Sanctification Is God’s Will for Every Believer
When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are justified—declared righteous before God. But His will does not stop there. God wants you to be sanctified—to grow in holiness, becoming more like Christ in your thoughts, actions, and desires. Sanctification is not optional. It’s central to living in God’s will.
1. The Biblical Command for Sanctification
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”
- 1 Peter 1:15–16 – “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
- Hebrews 12:14 – “Pursue peace with all people, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
Sanctification means living set apart for God’s purposes, rejecting sin, and reflecting His character.
2. The Two Sides of Sanctification
Positional Sanctification
– What God Declares at Salvation
- 1 Corinthians 6:11 – “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
At salvation, God sets you apart as His own. This is immediate and complete in His sight.
Progressive Sanctification
– What God Develops Over Time
- Philippians 1:6 – “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.”
Progressive sanctification is the daily growth of becoming more like Christ, which continues throughout your life.
3. Biblical Examples of Sanctified Living
Joseph – Genesis 39
Joseph refused the advances of Potiphar’s wife, saying, “How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” He valued obedience over comfort and chose prison over compromise.
Daniel – Daniel 1:8
Daniel “made up his mind” not to defile himself with the king’s food. His decision to honor God set the course for his entire life and testimony.
Paul – Acts 20:24
Paul counted his life as nothing compared to finishing the course God gave him—preaching the Gospel faithfully.
4. How Sanctification Happens
- By God’s Word – John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
- By the Holy Spirit – 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – “…God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
- By Obedience – James 1:22 – “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers…”
- By Avoiding Sin – Romans 6:19 – “…present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.”
Sanctification is God’s work in you, but it requires your cooperation through obedience and dependence on His Spirit.
5. Living a Sanctified Life in 2025
In a world that normalizes sin and blurs moral lines, sanctification is more countercultural than ever. To live sanctified today:
- Set personal boundaries aligned with God’s Word.
- Guard your mind from immoral and destructive influences.
- Surround yourself with believers who encourage holiness.
- Practice quick repentance when you fall short.
Conclusion: God’s Will Is Your Holiness
Sanctification is not about being “better than others”—it’s about becoming more like Jesus. The world needs to see believers whose lives are visibly different because they reflect God’s holiness. And Jesus is the only thing you should measure yourself against, not those around you.
Prayer for Sanctification:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for setting me apart as Your own. Help me to walk in holiness, to resist temptation, and to reflect Your character in all I do. Fill me with Your Spirit and renew my mind daily through Your Word. Make me more like Jesus every day. Amen.
