Being sanctified in Christ is a central concept in Christian faith, representing the process of being made holy and set apart for God’s purposes. The term, derived from the Greek word hagiasmos, means “holiness” or “separation.” This involves a profound spiritual transformation that begins at the moment of faith and continues throughout a believer’s life. Sanctification is God’s gracious work to transform a person, making them fit for a holy purpose, which includes a change of heart, mind, and behavior. It is the process of becoming more like Christ, moving away from the world’s influence and toward God’s design.
Sanctification vs. Justification
Understanding sanctification requires a clear distinction from justification. Justification is a one-time, instantaneous legal declaration by God, where the sinner is declared righteous based on Christ’s finished work. This act addresses the guilt and penalty of sin, resulting in a new status of being acquitted and accepted by God. Justification is complete and final the moment a person believes, meaning their standing before God cannot be increased or reversed.
Sanctification, by contrast, is the ongoing, internal, and moral process of becoming righteous in character and conduct. It addresses the dominion and corruption of sin in a believer’s life, working to renew and transform their whole person. While justification is a single act of grace, sanctification is a continual work that is progressive and perfecting by degrees. Justification is a righteousness imputed to the believer, while sanctification is a holiness worked out within the believer.
The Three Dimensions of Sanctification
The process of being set apart is broken down into three distinct dimensions: positional, progressive, and final sanctification. This framework reflects the past, present, and future aspects of a believer’s relationship with God. It helps clarify how a believer can be considered holy while still struggling with sin.
Positional Sanctification
Positional sanctification is the instantaneous, completed act that occurs at conversion. At this point, the believer is definitively set apart and made holy in God’s sight, regardless of their current moral performance. This establishes the believer’s new identity as a “saint” through a union with Christ. The believer is viewed as righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice, which serves as the foundation for all subsequent growth in holiness.
Progressive Sanctification
Progressive sanctification is the lifelong process of growth in holiness that takes place between conversion and death. This is the practical, daily struggle where the believer is actively being conformed to the image of Christ. It is a work of the Holy Spirit that involves the believer’s cooperation, leading to spiritual maturity and a gradual freedom from the power of sin. This stage is marked by conflict as the new life in Christ contends with the remaining sinful nature.
Final/Completed Sanctification
Final sanctification is the future perfection of the believer. This stage occurs upon death or Christ’s return, when the believer will be completely transformed and presented to God without blemish. It represents the end of the process, where the believer is fully delivered from the presence of sin. At this point, the believer will be made perfectly like Christ, realizing the full and permanent holiness guaranteed at conversion.
The Means and Practice of Sanctification
The work of sanctification is a collaborative effort involving the divine agent and the active participation of the believer. The primary agent is the Holy Spirit, who initiates, sustains, and empowers the entire process. The Spirit works to regenerate the believer, convict them of sin, and produce the “fruit of the Spirit,” such as love, joy, and self-control, which is the tangible evidence of growing holiness.
The Spirit’s work is applied through specific, ordinary means of grace. God uses the reading and study of the Bible, often called the Word of God, as a primary tool to set the believer apart and guide them into truth. Prayer is another essential means, allowing believers to communicate with the Spirit for guidance and strength. Participation in Christian community and fellowship also plays a role by providing accountability and encouraging one another toward love and good works.
The believer’s role is one of active participation, involving discipline, obedience, and a continuous surrender of the will to God. This active involvement is often described as “putting off” sinful habits and “putting on” Christ-like virtues. While the Holy Spirit provides the power, the believer must choose to walk in the Spirit, listen to His guidance, and actively engage in the spiritual disciplines that facilitate growth. Sanctification is not a passive experience but requires continual submission to the transforming work God is doing within them.