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What is sanctification?

Romans 6:1-23 ESV / 36 helpful votes


 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  Definition: 
  1. Sanctification is a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is a once-for-ever separation, eternally unto God.

    Sanctification is intimately linked with redemption. You've heard of the term being born again,  1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And from the first linked above in Romans chapter 6 verses 1 to 23 it talks about the believer in Christ not continuing in sin or state of sinfulness. This is only done through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
    He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
    Sanctification is first accomplished by placing our faith in what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. That's sanctification is maintained by continually on a daily basis placing our faith in the finished work of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9
    For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
    While it is true that salvation is a free gift, and the author and finisher of our faith is the Lord himself, Faith in what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross must be placed on a daily basis, not to complete that finish work but to maintain our faith. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ, and sanctification is also a free gift offer to us at the time of our conversion! Romans 6:23
    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Sanctification is not a work accomplished by sacraments, but by faith alone in what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Romans 10:9-10
    that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
    In order to maintain one's Faith one must hear the word of God! 1 Peter 3:21
    Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
    Water baptism is a symbol of your new birth in Christ and is not a salvific act or an act of salvation. If that were the case salvation would not be a gift.
    John 1:12
    But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.
    To receive Christ means to believe on his name and that is done by an act of faith at the conversion of the sinner who understands that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God.




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