Sanctification is a wonderful promise, and yet it is perhaps one of the more difficult parts of our walk with Christ. It is terrific because the result is real change and transformation. What makes it difficult is that it often involves pain, difficult choices, and an ongoing spiritual battle with our sinful nature.
This is real spiritual warfare, where the battleground is often within us—in our hearts and minds—and without the help of God’s Holy Spirit, we have little hope of ever escaping our chains and imprisonment. When Paul writes that we need to "work out our own salvation in fear and trembling," this is a great way to describe the process that involves sanctification (Philippians 2:12, Amplified Bible Classic). It is hard to give up our old way of living and our old way of thinking, especially in a world that holds little value for the things of God. We can expect resistance to confront us at almost every turn, and we can find ourselves lost in the forest of doubt and opposition, especially when we decide to commit fully to this transformation.
Defining God's Threefold Work
So what is sanctification? I think a good way to think about it is simply becoming more Christ-like in our character, in our person, and in our manner of living and dealing with others. It is the purging of our old sinful desires and the emergence of the new self—the new creation—that we all become at regeneration.To understand it fully, we must recognize the three parts of this process:
- Positional Sanctification (Past): This is the act of being set apart. It happened instantly when we were saved. In God’s sight, we are already holy and perfected because of Christ's sacrifice.
“For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14, Amplified Bible Classic) - Progressive Sanctification (Present): This is the ongoing process of becoming holy in practice. It is who we are growing to become as born-again Christians, as a holy people and a holy nation of royal priests. This is the part that requires us to "work out" our salvation.
- Final Sanctification (Future): This is the complete and final perfection we will experience when we are resurrected with glorified bodies and stand before Christ.
The Pruning of the True Vine
If we are to "work out" our salvation and become perfected by the power of the Holy Spirit, how exactly does God accomplish this inner work? I think one of the most poetic and beautiful ways it is described is by the words of the Lord Himself:If you have ever grown a garden, you know that the practice of pruning is critical if you want the best fruit or vegetables. Pruning removes dead growth, allowing vital nutrients to reach the healthy and thriving parts of the plant. It also increases the yield from the plant, resulting in a more abundant and superior harvest.“I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you… However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5, Amplified Bible Classic)
If we are like branches, abiding in Jesus, and we are to produce better and more excellent fruit, then we have to lose some things to gain others. This is why sanctification is a painful process: as we are pruned of the dross in our lives, loss is usually accompanied by pain and sorrow. We don't like to give up things we once loved, but it is a necessary process that will later bear more excellent fruit in due season.“Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit... He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.” (John 15:2)
What this looks like is unique to you and your life. It is impossible to say what it will mean for you and what it will mean for me. We have to learn to recognize this process so we can embrace the change as it comes, continuing to grow as we move and live in this world. Sanctification is how God makes us more fruitful for His kingdom, how we become more like Christ, and is the metamorphosis that leads to a better, more glorious, and truly abundant life here and in the life to come.
