Sanctification

Sanctification means to become holy. Literally, it means “to set apart for a special purpose,” which is synonymous with “to make holy.” The Bible mentions sanctification hundreds of times, sometimes translated as “holy,” “holiness,” or “to be made holy.” All of these terms mean “to be set apart,” “to be separated from sin,” and “to be set apart for a holy life.”

The Bible teaches that sanctification is God’s will for believers, so He can “separate them from sin and dedicate them to Himself.” Sanctification is accomplished through God’s Word, the blood of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, and God’s cultivation. It also requires the believer’s own obedience to God and pursuit of holiness, making them a complete and holy fruit. When believers confess their sins, repent, are born again, and receive salvation, they are positionally made God’s children and are already sanctified. However, in daily life, because of contact with the world, they may still become defiled. They should promptly repent and ask the Lord for cleansing. This process continues until the return of Jesus Christ, when they will be completely sanctified.

The Bible records:

[Leviticus 20:24b, 26] I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples. You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.

[Leviticus 22:32] And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

[1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7] For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; For God did not call us to impurity, but in holiness.

[John 17:17, 19] Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Edited and compiled based on the Chinese Union Version Bible and Comprehensive Biblical Interpretation.