What is sanctification ?

Sanctification, in a Christian context, refers to the process of being made holy or set apart for God's special use and purpose. It is a multifaceted concept encompassing different stages and understandings across various Christian denominations.

Sanctification is the process by which a believer is made holy and increasingly conformed to the image of Christ, initiated by God at salvation and continuing throughout their life, ultimately culminating in glorification.

The term "sanctification" originates from the Greek word hagiasmos, meaning "holiness" or "a separation". To "sanctify" something means to set it apart for a special use, and to sanctify a person means to make them holy. This concept is deeply intertwined with the idea of holiness, which signifies being different or set apart from the world.

Stages of Sanctification

Christian theology generally identifies three main phases of sanctification:

1. Positional (or Definitive) Sanctification: This is a once-for-all separation of believers unto God that occurs at the moment of salvation. When a person is justified by faith in Christ, they are declared holy and righteous in God's sight, freed from the penalty of sin. This is a work God performs, an integral part of salvation and connection with Christ. The Bible states, "You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30, ESV).

   Progressive (or Experiential) Sanctification: This is the ongoing process throughout a Christian's life where they are continually being made more like Christ. It is the effect of obedience to God's Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, leading to growth in divine grace and spiritual maturity. While believers are positionally holy, they still struggle with sin, and progressive sanctification involves actively pursuing holiness, dying to sin, and living unto righteousness. This process involves understanding biblical truth (cognition), allowing it to shape one's life (conviction), and loving God's Word (affection).

2. Ultimate (or Complete) Sanctification / Glorification: This is the future, permanent, and total separation from sin that occurs when believers are glorified at Christ's return or at death. At this stage, believers will be completely transformed and made perfect, free from the presence of sin. As 1 John 3:2 states, "We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is".

Key Aspects and Denominational Views

• Divine and Human Roles: Sanctification is primarily God's work, performed by the Holy Spirit. However, believers are also called to actively participate through faith, obedience, and the application of God's Word.

• Relationship with Justification: While distinct, justification (removal of sin's guilt) and sanctification (healing of sin's dysfunctionality) are inseparable. Justification is a one-time declaration, while sanctification is a continuous process.

• Means of Sanctification: God uses various means, including His Word, prayer, the church, and divine providence, to sanctify believers. The Holy Spirit is the dynamic force behind sanctification, reproducing godly character and equipping believers for service.

• Denominational Differences:

  • Roman Catholicism emphasizes sanctifying grace as a new life and participation in the divine life, achieved through prayer, good reading, and frequent reception of sacraments.

  • Eastern Orthodoxy teaches theosis, where humans partake in the divine nature, restoring the likeness of God in man.

  • Lutheranism sees sanctification as commencing at justification, involving inner renewal by the Holy Spirit and living out that renewal through good works, though perfection is not attainable in this life.

  • Anabaptism views sanctification as a process initiated by being born again and practiced through discipleship, emphasizing the role of the Spirit, Word, suffering, and community.

  • Anglicanism generally sees sanctification as a progressive work of the Holy Spirit, inseparable from justification but distinct from it.

  • Baptists believe in progressive sanctification through grace and the believer's decisions after the new birth.

  • Reformed theology, following Calvin, views sanctification as progressive but incomplete until glorification, emphasizing that the grace of justification is not separable from the grace that empowers good works.

  • Methodism (Wesleyan-Arminian theology) teaches initial, progressive, and entire sanctification. Entire sanctification is a "second work of grace" where the heart is cleansed from original sin and perfected in love, though lifelong growth in grace continues.

  • Pentecostalism has two positions: some denominations, rooted in Wesleyan-Arminian theology, believe in entire sanctification as a second work of grace, sometimes followed by a third work (glossolalia); others, from Baptist or Reformed roots, teach progressive sanctification.

  • Quakerism (George Fox) taught Christian perfection, where believers could be made free from sin through reliance on the inward light and the cross of Christ.

  • Keswickianism teaches a second work of grace through "surrender and faith" that keeps an individual from sin, but differs from Wesleyan-Holiness in not seeing it as cleansing from original sin.

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints views sanctification as a process and gift from God that makes willing members holy through repentance, righteous efforts, and Christ's grace.

In essence, sanctification is God's transformative work in believers, moving them from the penalty of sin, through the power of sin, and ultimately to freedom from the presence of sin.