12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, —Phil. 2:12
23 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. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. —1 Thess. 5:23-24
16 Do you not know that you[a] are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?…19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, —1 Cor. 3:16 & 6:19
5 For you are all children[a] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. —1 Thess. 5:15

Sanctification In Perspective

Sanctification is the continuing work of God in the life of the believer making him or her actually holy. By “holy” we mean “bearing an actual likeness to God” (in character) —Millard Erickson Christian Theology

Sanctification Explained From The Bible

Sanctification:

Is It?

Sanctification:

Does It Happen?

1. Sanctification has a definite beginning at your conversion.
2. A definite moral change takes place
3. A break from the love of sin and the rule of sin
4. Sanctification increases throughout your life
5. Sanctification is completed at your death

Sanctification:

Does It Happen?

1. Through The Truth Of The Word

17 Sanctify them[a] in the truth; your word is truth. —John 17:17
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— —1 Peter 2:2
2 My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?[a] —Psalm 42:2

1. Through The Power Of The Spirit

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. —Phil. 2:12-13

1. Through The Pressure Of Problems (Trials)

2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. —James 1:2-4

1. God will provide Grac (2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 4:16) Comfort (2 Cor. 1:4-7) Strength (Phil. 4:13) and Courage (1 Thess. 2:2) because He is Faithful (Ps. 23:1)

Sanctification Applied In Your Life

1. Can you remember in your own experience the definite beginning to sanctification that occurred when you became a Christian? (Did you sense a clear break from the ruling power and love of sin in your life?)

1. As you look back over the last few years of your Christian life, can you see a pattern of definite growth in sanctification?

1. Are there areas where you have struggled for years to grow in your sanctification with little progress, and are you willing to ask for help?