Sanctification is one of those messages from the scriptures that we don’t hear too much about. It is a word which is easy to define yet much more difficult to properly understand. It is an action which God performs (Jude 1) and simply means to be separated out of the world for God’s holy purpose. When completed, sanctification changes a sinner into a saint and therefore leads to salvation, 2 Thess 2:13.

Fortunately, there is a lot written in the Bible about sanctification. Mentioned 98 times in the Old Testament and 28 times in the New Testament, (KJV) we have no shortage of passages which shed light on this topic. Sanctification is a process which involves a number of important actions. According to Heb 10:10 and Heb 13:12 it involves the body and blood of Jesus specifically His death on the cross. Therefore, God considers sanctification important enough that He was willing to send Jesus, His only Son, to suffer and die so that we may enjoy the benefits that sanctification can provide. While Jesus died for the sins of the world, not everyone will benefit from His great sacrifice because God requires that we too play a part in our own sanctification as well. A part that most of us will never finish.

The apostle Paul points out that sanctification is also accomplished through the spirit (the word of God, Eph 6:17) and through belief of the truth, 2 Thess 2:13. Jesus Himself makes the same declaration in John 17:17. Even more about the process of sanctification is revealed by the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:2 where he also declares sanctification is through the spirit (again God’s word) then he adds, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus.

Remember that sanctification requires at least the following events. The death of Jesus on the cross, this is God’s part. Belief in God’s revealed word, God does the revealing, faith is our part, Rom 10:17. After this we are to be obedient to the commandments set forth in the New Testament.

Understanding sanctification and the process which brings it about is extremely important in becoming a Christian and receiving a crown of eternal life. God has already done most of the work in our sanctification by paying the price for our sins and giving us the guide which keeps us on the right path. As usual the weak link in the chain of events which lead us to heaven is us and our failure to use His word which is designed to produce faith, as well as our unwillingness to learn of those commandments which lead to becoming a Christian and living a faithful Christian life.

Our response to God’s word will determine our ultimate destiny. Through it we can be sanctified, we can be justified 1 Cor 6:11, we can be forgiven, we can become Christians, Saints and adopted sons of God. Without it we will be lost eternally.

Send comments or questions to the Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228 or email me at bryan.renita@gmail.com Check out our web page at clintwoodchurchofchrist.com