Theology Terms Explained: “Sanctification”

In this series on the blog, we’re providing sound doctrine for everyday people by providing you with clear and simple definitions that will strengthen your theological foundation. Each article covers 4 categories including: 

1. The Term – We lay out how it’s pronounced.

2. The Definition – We provide the Merriam-Webster definition and an everyday version.

3. The Biblical Connection – We show you where the term connects with Scripture.

4. Used in an Everyday Conversation – We use it in a basic conversation.

Here we go! 

The Term

“Sanctification”

sanc·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion 

The Definition 

Merriam Webster: Used as a noun it is referring to an act of sanctifying; the state of being sanctified. Sanctify is the verb form meaning to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use, to make productive holiness, to free from sin.

FTG’s Expanded Explanation: Sanctification is being set apart and made holy. It is both immediate when we believe the gospel, and ongoing as we are convicted of our sin, confess our sin, and are cleansed of sin. To be sanctified is to be set apart for sacredness. Christians are sanctified to represent Christ in this world, while being freed from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1) and love for this world (1 John 2:15-17). When a Christian describes their “hunger for truth” or “growth in the faith,” they are typically describing the work of the Holy Spirit in their sanctification. A desire for the Word and fruit of the Holy Spirit results from being sanctified by Him (Galatians 5:13-25).

The Biblical Connection

Sanctification is not a distant concept from the mind of God in Scripture. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 explicitly says that sanctification is “God’s will for us” so it is very wise for a Christian to know this concept, and pray for “God’s will to be done” (Luke 22:42) in the process of sanctification. 

In the Bible, sanctification is described in both past, present, and future ways. 

In the past tense, every believer is sanctified through Christ. According to Hebrews 10:10, you have been “sanctified through Christ” because He was the “once for all” offering. Based on this, a believer can be confident and thankful that good works do not make you set apart, but rather, being set apart means you live out good works. Furthermore, the fact that Christ has guaranteed our salvation means that He has also guaranteed our sanctification. This is great news for all believers since we will still battle against sin and need to confess our sin (1 John 1:9-10). 

In the present tense, every believer is in the process of ongoing (progressive) sanctification and is supposed to be responding to the grace of God with a desire to grow and a pursuit of holiness. 1 Peter 1:15 commands, “Be holy, as I am holy,” reminding us that even though God sanctifies us, we are commanded to pursue holy living. We are also presently growing day after day to become more like Jesus. Philippians 1:6 shows us the progressive nature of sanctification when Paul says, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” This passage reminds us that even though we still sin as believers, God will continue to grow us and cleanse us, He will finish what He started in us. The Christian in the process of sanctification can confidently say, Praise God! I am not I who used to be, and Praise God! I’m not yet who I am going to be!” God will grow you day by day. 

Finally, sanctification has a future reality in that one day we will be fully sanctified and be as Jesus is in that sense. Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” You couldn’t be “revealed with Him in glory” if you were not fully sanctified. This is Paul's prayer for believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 when he writes, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Further Study: 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11; John 17:17-19; Romans 6. 

Used in Everyday Conversation

“Through the process of sanctification, believers in Jesus are being convicted of sin, confessing sin, and being cleansed of sin by the Holy Spirit. Even though we do sin, believers can be confident that habitual love and enjoyment of sin will fade, and a desire for holiness will increase.”  

“Christians are called to avoid appearance and actions that are evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Ephesians 5:11), unholy, and unsanctified. As followers of Christ, we do not love the world or its ways (1 John 2:15-17).