Sanctification in the Life of a Believer

Sanctification is the purifying work of God by his Spirit in the believer that makes him Holy as he continually walks in obedience to God. To sanctify is to make holy, purify, and set apart (consecrate).

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Without holiness (sanctification) no man shall see God

It is God’s will for every believer to not only be born again but sanctified. It is our sanctification that reveals that we are sons of God. Sanctification is a MUST for every believer who expects to make it to heaven because God says without holiness no man shall see him (Hebrews 12:14).

By being sanctified, we become like Christ our sanctifier. Jesus prayed to the Father for his disciples in John 17 and said, “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:19). We see here that Jesus too had to sanctify himself that he may be worthy to sanctify us. He sanctified himself by total obedience to the Father and doing his will.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren

Hebrews 2:11

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

Sanctification is both instant and progressive

Sanctification is a gift we receive instantly as part of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. But it is also progressive in that it is perfected in the believer by continual obedience to the Lord Jesus. Upon receiving Jesus as Lord we receive sanctification as a gift because he is our sanctification.

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

1 Corinthians 1:30

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

Hebrews 13:12

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:14

However, sanctification must be maintained and in this sense it is progressive. We grow in sanctification through obedience. Every gift we receive from the Father is maintained through obedience. It is the same with salvation. Salvation is a free gift from the Father through Jesus Christ, but we have to maintain our salvation through obedience, or else we can lose it. Sanctification is the same way. The moment we become born again, we become sanctified, but we have to grow in holiness by willful obedience to the Father as Jesus modeled for us.

Progressive sanctification through obedience to God’s word

Obedience is a choice every believer must make for themselves. When we obey the Lord’s commands, we become sanctified. Holiness does not come automatically but through a conscious decision to obey Jesus and submit to his Lordship. Jesus said that if we love him, we will obey his commandments (John 14:15). His word is truth and it is this truth that sanctifies us.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth

John 17:17

The more we submit ourselves to the word of God, the more it washes us and makes us holy. Jesus is the word of God, and every word of God we consume is water that washes us making us a bride that is worthy of the Lord without spot or blemish.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:25-27

Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

Leviticus 20:8

Progressive sanctification through turning away from sin

We also grow in sanctification by making the decision to turn away from sin. We must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh by choosing to let go of all sin and all appearance of evil. By surrendering our body, spirit, and soul to the Lord as obedient servants, we cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh. This is a choice we must make daily. Having been washed of our sins, we should not return to them anymore if we expect to be holy.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

And such were some of you (unrighteous): but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God

1 Corinthians 6:11

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

1 Thessalonians 4:4

If a man therefore purge himself from these (dishonourable use), he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work

2 Timothy 2:21

God is able to sanctify us until the coming of the Lord Jesus

God is willing and able to sanctify those who trust him to do so and are willing and obedient. The work of sanctification is his. We participate in it, but it is he who makes us holy and gives us the grace to live and stay holy. He promises in his word that he is able to sanctify us wholly-body, soul, and spirit. He is faithful to do it. Trust him and ask him to sanctify you and keep you sanctified until the end because without holiness no man shall see God!

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 -24

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude:24-25

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:8

to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

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