Sanctification
In the New Testament, sanctification refers to the process by which believers are made holy, set apart for God, and transformed into the image of Christ. It is both an instant position in Christ and a lifelong process of spiritual growth.
1. Positional Sanctification (Past)
How Does Sanctification Happen?
1. Positional Sanctification (Past)
- When a person trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation, they are immediately set apart as holy before God.
- This is a one-time act accomplished through Christ’s work on the cross.
- Scripture:
- 1 Corinthians 6:11 – "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
- Hebrews 10:10 – "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
- After salvation, believers undergo a lifelong transformation, becoming more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
- This involves growing in holiness, resisting sin, and obeying God’s Word.
- Scripture:
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 – "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;"
- When believers are glorified in heaven, they will be completely free from sin and fully holy.
- This happens at Christ’s return when believers receive resurrected, sinless bodies.
- Scripture:
- Philippians 1:6 – "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.."
- 1 John 3:2 – "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
How Does Sanctification Happen?
- Through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25) Title Keep in Step with the Spirit End Title 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
- By God's Word (John 17:17 – "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.")
- Through Trials & Discipline (Hebrews 12:10-11) 10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
- By Our Cooperation – Believers must actively seek holiness (Romans 12:1-2). 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.