Sanctification is NOT a life long process. Sanctification is a gift.
We who believe, we who have placed our trust and faith in Jesus as our only source and our only hope of salvation, receive a bundled package.
1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB95
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 and 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻,
After all … 1 John 4:17 NASB95 tells us, “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, 𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗺.
Romans 3:21-22 NKJV
But now the righteousness of God 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘄 is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, [22] even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
I think we simply have a definition of terms difference.
Sanctification is not a process of becoming perfect or sinless which we achieve through our own efforts with the help of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is a recognition by God regarding us, because we are in Christ, that that we are set apart for his purposes and we are acceptable.
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2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
You see? Sanctification isn't something we earn through our own efforts at trying to improve ourselves. Sanctification isn't about behavior modification. Sanctification is imparted to us by the Holy Spirit because of our faith in Jesus as the only true way to the Father.
Hebrews 10:10 NASB
By this will, we 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.
We are sanctified through faith in Jesus.
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Acts 26:18 NASB
to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
The Holy Spirit sanctifies us.
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Romans 15:15-16 NASB
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, [16] to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Believers are considered sanctified saints.
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1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB
To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
We are not sanctified as believers because of what we do. We are sanctified because of where we are. It is not about performance. It is about position. Where is the new covenant believer positioned? We are positioned securely in Christ.
What many are calling “sanctification“ is really better phrased as “growing in Christian maturity.“ Of course, as we walk with the Lord, we do grow in Christian maturity. Walking with the Lord after 5 years looks entirely different than when we first began walking with the Lord. That though is not sanctification.
Sanctification, as I’ve already shown, is not a state of sinless behavior it is a state of sinlessness perfection before God! We are saved, justified and sanctified all by God declaring us so by his grace through our faith. When he looks at us to judge us, he sees the sacrifice, the lamb of God, and it is fully accepted.
Do we deserve it? No! That’s grace.
From my own journey in faith, I have often wrestled with the idea of sanctification as a gradual, endless process of striving for perfection. This article's perspective, highlighting sanctification as a gift bestowed upon believers through faith in Jesus Christ, resonated deeply with me. It shifts the focus from personal effort to the grace and position we have in Christ. In daily life, understanding sanctification as a positional reality rather than a behavioral achievement brings profound peace. It means that despite our flaws and failures, we are already sanctified before God because of Jesus' sacrifice. This conviction doesn’t excuse us from spiritual growth but reassures us that our acceptance by God is secure and not dependent on our perfect performance. Additionally, reflecting on scriptures like 2 Thessalonians 2:13, which speaks of salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith, has helped me see the Holy Spirit's active role in making us holy. It’s not through our own willpower but through His work in us that we are set apart. This viewpoint also clarified the distinction often blurred between sanctification and spiritual maturity. While sanctification is our position in Christ, growing in Christian maturity is the process of living out that reality and becoming more like Him day by day. Recognizing this helped me be more compassionate with myself and others, understanding that spiritual growth varies and is often non-linear. Overall, embracing sanctification as a gift helps me avoid the trap of legalism or performance-based spirituality. It invites me to live confidently as a sanctified saint, fully accepted and loved by God, empowered by His Spirit to grow and serve. This understanding transformed my faith from a pressure-filled journey into a grace-filled walk.
