What is Sanctification?

Sanctification is also called Holiness, and it is God's plan for all of us. It means "set apart for a purpose" a special purpose for God. If you have not first read the Understanding Salvation page, please do that at this time.

Salvation is the first step in living a holy life that is pleasing to God. Remember Romans 3:23, we have fallen short of that Glory, we are not holy and without being holy we can't see God

Hebrews12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (NIV)

So how does one become holy? That is the process of Sanctification, beginning with what God does for you through Christ. Because of Christ death on the cross God sees you as holy even before you do one thing for Him. Once you accept what Christ did for you God no longer counts your sins against you. This is what God has done for you through Christ. This doesn't mean God is done with you. He has something He wants to do with you and through you. Christ didn't die for you just so you could stay where you are, he wants you to be renewed and realize the Glory God has for you.

The Bible tells us

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
We are to be living as God desires being renewed in His will

Ephesians 4:22-24

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (NIV)
The old life of sin is now gone, sure you will still make mistakes, we all do, but God calls for us to grow more and more like Christ each day.

Sanctification is more than just living a committed life to God, it is only by God's power it can be done. God calls for us to have a hand in it, but it is by His power working through us that holiness is found. Remember the page on Understanding Salvation, just as salvation is only by God's power, Sanctification, the next step, is also only by God's power.

If you have accepted Christ as your Savior and King He has a work for you to do, a glory for you to have. I urge you to pursue a life completely committed to God and His holiness as a sanctified believer.

For more information on Sanctification