18/02/2025
2. God's Work in Sanctification
Key Scriptures:
John 17:17 (KJV) – "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Understanding Sanctification
Sanctification is the process by which God makes us holy and transforms us into the image of Christ. While salvation is a one-time event that happens when we place our faith in Jesus, sanctification is a lifelong journey where God continues to work in us, helping us to grow spiritually.
Think of salvation as planting a seed and sanctification as the growth process that follows. Just as a plant takes time to grow and bear fruit, believers grow gradually in faith, character, and obedience to God.
Sanctification: Becoming More Like Christ
After salvation, we are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), but we still struggle with our old sinful nature. Sanctification is God’s way of shaping us, removing our sinful habits, and helping us reflect the character of Jesus.
The Bible describes sanctification as:
A cleansing process (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.")
A renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2 – "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.")
A spiritual transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18 – "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.")
Sanctification is not something we can achieve by our own strength. It is God’s work in us, but we must cooperate with Him by yielding to His Word and Spirit.
1. God Uses His Word to Sanctify Us
John 17:17 – "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
This verse is part of Jesus' prayer for His disciples before His crucifixion. He asked God to sanctify them through His truth, which is His Word.
How Does God’s Word Sanctify Us?
1. The Word of God Cleanses Us
Just as water cleanses the body, God's Word cleanses our hearts and minds.
Ephesians 5:26 – "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."
2. The Word of God Reveals God’s Will
When we study the Bible, we learn what pleases God and what does not.
Psalm 119:105 – "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
3. The Word of God Renews Our Thinking
Before salvation, our minds were shaped by the world. But as we study God’s Word, our minds are renewed, and we begin to think and act like Christ.
Romans 12:2 – "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
How Can We Allow God’s Word to Sanctify Us?
Read it daily – Just as physical food nourishes the body, spiritual food (God’s Word) nourishes our soul. (Matthew 4:4)
Meditate on it – Thinking deeply about God’s Word helps us understand and apply it. (Joshua 1:8)
Obey it – It’s not enough to just read the Bible; we must apply what we learn. (James 1:22)
When we make God’s Word a priority in our lives, it transforms us from the inside out.
2. God Produces Spiritual Fruit in Us
Galatians 5:22-23 – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Sanctification is not just about avoiding sin; it is about becoming more like Christ and developing His character. This is known as bearing spiritual fruit.
What is the Fruit of the Spirit?
When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, He produces qualities that reflect Jesus:
1. Love – Selfless and unconditional love for God and others.
2. Joy – Deep inner happiness that is not dependent on circumstances.
3. Peace – A calm trust in God, even in difficult situations.
4. Patience (Longsuffering) – Endurance through trials without complaining.
5. Kindness (Gentleness) – Treating others with compassion.
6. Goodness – Living with integrity and moral excellence.
7. Faith (Faithfulness) – Trusting in God and being reliable in our commitments.
8. Meekness (Humility) – Strength under control, not being proud or arrogant.
9. Self-control (Temperance) – The ability to resist sinful desires.
How Does God Produce Fruit in Us?
Through the Holy Spirit – We cannot produce these qualities on our own. They come from God working in us. (John 15:5 – "Without me ye can do nothing.")
Through Trials and Testing – God often allows challenges to shape our character. (James 1:2-4)
Through Prayer and Dependence on God – We must ask God to fill us with His Spirit daily.
When the Holy Spirit is active in our lives, people can see the difference. Our words, actions, and attitudes reflect Christ.
Sanctification is a Lifelong Process
Many people expect to become perfect overnight, but sanctification takes time. Just as a baby grows into an adult gradually, a believer matures spiritually over time.
What Does This Process Look Like?
1. God Convicts Us of Sin – When we do something wrong, the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts. (John 16:8)
2. God Helps Us Overcome Sin – Sanctification involves breaking sinful habits and developing godly ones. (Romans 6:11-14)
3. God Strengthens Us Through His Spirit – We do not grow in holiness by our own strength but by God’s power. (Philippians 2:13)
4. God Uses Trials to Shape Us – Difficult situations teach us patience, faith, and trust in God. (Romans 5:3-5)
5. God Will Complete His Work in Us – Though we are not yet perfect, God is faithfully working in us until the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
Conclusion
Sanctification is the second stage of God’s work in a believer’s life. After saving us, He begins to shape us into the image of Christ. This happens through:
1. The power of His Word – God’s truth cleanses and transforms us.
2. The work of the Holy Spirit – The Spirit produces fruit in our lives.
3. A lifelong process – God continually works in us, removing sin and helping us grow in holiness.
Our role is to cooperate with God—reading His Word, yielding to His Spirit, and obeying His commands. As we do this, we will see God’s work in us and reflect the character of Jesus more and more.
May we continually surrender to God’s sanctifying work in our lives. Amen!
God bless you.
Dr. O. I Chinagorom