Sanctification is the continuing work of God in the life of believers, making them holy. By “holy” here is “bearing an actual likeness to God.” Sanctification is a process by which one’s moral condition is brought into conformity with one’s legal status before God. It is a continuation of what was begun in regeneration, when a newness of life was conferred upon and instilled within the believer. Sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s applying to the life of the believer the work done by Jesus Christ.
Yes, brothers and sisters, Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians Chapter 5, Paul speaks of the life in the Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh” (v. 16). In vv.19-25 “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit, let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.” (NIV).
Similarly, in Romans Chapter 8, Paul tells us about the Spirit and the Christian. We must walk according to the Spirit (v. 4), set our minds on the things of the Spirit (v. 5), are in the Spirit (v. 9); the Spirit dwells in them (v. 9); by the Spirit they have put to death the deeds of the body (v. 13); they are led by the Spirit (v. 14); the Spirit bears witness that they are children of God (v. 16); and the Spirit intercedes for them (vv. 26–27). It is the Spirit who is at work in the believer, bringing about likeness to Christ.
John 17:17 says, “Sanctify us by the truth, Your word is truth.” “That we may be Sanctified truly.” (v.19)
Sanctification is characterized by:
- a wholehearted love for God and neighbor
- having the mind of Christ
- bearing the fruit of the Spirit
- both inward and outward righteousness and true holiness in life
- complete devotion to God
- giving thoughts, words, and actions as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God
- salvation from all sin.
Please let go of your former self and transformed to be Christ-like. Scripture tells us. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) (NKJV).
And that “Our old man was crucified with Jesus, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7) (NKJV).
Brothers and sisters, we pay a doctor, who only deals with our physical health, to tell us the truth. How much more indebted are we to a brother or sister who seeks to preserve our spiritual health. Please listen to a sister who says “you are proud or filled with anger and much more” which is spiritual, you must be transformed spiritually. Proverbs 27:17 gives the following emphatic truth: as “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Peace and love multiplied to you and your family in Jesus’s name.
Amen!