Philippians 2:12-13 succinctly describes the process of sanctification:
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
We don't work for our salvation, but after we're saved we “work out” our salvation. Genuine believers begin the lifelong process of sanctification, and we begin changing.
✔ We quit conforming to the world (Romans 12:1-2).
✔ We deal intentionally with our sins, longing to please our Lord (Ephesians 4:22-24; Ephesians 5:10).
✔ We pray and study our Bibles (Philippians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15).
✔ We seek fellowship with and accountability to other true believers (Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 3:13).
Ephesians 4:22-24 describes this process as putting off our old self, “which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires” so we can renew our minds and put on our new self “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
And this is the best part: no one forces us to start this process. We want to change because we love our Lord! (Ephesians 5:1; John 14:21).
✔ For a fuller understanding of sanctification, read Ephesians chapters 4 and 5. See The Controlling Old Woman.
✔ If someone tells you that Christians need not worry about their sanctification because they're forgiven, refer them to Romans 6. See Grace and Works, Faith and Obedience.
✔ We can't change ourselves. But as we yield to the Holy Spirit, He changes us:
"But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth." 2 Thessalonians 2:13
See Our Part and God's Part - Philippians 2:12-13.
✔ Sexual purity is an important part of sanctification:
"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God...For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
See Being Christ-Followers in a Sexually Immoral Culture.
✔ Christians aren't perfect, but there will be evidence of sanctification in our lives:
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” 1 John 1:6
“No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” 1 John 3:6
See 7 Truths from 1 John.
✔ Love for our fellowman is another sign of our sanctification:
"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them." 1 John 2:9-11
See also 1 John 4:20, 1 John 3:10, 1 John 3:15, God's View of Racism, and 6 Choices that Kill Family Relationships.
Bible Love Notes
Thanks, I found this really helpful. I've often wondered about this scripture and what it meant.
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