Sanctification is the process of being made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. Several key passages in Scripture speak to how God sanctifies His people and calls them to lives of holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
This passage teaches that sanctification involves avoiding sexual immorality and learning to control one’s own body in holiness and honor. God’s will is for believers to be sanctified and avoid impurity. Rejecting these commands rejects God and His Spirit.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in passionate lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Because we have the promises of God as His children, we should cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
1 Peter 1:13-16
As obedient children of God, we are called to be holy just as He is holy. Holiness includes preparing our minds for action and being self-controlled rather than conforming to former ignorant desires.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Romans 6:19-23
When we were slaves to sin, the result was death. But now we have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, resulting in sanctification and eternal life. The wages of sin were death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.
I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hebrews 12:14
We are exhorted to strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Ephesians 5:25-27
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by washing with water through the word. His goal was to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
God’s firm foundation stands bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” To be made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work, we must cleanse ourselves from wickedness and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
Titus 2:11-14
The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions so that we might live self-controlled, upright and godly lives as we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from lawlessness and purify for Himself a people who are His very own, eager to do good works.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace equip us with everything good for doing His will. May He work in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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.
Philippians 2:12-13
As we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. We have a role to play in sanctification, but ultimately it is God’s work in us.
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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
The One who calls us is faithful and He will sanctify us completely so that our whole spirit, soul, and body is kept blameless at the coming of Jesus Christ. God who calls us to holiness will finish the work of sanctification in us.
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. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
In summary, key passages on sanctification in Scripture show it is God’s will for every believer, involves cleansing from sin and pursuit of holiness, is only possible by the Spirit’s work in us, requires our participation through things like renewing our minds and cleansing ourselves from wickedness, and will one day be brought to completion when we see Jesus face to face.