Sanctification is a process by which Christians grow in holiness, or nearness to the Lord. It is the unavoidable fruit of salvation. When a Christian is born again, they are joined to the vine of Christ (John 15), and as a consequence Christ’s Spirit flows in their veins (so to speak). They are joined to the vine as branches, and the result is that they will bear fruit.
But sanctification is hardly automatic. It is an inevitable fruit of justification, and a consequence of union with Christ, but it isn’t always easy. It starts and stops, advances and retreats. It requires effort and sacrifice. It involves repentance and renewal, and can have times of both quenching the Spirit and of being filled with the Spirit. And for all this, the closer you grow to God, the more you feel your own sin and the further you may feel from God. Sanctification is an inevitable fruit, but not an easy one.
The goal of these devotionals is to help you grow in understanding sanctification, and to grow in being sanctified. We will take time to look at a number of beautiful Bible passages about sanctification, and see how we can continue to walk in the Spirit by God’s grace. May the Lord use the teaching of His word to strengthen you in your walk with Him.
Sanctified
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:11
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 is a beautiful assurance of pardon. Verses 9-10 show the demands of God’s righteous judgment. Verse 11 shows the power of God’s gracious salvation in Christ. It highlights the definitive, powerful change that takes place in believers when they come to Christ. They are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus.
Theologians often distinguish between sanctification and justification in terms of time. Justification is a once for all declaration of God whereby, on account of the finished work of Christ and through faith in Him, a sinner is declared by God to be righteous. This declaration is once for all. Christians do not become more justified over time, and when they struggle in their Christian life they do not become less justified either.
Sanctification is described in a different light. Based on numerous Bible verses, it is described as the process of being made holy. It grows progressively throughout our Christian lives as the Spirit works in a believer to increasingly conform them to Jesus, their Saviour.
But verse 11 speaks of sanctification in the past tense, as if it has been accomplished, once for all. So what is true of you? If you are a Christian have you been sanctified, or are you being sanctified? Why is this important as we seek to walk nearer to God?
Suggestions for prayer
Ask that God would help you to understand His work in you through Christ.
Pastor Greg Bylsma is the pastor of the Living Water Reformed Church of Brantford, Ontario (a member church of the URCNA). He is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary and was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 2005. After over 20 years in the ministry, he still loves his job and considers it an incredible honour to be able to teach others about the beauty of Jesus Christ. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.