The Process of Sanctification

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Sanctification is a Greek word that means to be “holy” or “separate”. Everyone who responds to God by placing their faith in Jesus Christ begins an immediate sanctification process. This process has three aspects to it.

1. Positional Sanctification

This is the position of those who are saved. Positional Sanctification is just as complete for the weakest and youngest believer as it is for the strongest and oldest believer. It depends only upon one’s union with and position “in Christ.”

2. Progressive Sanctification

This sanctification is called “progressive” or “experiential” sanctification, and is the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life that brings him closer to the likeness of Jesus Christ through obedience to the Word of God.

3. Permanent Sanctification

Permanent Sanctification takes place in the life to come. As believers we will be permanently sanctified by God in the life to come when we receive our glorified bodies. When this takes place we will be permanently sanctified from sin. We will never have to deal with or be bothered by our sin nature again. This permanent sanctification will happen on that day our Lord comes back for us. Paul informs us in Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in us will complete it on the day of Jesus Christ.” God will perfect all believers permanently the day Jesus comes back for us.

Just as Positional Sanctification will be affirmed through one’s experiential sanctification, Permanent Sanctification will be confidently realized through one’s consistent and unending experiential sanctification (cf. Hebrews 10:14). 

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