Sanctification 101

Fair warning, what follows may be a little more explicitly theological than usual…

Sanctification is a crucial part of every believer’s walk. At the most basic level, it refers to the process of becoming more holy. But what we often do not realize is that there are actually three types of sanctification: positional, progressive, and perfected. Positional sanctification begins at the moment of regeneration (salvation) and describes a “definitive cleansing from sin” that results from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is evident in Acts 20:32 when Paul speaks of a certain group of Christians as receiving an inheritance “among all those who are sanctified.” In other words, all Christians can be described, in one sense, as sanctified. Later, in Acts 26:18, Paul recounts his encounter with Christ and quotes Christ as speaking of people who “receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in [Him].” Thus, positional sanctification is tied to our inheritance and faith in Christ. It is simultaneous with the moment of regeneration and justification, wherein the person becomes spiritually alive, turns to Christ, repents, believes in faith, and is declared righteous by God.

Crucially, the close relationship between positional sanctification and the moment of salvation should not be misconstrued as describing some sort of salvation by works. Positional sanctification has nothing to do with any actions that we do. Works can never save us. Rather, it merely describes our new status in Christ. Just as we are justified and saved, so are we sanctified.

The second type of sanctification, progressive sanctification, is what we usually mean when we describe sanctification. It is the ongoing battle with sin that remains in the life of the believer and constitutes the continual putting to death of sin. To be clear, this process does not end for even the most faithful believer in this life. Progressive sanctification is described in Romans 12:2 as being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” and in Philippians 3:12 where Paul describes his need to “press on so that [he] may lay hold of that for which also [he] was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”

What is interesting about progressive sanctification is that unlike salvation, which is solely a work of God, in progressive sanctification, we actually work with God to bring about results. Theologians say that the believer works to overcome sin even as God grants him or her the power to do so. Put differently, God commands or initiates the change and we respond in Spirit-empowered, faithful obedience. This is nowhere more evident than in Philippians 2:12-13, where Paul tells his readers to “work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in [them].” We are to work out our salvation, to live it out, but it is God who is working in us. Passages that point to man’s role in progressive sanctification include Romans 8:13, “putting to death the deeds of the body,” 2 Timothy 2:22, “flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness,” 1 Thessalonians 14:3, “abstain from sexual immorality,” John 5:14, “do not sin anymore,” Hebrews 12:14, “pursue peace…and sanctification,” and 2 Corinthians 7:1, “let us cleanse ourselves.” 

Passages that point to God’s role in progressive sanctification include 2 Corinthians 3:18, “we are…being transformed,” Ephesians 3:16, “He would grant you…to be strengthened,” 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “may the God of peace Himself sanctify you,” John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth,” 1 Peter 1:2, “by the sanctifying work of the Spirit,” and Galatians 5:17, “the Spirit [sets its desire] against the flesh.” Importantly, man’s role should never be understood to supersede God’s role in progressive sanctification. God is the one who sanctifies ultimately and completely. It is His work in man’s inner nature that makes success possible.

The third type of sanctification is perfected sanctification. This is the ultimate completion of sanctification in the believer, wherein there is no more sin, and does not occur in the present life. 1 Corinthians 13:12 speaks of how we will “know fully” once we see “face to face.” 1 John 3:2 says that “when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” Finally, Hebrews 12:23 describes those in heaven as the “spirits of the righteous made perfect.” Of course, once we “know fully,” are “like [Jesus],” and are the “righteous made perfect,” there will be no room for sin in our souls.

I need to emphasize that perfected sanctification is not possible in our present life. 1 John 1:8 very simply says that “if we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” While the Holy Spirit offers victory over sin in the believer’s life, perfection is not achieved until we enter glory one day with Christ. That being said, some level of PROGRESSIVE sanctification must accompany saving faith for it to be genuine. That is to say, while works never save anyone, they are the fruit of genuine salvation. This is clear in James 2:14 where it says “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” The answer is no, because a so-called faith that does not bear fruit in progressive sanctification is no true faith.

So why do I say all of this? Why do we care about positional, progressive, and perfected sanctification? It was right there in one of the first verses I used, Romans 12:2. As Christians, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We must dwell on, and learn heavenly truths, because they are how we better come to know God and His Son. And once we better know His Son, we can be more like Him. We can be sanctified.

Want to know how to pursue progressive sanctification? Stay tuned…

Sources

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth edited by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue