Week #1: Sanctification defined

Theology Thursdays

Apr 4

Blog Series Intention Recap

Many of us long for a fresh start. Our work, home life, or hobbies can feel stale. In our relationship with God, we may have fallen into what some have called “practical atheism,” as we believe but fail to live out that belief in our everyday life. This four-week series inspires us to move from practical atheism to a flourishing faith that informs every aspect of our public and private lives, as we rediscover our most basic sanctification practices.

This post is a part of the series “Same Old Me.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.

Let’s jump into Week #1:

Sanctification is the process by which Christians grow to be more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, measured by the growth of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

Why it matters:

Sanctification means becoming holy and more like Jesus.
It is a lifelong process that starts when we first believe in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit helps us grow and change, producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Reading the Bible, praying, and following Jesus' teachings are important for sanctification.

Go Deeper

Sanctification is a key concept in Christianity. It describes how believers grow to be more like Jesus. This process is not instant; it takes time and effort. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, Christians can become more holy and reflect Jesus in their lives. A key way to measure this growth is by the fruit of the Spirit. Let's explore what sanctification means, how it happens, and why the fruit of the Spirit is important.

What is Sanctification?

Sanctification comes from a word that means "to make holy." When we talk about sanctification in a Christian sense, we are talking about the process of becoming more like Jesus. This means our thoughts, actions, and character start to reflect Jesus more and more. It's like a journey. When we first believe in Jesus, we start this journey and keep walking on this path our whole lives. Sanctification

The Beginning of Sanctification

Sanctification begins the moment we believe in Jesus. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are justified. This means we are made right with God. Justification happens once, but sanctification continues throughout our lives. It's like planting a seed. Justification plants the seed, and sanctification is the growth that happens after justification. Many people will confuse the two and get salvation by works instead of salvation by faith alone.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is very important in sanctification. When we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us (Ephesians 1:13). The Holy Spirit helps us understand God's Word, the Bible. He gives us the strength to follow God's commands and resist temptation. He also convicts us when we walk in sin. (John 16:5-15). Think of the Holy Spirit as a guide who leads us and helps us grow in our faith.

The Fruit of the Spirit

A key way to measure our growth in sanctification is by the fruit of the Spirit. The Bible talks about this in Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we see these qualities growing in our lives, we have evidence that shows we are becoming more like Jesus.

Love: Caring for others and putting their needs before our own.
Joy: Having a deep happiness that comes from knowing God.
Peace: Feeling calm and trusting God, even when things are hard.
Patience: Being able to wait without getting upset.
Kindness: Being nice and considerate to others.
Goodness: Doing what is right and being a good example.
Faithfulness: Being reliable and trustworthy.
Gentleness: Being soft-hearted and careful with others.
Self-Control: Being able to control our actions and feelings.

Growing in Sanctification

Sanctification is not something that happens automatically. We have to put effort into growing. Here are some ways to grow in sanctification:

Reading the Bible: The Bible is God's Word. It teaches us about God and how He wants us to live. By reading the Bible, we learn more about Jesus and how to be like Him.
Praying: Prayer is talking to God. Through prayer, we can ask for God's help, confess our sins, and thank Him for His blessings. Prayer helps us stay close to God.
Obeying God's Commands: Jesus gave us many teachings and commands. By obeying these, we can grow in sanctification. This includes loving others, being honest, and showing kindness.
Fellowship with Other Believers: Spending time with other Christians helps us grow. We can encourage each other, learn from each other, and pray for each other.
Other Spiritual Disciplines: There are many spiritual disciplines, such as fasting and solitude, that help us to grow the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

The Ongoing Journey:

Sanctification is a lifelong journey. We won't be perfect until we are with Jesus in heaven. But every day, we can take steps to become more like Him. This means we should always be growing and learning. There will be times when we make mistakes or face challenges, but we can always rely on God's grace and the Holy Spirit's help to keep going.

How does this help me understand the “Same Old Me?”

Sanctification is an essential part of the Christian life. It's the process of becoming more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. By reading the Bible, praying, obeying God's commands, and spending time with other believers, we can grow in our faith. Remember, sanctification is a journey, and with God's help, we can keep moving forward every day.

Sanctification is a journey of growing to be more like Jesus. As we walk this path, we rely on the Holy Spirit's help. By engaging in practices like reading the Bible, praying, and being in fellowship with other believers, we can steadily grow in our faith and holiness. This journey continues throughout our lives, bringing us closer to God and making us more like His Son, Jesus. One of the best ways to see this growth is by looking at the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. As we see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control growing in us, we know we are becoming more like Jesus.