Sanctification as Christ's Likeness in Believers
Sanctification is the process by which believers are made holy and conformed to the likeness of Christ, a work primarily attributed to the Holy Spirit [1, 3]. It involves more than a superficial moral improvement; it is a profound transformation of one's entire being, extending to the "whole man" [1]. This process is distinct from justification, which is a forensic act of God declaring a believer righteous, pardoning sins, and accounting them as having met the law's demands [6]. Sanctification, in contrast, is the ongoing work of making the believer actually holy [1].
The biblical understanding of sanctification emphasizes separation to God's service [3]. The Apostle Paul, for instance, speaks of being "sanctified in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:16, DRC) and refers to believers as those "called to be saints" [8]. This calling implies a setting apart for a divine purpose. The work of sanctification is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [3]. The Holy Spirit plays a special role in carrying out this work, bringing the believer's nature increasingly under the influence of the "new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration" [1].
Key biblical passages highlight the means and goal of sanctification. Jesus prayed for his disciples, "Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth" (John 17:17) [7]. This indicates that God's word is instrumental in the process of becoming holy [3]. The Apostle Paul also connects sanctification with the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:5) [2]. The ultimate goal of sanctification is to establish believers "blameless in sanctification before our God and Father, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints" (1 Thessalonians 3:13, YLT) [4]. This pursuit of holiness should lead to the mortification of sin [3].
The concept of sanctification also involves glorifying Christ. The Holy Spirit's work includes glorifying Christ by presenting him as the Messiah, the one who redeems and sanctifies, and who perfects saints [5]. John Chrysostom notes that sanctification is a "Laver, the Purification," reminding believers of their uncleanness from which God's loving-kindness has freed them, thereby fostering humility [8]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, links justification through faith in Christ with "God's method of justifying sinners through faith in his Son," which is foundational to the ongoing work of sanctification [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- 1 Timothy “For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. -- 1 Timothy 4:5”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 3:13 (YLT) — to the establishing your hearts blameless in sanctification before our God and Father, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Witness of the Holy Spirit — Is truth -- 1Jo 5:6. To be implicitly received -- 1Jo 5:6,9. Borne to Christ As Messiah. -- Lu 3:22; Joh 1:32,33. As coming to redeem and sanctify. -- 1Jo 5:6. As exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to give repentance, &c. -- Ac 5:31,32. As perfecting saints. -- Heb 10:14,15. As foretold by himself. -- Joh 15:26. In heaven. -- 1Jo 5:7,11. On earth. -- 1Jo 5:8. The first preaching of the gospel confirmed by -- Ac 14:3; Heb 2:4. The faithful preaching of the Apostles accompanied by -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Given to saints On believing. -- Ac 15:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justification — A forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; an”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:17: The next thing he prayed for for them was that they might be sanctified; not only kept from evil, but made good. I. Here is the petition (Joh 17:17): Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth; it is true - it is truth itself. He desires they may be sanctified, 1. As Christians. Father, make them holy, and this will be their preservation, Th1 5:23. Observe here, (1.) The grace desired - sanctification. The disciples were sanctified, for they were not of the world; yet he prays, Father sanctify them, that is, [1.] "Confirm the work of s”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 3:9: And be found in him - Be found a believer in Christ, not having mine own righteousness - not trusting in any thing I have done or could do, in order to my salvation; relying on no scheme of justification, set up either formerly by myself or by others. But that which is through the faith of Christ - That justification which is received by faith through the atonement made by Christ. The righteousness which is of God - God's method of justifying sinners through faith in his Son. See the notes on Rom 3:21, Rom 3:23 (note), Rom 3:25 (note), where this subject is trea”