Sanctification: The Ultimate Goal
Sanctification is a big, “churchy” word that people often use without knowing the definition. In short, sanctification is becoming more like Christ (2 Timothy 2:21, Galatians 2:20). It entails letting the Holy Spirit fully consume you, so much so that He takes his rightful position on the throne of your heart with ease, fashioning you to become more like Jesus.
Sanctification does not happen overnight. As a matter of fact, it is a lifelong process with no end in sight. There is no way for anyone to reach the maximum amount of sanctification, for such a thing does not exist. Sanctification happens daily. It involves choices to be made in favor of God over fleshly desires.
Sanctification is NOT an easy process to go through. It requires a full dependence on God for help. We must remember that sanctification does not happen within our own power, only by the Holy Spirit’s work within us will we ever look more like Jesus rather than ourselves.
You may be wondering, “Well, how do I begin the process of sanctification? What does that look like in my everyday life?” These are great questions. The very first thing that we must address when it comes to sanctification is our place as the imago Dei, the image of God, in the world (Genesis 1:27). Human beings are special in that we are the only creatures that are created in the image of God. The imago Dei not only reminds us of the original, God-given purpose of humanity, but also the coming restoration that has been foretold.
As the imago Dei, we have a unique role. We have been given the “breath of life” directly from God, as Genesis 2:7 says. We are the only beings that can have a relationship with God. Humans are the only creatures with souls that can be given to Christ via salvation. We have been commanded to rule over the earth as its caregivers and stewards (Genesis 1:26-28). If we want to fully assume our role as the imago Dei, we must know what defines it. In order to fulfil, we must understand “how” and “why” by looking at the Word of God.
Next, we must abandon shame and guilt that hold us back from fulfilling our role. These factors limit the sanctification process. We must remember that there is no condemnation in Christ and that He gives life, freedom, and forgiveness if we let Him (Romans 8:1). Satan WILL try to play tricks on your mind during the sanctification process. Satan does not want you to become more like Christ or grow in Him, so he will tell you lies that will distract you from your original purpose. Be prepared to speak biblical truth to those lies and stay on track.
Lastly, we must renew our minds, reset our focus, and practice spiritual disciplines. Invest in your relationship with God. Remember Philippians 1:6. It is too easy to get busy and caught up in things that seem to matter more in the moment. However, sanctification affects all areas of our lives, making it a key element that requires immediate attention every day. We must wake up and choose a mindset of sanctification. Sanctification must become habitual and take precedent over other things in our lives if we want to gain the full effect.
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Did this blog pique your interest? Have more questions? Want to learn more? If so, LINK to a blog about the Trinity, a key topic within Christianity that is directly related to sanctification!
Madison Burnette is a Religion major at Carson-Newman University. She is a Nashville native and an aspiring writer. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, singing, reading, and trying local coffee shops with her friends. She has a heart for sharing the hope of Jesus with others through her platform. Her favorite Scripture is Psalm 73: 25-26.
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