What Does Sanctification Mean in the Bible?
Sanctification shows up a lot in biblical conversations, but what does it actually mean? In Scripture, sanctification is about being set apart for God, growing in holiness and reflecting Jesus in our lives. It’s a real journey described throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
What Does Sanctification Mean?
Sanctification comes from a Greek word meaning “to make holy” or “set apart.” In the Bible, it describes how people are chosen and shaped by God for His purposes. It’s about being made different because God is shaping us to look more like Him.
Key Verse About Sanctification
“God chose you as the first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
2 Thessalonians 2:13
This shows both the work of the Holy Spirit and the importance of faith in the truth when it comes to sanctification.
How Does the Bible Describe Sanctification?
There are a few ways the Bible talks about sanctification:
- Positional Sanctification: What God declares about us when we trust in Christ
- Progressive Sanctification: Our everyday growth in godliness
- Ultimate Sanctification: The final state when believers are completely holy in God’s presence
Positional Sanctification: Holy from the Start
When a person trusts Jesus, God instantly sets them apart as holy. This isn’t because we’ve earned it, but because Jesus’ sacrifice covers us.
“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
1 Corinthians 6:11
God sees us as holy the moment we believe and put our faith in him.
Progressive Sanctification: Growing in Holiness
Although God immediately sets us apart, the Christian life is a continual process of becoming more like Jesus. The Bible describes this as a daily experience, involving spiritual disciplines and repentance.
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
1 Thessalonians 4:3
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)
2 Peter 3:18
Sanctification plays out as we obey God. It’s the Spirit working in us and our choices lining up with God’s commands.
Ultimate Sanctification: The Final Goal
The New Testament points forward to the day when God will finish what He started in us and we will be perfectly holy in His presence. This gives hope for the day when the struggle will be over.
“Beloved, we are God’s children now and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)
1 John 3:2
Who Does the Work of Sanctification?
Sanctification is both God’s work and something we actively participate in. God gives us His Spirit to transform us, but we have a real and ongoing role to play.
- God’s role: The Holy Spirit changes hearts, gives new desires and empowers obedience
- Our role: We pursue holiness, resist sin and respond to God’s leading
“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)
Philippians 2:12 – 13
Practical Ways Sanctification Shows Up
Sanctification touches all of life. Here are a few ways it can be seen:
- Desires that change over time
- Love for God and others growing deeper
- Greater awareness of sin and repentance
- Obedience to God’s commands even when it’s hard
- Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace etc.) showing up more naturally
Final thought
Sanctification in Scripture is being set apart for God, transformed daily by His Spirit and heading toward complete holiness when Jesus returns. Every Christian is on this journey. It’s God’s work, but He wants our active, willing hearts every step of the way.
