Sanctification — Growing in Salvation

Salvation Has Three Tenses

When the Bible speaks of salvation, it uses three different tenses — and understanding them is essential to understanding the Christian life.

• **Past** — "You have been saved" (Ephesians 2:8) — justification, the once-for-all declaration of righteousness at the moment of faith
• **Present** — "You are being saved" (1 Corinthians 1:18) — sanctification, the ongoing process of being made holy
• **Future** — "You will be saved" (Romans 5:9-10) — glorification, the final completion of salvation at Christ's return

Sanctification is the middle tense — the lifelong journey between the moment you were justified and the day you are glorified.

What Is Sanctification?

Sanctification literally means being set apart — made holy. It is the process by which God progressively transforms a believer to become more like Jesus Christ.

And 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 Corinthians 3:18

This transformation is real, measurable over time, and entirely the work of God — though not without the believer's active participation.

God's Part and Our Part

Sanctification involves both God's sovereign work and the believer's genuine effort. These are not in competition; they operate together.

God's part:

• The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and produces the fruit of righteousness (Galatians 5:22-23)
• God works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)
• He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6)

Our part:

• Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)
• Put to death what is earthly in you (Colossians 3:5)
• Train yourself for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7)
• Pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)

The Christian life is neither passive resignation ("let go and let God") nor proud self-effort. It is active dependence — striving in the strength that God supplies (1 Peter 4:11).

Sanctification Is Not Optional

Some treat sanctification as an optional upgrade to the basic salvation package — nice to have, but not essential. The Bible does not support this view.

Jesus did not save us to leave us as we are. He saves us to transform us. "For this is the will of God, your sanctification." (1 Thessalonians 4:3). The grace that justifies also sanctifies. If a person shows no evidence of growing in holiness over time, it raises serious questions about whether their faith is genuine.

The Goal of Sanctification

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Thessalonians 5:23

The goal is complete holiness — spirit, soul, and body. That will not be fully achieved in this life. But it is the direction every genuine believer is moving in, by the power of the Spirit, toward the day when Christ returns and the work is complete.