Sanctification is the process by which God transforms our lives into the image of Christ.1 Before exploring this definition, it will be helpful to understand the word “sanctification” in its biblical context.
Two Kinds of Sanctification
The Word of God speaks of our sanctification in two different ways: positional sanctification and progressive sanctification. The definition above relates to progressive sanctification, which will be the focus of this article. However, to understand our progressive sanctification rightly, we need to see how it relates to our positional sanctification.
Positional sanctification
Positional sanctification occurs at a point in time. At conversion, God sets us apart, once and for all time, for his own saving purposes. There’s a sense, then, in which Christians have already been sanctified: “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).2
Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we no longer stand condemned before God but are already declared righteous. It’s our positional sanctification, being united to Christ by faith, that makes our progressive sanctification possible.
Progressive sanctification
Believers are already considered righteous in Christ, but we have not yet reached sinless perfection in the way we live. Far from it. As our definition above notes, progressive sanctification is a “process,” and this process continues throughout our entire lives. We are slowly becoming in practice who we already are in Christ.
So, what does the process of sanctification involve? It involves continually turning from sin and pursuing righteousness. Or, to use the language of Ephesians 4:22–24, sanctification involves putting off the old self and putting on the new self.
The old self is who we were in Adam prior to our conversion, when we were enslaved to sin; the new self is who we are in Christ, indwelt and empowered by his Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to put off sin and put on godly virtues.
Another way to describe sanctification is to say that it is God’s work of making us holy. In fact, the verb translated “to sanctify” can also be translated as “to make holy.”3 To be made holy is to be set apart for God and his saving purposes.
God’s Work in Sanctification
Though God has given us a part to play in our sanctification, it’s critical to remember that sanctification is primarily his work in and through us. God gradually transforms us by his Spirit into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), giving us the ability and desire to please him (Philippians 2:13).
Sometimes it seems as if sin is getting the upper hand in our lives, but we can be confident: the One who began a good work in us “will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Our Work in Sanctification
Sanctification is primarily God’s work, but we are not passive in this process. Relying on God’s power and grace, we must intentionally put sin to death (Romans 8:13) and “pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” (2 Timothy 2:22). Jesus warned us that we may need to take drastic measures in our battle against sin (Matthew 5:21–30).
However, because we have been given new life, obedience to God’s Word should not be a burdensome task but rather the fruit of God’s Spirit within us (1 John 5:3; 4:7; Galatians 5:22–23).
The Necessity of Sanctification
We don’t earn God’s approval through our sanctification—salvation is wholly by God’s grace—but that doesn’t mean it is optional. God always sanctifies those whom he saves.4 Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”5 If there is no evidence of God’s sanctifying work in the life of a professing believer, then there is reason to question whether that person has genuinely been converted.
We should remember, however, that the process of sanctification is slow and, depending on a variety of factors—spiritual maturity, church background, temperament, personality, life situation, etc.,—does not look the same in every believer’s life.
The End Goal of Sanctification
Finally, there is a purpose in our sanctification. According to our opening definition, God is transforming his people into “the image of Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Through the power of his Spirit, God uses a variety of means—Scripture, prayer, the body of Christ, trials, suffering, blessings, etc.—to make us look more and more like his Son (Romans 8:29). Yet, this process will not be complete until Christ’s return.
… what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he [Christ] appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
The hope that motivates our sanctification is seeing Christ Jesus in his glory and beauty, knowing that one day we will be made like him. Enjoying him forever is the end goal of our sanctification.
- This definition is taken from David Platt, Secret Church 10, “Crucifixion, Salvation, and the Glory of God.” ↵
- For other examples, see Acts 20:32; 26:18; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:11. ↵
- The word translated as “sanctification” can also be translated as “holiness.” To sanctify someone or something is to set it apart as holy. ↵
- See Romans 8:13–14. ↵
- The word for “holiness” in Hebrews 12:14 is the same word translated as “sanctification” in other passages. ↵
