aimed at eternal conformity to God’s image
Or, as John Stott summarized:
“Sanctification is the process by which we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, living holy lives empowered by the Spirit, for the glory of God and the good of the world.”
Biblical Imagery & Metaphors:
Gold refined in fire.
A garden pruned for fruitfulness.
Clay molded in a potter’s hands.
In Daily Faith:
God shapes us daily through trials, joys, and quiet transformation — His love refining our souls.
In Daily Life: Living Out Sanctification
Sanctification is a daily journey of being transformed into the likeness of Christ. It is not theoretical or optional—it touches every aspect of life: thoughts, words, relationships, and actions. Christians are called to actively participate with God’s Spirit in this lifelong process.
1. Begin Each Day in God’s Presence
Application: Start each day with prayer, Scripture reading, and reflection. Invite God to guide your thoughts, words, and actions.
Scripture: Psalm 119:105 — "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Encouragement: Daily engagement with God’s Word aligns your heart and mind with His holiness, making sanctification practical from the first moment of your day.
2. Practice Obedience in Small Choices
Application: Obedience is lived out in everyday decisions—honesty at work, patience with family, integrity in speech.
Scripture: 1 John 2:3–6 — "We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands… whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
Encouragement: Faithfulness in small matters builds character and forms Christlike habits.
3. Confess and Turn From Sin Promptly
Application: Confession is vital for growth. Acknowledge sin quickly, repent, and rely on God’s forgiveness.
Scripture: 1 John 1:9 — "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Encouragement: Regular repentance keeps your heart tender and receptive to the Spirit’s transforming work.
4. Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit
Application: Focus on developing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in daily life.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22–23 — "The fruit of the Spirit is… against such things there is no law."
Encouragement: Actively choosing to display these virtues in relationships and work reflects ongoing sanctification.
5. Engage in Regular Prayer and Worship
Application: Pray consistently, both privately and corporately, and participate in worship as an expression of devotion and surrender.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 — "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances."
Encouragement: Prayer and worship draw your heart closer to God, shaping your thoughts and actions toward holiness.
6. Renew Your Mind Through Scripture
Application: Read, meditate, and memorize God’s Word to transform your thinking and attitudes.
Scripture: Romans 12:2 — "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Encouragement: Thoughts aligned with God’s truth produce actions that reflect sanctified living.
7. Serve Others with a Holy Heart
Application: Serve your family, neighbors, and community with love and humility. Allow acts of service to be an expression of holiness.
Scripture: Colossians 3:23–24 — "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."
Encouragement: Service becomes a natural outlet for sanctification, shaping your character and glorifying God.
8. Submit to God’s Discipline and Trials
Application: Embrace challenges and correction as opportunities for growth, rather than avoiding discomfort.
Scripture: Hebrews 12:11 — "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Encouragement: Difficulties refine your character and deepen your dependence on God, much like gold purified in fire.
9. Participate in Community for Accountability
Application: Join a local church, small group, or accountability partnership to encourage growth and resist temptation.
Scripture: Proverbs 27:17 — "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Encouragement: Relationships with fellow believers strengthen resolve and offer support in the sanctification journey.
10. Aim Toward Christlikeness, Not Perfection
Application: Set spiritual goals but rely on God’s grace. Celebrate growth while trusting Him for ongoing transformation.
Scripture: Philippians 3:12–14 — "Not that I have already obtained all this… but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."
Encouragement: Sanctification is a journey. Progress, not perfection, glorifies God as you steadily grow in His likeness.
Summary Practical Advice:
Daily sanctification involves intentional cooperation with God: prayer, Scripture meditation, obedience, confession, service, community, and perseverance. By focusing on Christ and the Spirit’s work, believers are transformed progressively, bearing fruit in every area of life.
Scripture References:
Philippians 2:13,
2 Corinthians 3:18,
1 Thessalonians 4:3,
Romans 6:11,
2 Peter 3:18,
Galatians 5:22–23,
Matthew 5:16,
1 John 3:2,
John 17:17,
Hebrews 12:11,
Romans 12:2,
Colossians 3:23–24