Sanctification

Sanctification in the Bible refers to the process by which individuals are set apart for God's purposes and made holy. The term derives from the Latin "sanctificare," which means "to make holy." In the Old Testament, sanctification is often associated with the consecration of people and things to God, as seen in Exodus 19:14-15, where the Israelites are instructed to consecrate themselves before meeting God. This theme continues in the New Testament, where sanctification is closely linked to the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. In the New Testament, sanctification is both a positional and a progressive aspect of the believer's life. Positionally, believers are sanctified through their faith in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:10), meaning that they are declared holy based on their union with Him. Progressively, sanctification involves the ongoing transformation into Christ's likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). This process is emphasized in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:3, where Paul states, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification," indicating that believers are called to live in obedience to God's commandments and grow in holiness throughout their lives. Thus, sanctification encompasses both the initial act of being made holy through faith and the continuous journey of spiritual growth and moral integrity.

Sanctification142