Simple Truths Regarding Sanctification

1. Most church members know little or nothing about the Biblical doctrine of sanctification. This is sad, particularly because the subject of sanctification is not as complicated as some ministers have made it.
2. The root word “sanctify” means literally “to set apart.” A sister term to “sanctification” is “holiness.” When we talk about someone being “holy” or “sanctified,” we are simply speaking of that person being “set apart” for God.
3. To put the concept of sanctification more simply, sanctification is the process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. This is why it is so grieving to me to watch ministers and Christians argue over the subject of sanctification. While many get involved in angry debates over sanctification, they miss the blessing of sanctification – being conformed more and more into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
4. Contrary to the teaching of some, sanctification is not a second definite work of grace. What I mean by this is that sanctification is not a separate work from salvation.
5. A person is sanctified the moment they are saved. At the moment of salvation, God sets the believer apart for his glory. Some make a statement similar to the following: “I was saved in January, but I was not sanctified until May.” With all due respect, if you were not sanctified until May, then you were not saved until May.
6. At salvation, the believer is sanctified solely by Christ’s work on the cross (Hebrews 10:10). At that moment, the believer is “perfected forever” (Hebrews 10:14).
7. After a person is saved, of course he grows in sanctification. Over time, the believer becomes more like Christ. Believers are sanctified through the word of God (John 17:17), which means that the more we meditate upon the word, the more like Christ we will become (Psalm 119:11). Believers are sanctified by the Spirit (II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2), which means that the more we yield to the Holy Spirit, the more like Christ we will become.
8. Rather than being a separate work from salvation, sanctification is a work within salvation. The salvation of the believer is a single work that contains past, present, and future aspects. A person may say, “The Lord saved me” (past tense), and he is absolutely correct! Our salvation is past – we were saved the moment we believed on Christ (Titus 3:5). Another person may say, “The Lord is saving me” (present tense), and that is also correct! Another person may say, “The Lord will save me” (future tense), and there is nothing wrong with that statement (Romans 5:10). I have been saved from the penalty of sin. This is called justification. I am being saved from the practice of sin. This is called sanctification. I will be saved from the presence of sin. This is called glorification, and will come to pass when I receive a glorious body like His body (Philippians 3:21).
9. Sanctification is not an eradication of the sinful nature. Just an honest, simple study of the word “sanctification” (and its variations) in scripture will easily debunk this notion. In Exodus 40:10-11, inanimate objects are said to be sanctified. Did those objects have their sinful natures eradicated? Of course not. In Exodus 19:23, Mount Zion was sanctified. Mount Zion, of course, has no sinful nature. In Exodus 13:2 and Exodus 19:10, Moses sanctified the people. Does a mere man have the power to eradicate the sinful nature of another individual? Of course not. Isaiah 66:17 actually speaks of people sanctifying themselves to commit iniquity. These people certainly retained their sinful natures. In John 10:36 and John 17:19, Christ is said to be sanctified. Did Christ finally overcome His sinful nature? Of course not; He had no sinful nature to overcome! In I Corinthians 7:14, even unbelievers are said to be sanctified! Teaching that sanctification is an eradication of one’s sinful nature is false, as that kind of teaching will hit many snags in scripture.
10. Sanctification is a mark of identification for true believers. Those who belong to Christ are actually predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29). Though I wish to be more like Christ, God the Father desires that more than I do. This is a great encouragement to me. When some people think of sanctification, they think of themselves struggling along to sanctify themselves. As they struggle, they picture God the Father looking on, examining their every step, looking for something for which to condemn them. However, it is not like that at all! It is God’s will that I be sanctified (I Thessalonians 4:3). God the Father wants me to be more like Jesus. And He is working through the word and the Spirit to make it happen!