Sanctification

Define sanctification: "To set apart" for a special use or purpose.

Sanctification is a work of God's free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God & are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

It means that you become more and more like Jesus and when you become more and more like Jesus, you become more and more set apart. When you are like Jesus, you are becoming the exact opposite of the world... The Word of God has a lot to say about sanctification and how we are to "PUT OFF" the deeds of the flesh and "PUT ON" the Spirit.

Here is a visual....

THE FLESH=
Sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, envy, bitterness, wrath, evil speaking, drunkenness

VS>

THE SPIRIT=
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, self-discipline, tenderhearted, forgiving, compassion

The Bible says we are to PUT OFF the flesh and put on the Spirit... ok. Here is the picture. We're girls. When we get ready to go somewhere we typically change shirts a few ok no..several times!! When we take one shirt off and put another on....do we typically leave one sleeve of the first one on? Or maybe the first shirt neck is still hanging? Of course not! There is literally no trace of the first shirt when the new one is put on. THAT is what Paul says our goal should be in Colossians 3:5-11 and again in Ephesians 4:17-32! He says we are to take off the OLD MAN and put on the NEW MAN. 

Now you may be thinking....it is impossible for me to completely get rid of everything that resides in that above list that represents my flesh! and you know what? your right. We will not be perfect until we see Jesus face to face. However, the daily desire and commitment to die to ourself and take up our cross, our choice to not feed the members of our flesh but to take every thought captive and be filled with the Spirit.

1 John 3:2-3 says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He  is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure."

Living in the reality of Christ's return changes a believer's behavior. Don't you want to be found living in a manner worthy of the Gospel when that day comes? The Bible says those that know and love Jesus "purify" themselves as He is pure in anticipation of that day that shall see Him face to face.

This is sanctification.