Sanctification: A Lifelong Journey of Becoming More Like Christ

I can recall a time when I heard scriptures like Leviticus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:15-16 and wondered how God could possibly expect flawed, fickle humans to be holy. This seemed like such a tall order—an unrealistic expectation. Who could possibly be holy as God is? I knew I couldn’t.

At one point, this was my mindset. In my immaturity, I had already decided that I could never live up to the life God required of me. What I didn’t understand about God was that He wouldn’t ask me to be anything He didn’t also equip me to become. No, it wouldn’t happen overnight. It’s a process—a day-by-day, step-by-step, moment-by-moment journey. Sometimes, it’s even second by second.

God wasn’t requiring me to be holy in my own strength, nor was He expecting instant transformation. Instead, He calls us to sanctification—the process of being set apart and made holy as we submit and surrender to Him.

What is Sanctification?

Sanctification is the ongoing work of God in a believer’s life that transforms them into the image of Christ. It is both a positional and progressive process.

• Positional Sanctification happens the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior. We are declared holy because of Christ’s righteousness, not our own (1 Corinthians 6:11).

• Progressive Sanctification is the daily transformation that occurs as we walk with God, obey His Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to change us (2 Corinthians 3:18).

What’s the Purpose of Sanctification?

The purpose of sanctification is to prepare us for a life of holiness and intimacy with God. It is the process of shedding old sinful habits and learning to walk in the newness of life through Christ (Romans 12:1-2). It sets us apart for God’s purposes and aligns our hearts with His.

Why Do We Need It?

• To reflect Christ in our daily lives (Galatians 2:20)

• To grow in spiritual maturity (Hebrews 12:14)

• To overcome sin and live in freedom (Romans 6:22)

• To be a witness to the world (Matthew 5:16)

Scripture References on Sanctification

• John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…”

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

Practical Application: How Do We Walk in Sanctification?

1. Daily Surrender to God – Commit each day to Him and invite Him to transform your heart (Romans 12:1).

2. Spend Time in the Word – God’s Word purifies and renews our minds (Psalm 119:9).

3. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Guidance – We cannot change on our own, but the Holy Spirit empowers us (Galatians 5:16).

4. Repent and Turn from Sin – Sanctification involves an ongoing process of turning away from sin and toward righteousness (1 John 1:9).

5. Stay in Community – Fellowship with other believers strengthens and sharpens us (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The Holy Spirit is All You Need

You don’t have to strive for holiness in your own strength. God, through the Holy Spirit, is working in you, molding and shaping you according to His purpose. Move forward in grace, knowing that sanctification is a journey, not a one-time event.

As Philippians 1:6 reminds us:

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Let God do the work in you. Keep surrendering, keep trusting, and keep moving forward in His grace. Holiness isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress.