Introduction to Sanctification

What is Sanctification?

Sanctification is the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that begins at conversion in order to make a Christian more and more Christ-like and/or set apart unto God for service. Sanctification is characterized by an increase in holiness and a decrease in sinfulness.

2 Timothy 2:19-25

¹⁹ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of ^[a]Christ depart from iniquity.”²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, ^[b]sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

If you have trusted in the Risen Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior for the forgiveness of your sins… you are in the process of sanctification.

Romans 8:29-32 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

God is at work on your sanctification and will not stop until you are perfectly complete!

I Thes 5:22-24

³ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify^[a] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

God has freed the Christian from the enslavement to sin and made us slaves to righteousness instead.

Romans 6:12-13, 17, 18

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as ^[a]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁷ But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were ^[a]delivered. ¹⁸ And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

We have our part to play in the sanctification process…

Repentance involves exercising our renewed mind /will in conformity to the word of God. Some people say:

“Let go and let God.”

If they mean:

A person is to let go of self will and take hold of God’s will instead than it will work to produce Godliness / Holiness.

 But if they mean:

“I will do nothing towards my sanctification and God will do everything”

 Than they are only fooling themselves. Ecclesiastes 10:18 says:

 ¹⁸ Because of laziness the ^[a]building decays,
And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

The scriptures encourage us to do our part in the sanctification process.

1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18

 ² as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow ^[a]thereby,

¹⁸ but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Be a fruit Inspector… (Discernment)

The gospel of Mathew says we shall know them by their fruit! (Mathew 7:16-20) Many so called Christians claim a saving faith but lack the evidence of a transformed life. If we are truly converted; there should be a decrease in our sinfulness and an increase in our Godliness. In addition; there should be greater sensitivity and a heightened sorrow over our personal sins. Instead of being a habitual, willful sinner; we ought to despise sin more and more and instead bear fruit for our glorious master.

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ^23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.