sanctification | Piercelights

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This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 NASB

What is Sanctification

For this is the will of God, your sanctification … 1 Thessalonians 4:3a (NASB)

Sanctification is a translation of the Greek word hagiasmos, meaning “holiness” or “a separation.”

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20-21

At the point of salvation, a believer becomes a dual citizen of this world and of the Kingdom of Heaven.

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

John 17:16-19 (NASB)

At the point of salvation, the Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification, shifting the believer’s focus from this world to that of the Kingdom.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit, do not utterly reject prophecies, but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, abstain from every form of evil.

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.

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NASB)

Our blessed hope of an eternity in God’s presence, should spur us on to holiness, the Spirit enabling us.

The actual change toward holiness in the sinner occurs with sanctification.

THE PHASES OF SANCTIFICATION

The table describes the three phases of the process of sanctification.

Phase	Process / When	Description	About Sin
One	Justification -------------- At moment of Salvation	The believer is born again. The Holy Spirit takes up residence. The believer is declared Justified. Kingdom Citizenship is established. Full relationship is restored with God. Jesus’ Righteousness is imputed to the believer’s account. A once-for-all Positional Holiness in Jesus	Freedom from the Penalty of Sin The Sin debt is resolved.
Two	Sanctification --------------- Ongoing from Salvation until Jesus’ Return	The Holy Spirit, through the renewing of their mind, guides the believer to shift from a worldly perspective to a Kingdom perspective. A Practical, Progressive Holiness	Freedom from the Power of sin. No longer a slave to sin but still subject to the temptation of sin nature.
Three	Glorification --------------- At Jesus’ Second Coming	We will see Jesus as He is in His full glory. We will be resurrected and conformed to the image of Jesus. A permanent, Ultimate Holiness	Freedom from the Presence of Sin. There will be no sin and therefore no temptation.

RESOURCES

Information on this page was influenced by the referenced site.

What is Sanctification? at gotquestions.org

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