There are two aspects to sanctification: the negative, separation from sin, and the positive, being made a partaker of God’s holy nature.— Derek Prince
At the core of the Christian life is sanctification. From the beginning, God has desired a people set apart for Himself to reflect His character and fulfil His purposes. As David testified after the Lord had restored his soul, He leads him in the path of righteousness. This is the very path He draws us into through Christ Jesus.
The journey of sanctification begins when we respond to the Spirit’s conviction, receive the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus, and surrender to His leading. This sets us on a progressive path of surrender, as we grow in obedience and alignment with God’s will.
The Hebrew word qāḍaš (sanctify) means to be holy, set apart, or consecrated. It is both an act of God and a process involving our cooperation. God initiates it, but He also requires our participation through faith and sacrifice.
Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him (Ephesians 1:4, ESV).
When we believe in Christ, the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirit. This new birth is just the beginning. God’s aim is for sanctification to reach our entire being, spirit, soul, and body.
The key agents of sanctification are the Word, the blood of Christ, and the Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals truth, exposes sin, and convicts us. The blood of Jesus cleanses our conscience from dead works (Hebrews 9:14). The Word of God continues to wash us, removing impure motives and attitudes as we remain in fellowship.
The soul consisting of our mind, will, and emotions, undergoes renewal through intentional effort.
Sanctification is not a solo effort. God is deeply committed to our transformation. He has given His Spirit to empower us, and His Word assures us that He is faithful to complete what He started.
For every believer sanctification is unique. Our callings, gifts, and assignments differ. We must avoid the temptation to compare our sanctification journey with others. Jesus' response to Peter in John 21 is a reminder: "What is that to you? You follow me!" (v 23).
Sanctification continues throughout our lives. We grow from glory to glory as we behold the Lord. Complacency can hinder our progress, but God calls us to press on.
Let us yield daily to the sanctifying work of the Spirit, assured that the One who began this good work will bring it to completion. Let sanctification not just be a doctrine we affirm, but a reality we live.