What Is Sanctification — Meaning Explained
Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God transforms believers to become more like Christ, separating them from sin and developing holiness in their character.
Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God transforms believers to become more like Christ, separating them from sin and developing holiness in their character.
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication." — 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)
What "What Is Sanctification?" Actually Means
Sanctification comes from the Greek word meaning 'to set apart' or 'make holy.' It operates on three levels. Positional sanctification happens at the moment of salvation — God declares believers holy and set apart for His purposes (1 Corinthians 6:11). Progressive sanctification is the lifelong process of growing in Christlikeness through the Holy Spirit's work, Scripture, prayer, and obedience (2 Corinthians 3:18). Final sanctification (glorification) occurs when believers receive their perfected bodies and are completely free from sin's influence. Paul prayed for believers' complete sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23) while acknowledging the ongoing struggle (Romans 7:14-25). Sanctification is both God's work and our responsibility — Paul urges believers to 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you' (Philippians 2:12-13). It involves putting off the old nature and putting on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24), a process that continues until we see Christ face to face.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
1 Thessalonians 4:3
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication."
2 Corinthians 3:18
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Philippians 2:12-13
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
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