What Does the Bible Say About Sanctification?

Sanctification is the process by which a Christian separates himself more and more from the secular and devotes himself to the sacred. The ultimate goal of sanctification is to become what our Father has created us to be through the Holy Spirit’s shaping of us to become more like Jesus.  In the process of sanctification, one interacts with the Holy Spirit to stop sinning and instead do good.

Bible Verses

“²“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Le 19:2)

“³For this is the will of God, your sanctification:” (1 Th 4:3a)

“¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10)

“¹³But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” (2 Th 2:13)

“¹²So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” (Heb 13:12)

“¹⁷Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17)

“¹⁸And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Co 3:18)

“²⁹For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Ro 8:29)

“²Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 Jn 3:2–3)

“¹⁴Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14)

Study Questions

1. Why should we be sanctified?
2. Have you noticed any change in your life since you became a Christian?
3. Can one sanctify oneself or does it all depend on the work of the Spirit?
4. What can be an obstacle to sanctification?
5. How does the sanctification process work?
6. What is the goal of sanctification?

Additional Bible Verses

Phil 2:13, 1 Pet 2:2-3, 1 Tim 6:11-12, 1 Cor 6:11, Eph 1:4