ARTICLE: WHAT DOES "SANCTIFICATION" MEAN?

2 Corinthians 4:6 says, "Light shines out of darkness, the One who has shone in our hearts gives us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ".

The "glory of God" is found in the face of Christ. In Him, nothing is obscure or hidden and we don't have a veil over our face as Moses did. The New Covenant, the gospel, the message of Jesus Christ is clear. The light has been turned on and as we continue on establishing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ we continue in the "Sanctification Process" which is what going from "glory to glory" is all about. The word "sanctification" is translated in many bibles as "separation". It is used in the New Testament, of the separation of the believer from evil, and it is the result of obedience to God (and His Word). "Progressive Sanctification"'is what gradually separates the People of God from the world and makes them more like Jesus Christ.

Sanctification differs from Justification in several ways. Justification is a one-time work of God, resulting in a declaration of "not-guilty" before Him because of the work of Christ on the cross. Sanctification is a process, beginning with justification and continuing throughout life. Justification is the starting point of the line that represents one's Christian's life; sanctification is the line itself.

Sanctification is a three-stage process - past, present and future. The first stage occurs at the beginning of our Christian lives. It is an initial moral change, a break from the power and love for sin. It is the point at which believers can count themselves as dead to sin but alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11). Once sanctification has begun, we are no longer under sin's dominion (Romans 6:14). There is a reorientation of desires, and we develop a love of righteousness. Paul calls it "slavery to righteousness" (Romans 6:16-17).

The second stage of Sanctification requires a lifetime to complete. As we grow in grace, we are gradually - but steadily - changing to be more like Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:18). This occurs in a process of daily spiritual renewal (Colossians 3:10). The Apostle Paul himself was being sanctified even as he ministered to others. Paul claimed he had not reached perfection, but that he "pressed on" to attain everything Christ desired for him (Philippians 3:12).

The third and final phase of sanctification occurs in the future. When believers die, their spirits go to be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Since nothing unclean can enter heaven (Revelation 21:27), we must be made perfect at that point. The sanctification of the whole person --body, soul and spirit -- will finally be complete when Jesus returns and we receive glorified bodies (Philippians 3 :21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-49).

Our role in sanctification is both passive and active. Passively, we are to trust God to sanctify us, presenting our bodies to God (Romans 6:13; 12:1) and yielding to The Holy Spirit. "It is God's Will that you be sanctified" (1 Thessalonians 4:3), and God will have His way.

My beloved family and friends in Christ, may we entrust our lives to "Progressive Sanctification" for in this process, The Holy Spirit is faithful in guiding us in becoming more and more like Jesus everyday. Also, may we all find blessed assurance in Father's "faithfulness in completing the work He has begun in us unto the coming of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). May you all be greatly blessed, encouraged, strengthened and inspired in your walk with Christ today.

Much love and prayers,

4-20-16 J.