Sanctification is a foundational doctrine that captures the transformative work God performs in a believer’s life, setting them apart from the world to reflect His holiness. To be sanctified is to be made holy, which means to be separated from sin and dedicated to God. This process is distinct yet connected to salvation, as it encompasses God’s continued work to purify, transform, and ultimately glorify those who belong to Him.
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Sanctification is typically understood in three main aspects: positional sanctification, which takes place at the moment of salvation; experiential sanctification, the ongoing process of growing in holiness throughout a believer’s life; and ultimate sanctification, which will be fully realized in heaven when sin is entirely removed. Together, these three stages of sanctification encapsulate a believer’s journey from spiritual death to eternal life, transforming them into the likeness of Christ.
“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
As we explore sanctification in its three aspects, we’ll see how it is woven through the entire narrative of Scripture, bringing encouragement and clarity to believers seeking to live set-apart lives.
1. Positional Sanctification: A New Identity in Christ
Positional sanctification is the initial, instantaneous work of God that occurs at the moment a person believes in Jesus Christ. When a believer places their faith in Christ, they are spiritually reborn and transferred from a state of spiritual death to a state of spiritual life. This transformation marks the beginning of their journey with God, establishing them as part of the “new creation” and positioning them as righteous in God’s sight. Through this act, God sets them apart as His own, declaring them holy because of the finished work of Christ.
At the moment of justification, positional sanctification removes the penalty of sin, and the believer stands clothed in Christ’s righteousness. This spiritual rebirth is depicted in Scripture as a change from darkness to light, death to life. In John 3:3-8, Jesus describes this as being “born again,” a term signifying the start of a new existence. The Apostle Paul expands on this transformation, saying, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Examples in Scripture illustrate this shift from the old self to the new self. In Colossians 3:3-4, Paul writes that believers have “died” and their lives are “hidden with Christ in God,” highlighting that their true identity is now found in Christ. Positional sanctification defines the believer’s identity and spiritual standing before God. It is not based on human works but solely on the completed work of Christ, making it a gift of grace.
“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.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
2. Experiential Sanctification: Growth in Holiness
Experiential sanctification is the continuous, lifelong process of becoming more like Christ, where a believer learns to resist sin and live in obedience to God. Unlike positional sanctification, which is a one-time act, experiential sanctification involves daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to overcome sinful desires. This stage of sanctification deals with the believer’s struggle against the power of sin while living in a fallen world.
The New Testament presents the Christian life as a spiritual battle between the flesh and the Spirit. Paul describes this internal conflict in Romans 7:15-25, highlighting the challenges believers face in resisting sin. He expresses the frustration that many Christians experience, confessing, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” This ongoing battle reveals the believer’s need for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength.
The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in experiential sanctification. Through His work, believers are empowered to resist sin, grow in righteousness, and bear spiritual fruit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Experiential sanctification is not a passive experience but an active pursuit of holiness that requires spiritual disciplines like prayer, studying Scripture, fellowship with other believers, and confession of sins.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Failures and setbacks are inevitable in the journey of experiential sanctification. Even mature believers continue to struggle with sin and face moments of failure. However, God provides for these weaknesses through Christ, who is our mediator and advocate. In 1 John 1:9, believers are encouraged to confess their sins, knowing that God is faithful and just to forgive them. Jesus, as the eternal High Priest, intercedes for believers and continually cleanses them, ensuring that their sins do not hinder their relationship with God.
While experiential sanctification involves many struggles, it is ultimately a hopeful process. As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they become increasingly conformed to His image, a transformation that brings joy and fulfillment. Through this journey, believers become witnesses of God’s grace and glory, bearing the fruit of the Spirit and living as lights in a dark world.
3. Ultimate Sanctification: Complete Purity in Heaven
Ultimate sanctification will occur when believers are finally freed from the presence of sin. This aspect of sanctification is future-oriented and will be fulfilled when a believer is in the presence of God, either at death or upon Christ’s return. In heaven, believers will receive glorified bodies that are purified and incapable of sin, allowing them to experience perfect communion with God without the limitations of the sinful nature.
Scripture offers numerous promises about the final state of believers. In 1 John 3:2-3, John writes, “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” The hope of ultimate sanctification motivates believers to pursue holiness in the present, knowing that one day they will be completely transformed.
Ultimate sanctification also involves the resurrection of the body. In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul explains that Christ will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, free from sickness, decay, and sin. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, he describes the “mystery” of the resurrection, when believers will be changed and “put on immortality.” This transformation is part of God’s promise to restore creation to a state of perfect harmony with Himself.
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
The anticipation of ultimate sanctification provides comfort and hope to believers as they navigate the challenges of life on earth. It reminds them that their current struggles with sin are temporary and that God’s ultimate plan is to restore them to a perfect, sinless state.
Conclusion: A Life Set Apart for God
Sanctification is a divine process that shapes a believer’s life from the moment of salvation to eternity. Each aspect—positional, experiential, and ultimate sanctification—highlights God’s commitment to purifying His people and conforming them to the image of Christ. As believers, we are called to embrace this journey, relying on the Holy Spirit for strength in our daily battles with sin and looking forward to the day when we will stand in God’s presence, completely sanctified.
Sanctification is a testament to God’s grace, as He works within us to reflect His holiness. While the journey involves challenges, it is ultimately one of joy and hope, as God brings to completion the work He began in each of us. As we await the final aspect of our sanctification, let us strive to live lives that honor God, holding fast to the promise that we are being transformed into His likeness.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
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New International Version (NIV)
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