Sanctification

Sanctification and Justification are two sides of the same salvation coin, but they operate differently and are essential to understand together.

If Justification is the legal declaration that makes a person righteous in God's sight, Sanctification is the practical process that makes a person actually holy in their conduct and character.

The Process of Becoming Holy

The word "sanctify" literally means "to set apart" or "to make holy." In the biblical context, it refers to the ongoing work of God—through the Holy Spirit—in the life of a believer to liberate them from the power of sin and conform them to the image of Jesus Christ.

1. The Nature of Sanctification (An Overview)

Feature	Justification (Legal Act)	Sanctification (Practical Process)
Timing	Instantaneous (A one-time act).	Progressive (Lifelong and continuous).
Source	The Work of Christ for us.	The Work of the Holy Spirit in us.
Basis	Christ's Righteousness imputed (credited).	Actual Righteousness developed (imparted).
Focus	Our Standing before God (Justification).	Our State and Conduct (Holiness).
Result	Peace with God (Romans 5:1).	Maturity in Christ (Philippians 1:6).
Mankind's Role	Passive (We simply receive the gift by faith).	Active (We cooperate, discipline ourselves, and obey).

2. Three Aspects of Sanctification

The Bible speaks of sanctification in three distinct ways:

A. Positional Sanctification (Past Tense)

• What it is: The moment a person is justified, they are immediately and totally "set apart" as holy unto God. Their identity shifts from "sinner" to "saint" (holy one).

• Example: Paul often addresses believers as "saints" or "those sanctified in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:2).

B. Progressive Sanctification (Present Tense)

• What it is: This is the lifelong journey where the believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, actively fights sin and grows in Christ-like virtue. It is a work God initiates and completes, but which requires human cooperation.

• Key Verse: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13)

• The Means: This happens through Bible study, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and actively applying God's truth to one's life.

C. Final Sanctification / Glorification (Future Tense)

• What it is: The final, perfect state when believers are completely freed from the presence of sin, which will happen when they die and go to heaven or when Christ returns.

• Key Verse: "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

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3. The Interplay of God's Work and Man's Effort

Progressive Sanctification is a partnership often called Concurrence or Synergism (co-working):

• God's Part (The Divine Imperative): God provides the power (Holy Spirit), the standard (His Word), and the goal (Christ-likeness). He is the one who ultimately makes growth possible.

• Man's Part (The Human Responsibility): The believer must actively discipline themselves, resist temptation, put off the old self, and put on the new self (Colossians 3:5-10). This involves intentional spiritual disciplines.

4. The Goal

The ultimate goal of sanctification is not merely to avoid sin, but to reflect the character of Jesus Christ and bear the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) (Galatians 5:22-23).