Sanctification means to make holy (morally pure, spiritually whole, separated from evil and dedicated to God and His purposes), to consecrate (to set apart) and to separate from the ungodly patterns and practices of the world. It involves being set apart from sin so as to have intimate companionship with God and serve Him effectively. In practical terms, sanctification involves an ongoing process of spiritual growth, development and maturity by which God refines us spiritually, prepares us for His purposes and involves us in His plans.
In addition to the word "sanctify", the Biblical standard of sanctification is expressed in such terms as "love the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...mind" (Matt. 22:37), "blameless and holy" (1 Th.3:13), "perfecting holiness" (2 Cor. 7:1), "love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Th. 1:5), "pure and blameless" (Php 1:10), "set free from sin" (Rom. 6:18), "died to sin" (Rom. 6:2), "in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness" (Rom. 6:19), "obey His commands" (1 John 3:22), and "overcomes the world" (1 John 5:4). Such terms describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who accept God's forgiveness and spiritual salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. That work of the Holy Spirit includes liberating us from the power and slavery of sin (Rom. 6:1-19), separating us from the sinful patterns and practices of the world (Rom. 12:1-2), renewing our nature and character to be like Jesus Christ, producing in us the fruit - the effects and character traits - of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 22-23) and enabling us to live in a way that influences others to follow Christ (1 John 17:15-19,23)
These aspects of sanctification do not suggest absolute perfection, but an ethical righteousness - relating rightly to God and doing right according to His principles that are shown by moral purity, godly obedience and blameless character. With God's help and spiritual enablement and our identification with Christ's death, we are set free from sin's power (Rom. 6:18). We should therefore, no longer be swayed by sin's influence because we have the power for spiritual victory through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to resist and overcome the temptation to defy God (1 John 2:1, 3:6), even though we never reach a place in this life where we are completely free from temptation and the possibility of sin.
God's children achieve sanctification by faith and dependence on God (Acts 26:18), by identifying with Christ in His death and resurrection, by the personal sacrifice and shed blood of Christ, by studying and applying God's Word, and by the spiritually renewing, life-transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their minds and hearts.
Sanctification is both a work of God and a work of His people. It is described as a lifelong process by which a follower of Christ continues to put to death the natural impulse toward sin, is progressively transformed to be more like Jesus, grows in grace, exercises a greater love for God and others and fulfills God's purpose for his or her life.
True sanctification requires that believers maintain a close personal relationship with Christ, devote themselves to prayer, obey God's Word, be sensitive to God's presence and care, love what is right and hate what is wicked and wrong, put sin to death, submit to God's discipline and continue to obey and be filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
At times, sanctification may involve a definite crisis experience or exceptional encounter with God after one's initial experience of spiritual salvation. In such an instance, a followers of Christ may receive a clear revelation of God's holiness - His purity, perfection and separation from evil - as well as an awareness that God is calling him or her to a unique task. This would involve setting oneself apart in a greater way from sin and worldliness in order to get closer to God and become better prepared for His divine purposes (2 Cor. 6:16-18)
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