If you distilled Biblical Christianity down to its essence you would be left with three major factors:

Salvation, Sanctification and Glory to God.

Sanctification is the bridge between salvation and glory to God making it the crucial component of Christian living, the essential process upon which all growth depends.

Sanctification: Definition: The process of making holy; purifying from defilement, abstaining from all sinful behaviour. Purpose: To consecrate; set apart as holy for God’s use, (Lev.20:26, Matt. 5:14-16).

Salvation concerns what we get from God when we repent and trust Christ; Sanctification involves what God gets from us when we yield control of our lives to Him.

The believer’s sanctification should be born out of desire to live in such a way that pleases and glorifies God. It involves manifesting the personal holiness called for in (1Peter 1:15-16, and 2 Cor.7:1) which can only be accomplished by yielding to “the power that worketh in us.“ (Eph.3:20). Living a righteous life separate from the sins of this “present evil world” is not something we can do on our own.

Sanctification is more than a biblical principle to be understood; it a life to be lived. It entails learning to submit to an arduous process which gradually liberates from the dominion of sin and self-life; enabling us to “walk in the Spirit.”

God’s Will
Sanctification is God’s will for every one of His children, "For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour…”(1Thess.4:2-4).

“…come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” (2 Cor.6:14).

Prerequisite for the Masters use
Sanctification is prerequisite to being used of God:

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his, And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, SANCTIFIED, and meet [fit] for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Tim.2:19-21) [Emphasis mine].

Also consider, (Titus 2:11-15).

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem [justify] us from all iniquity, and purify [sanctify] unto himself a peculiar people [glorify], zealous of good works.” “…peculiar people” Compare, (Ex.19:5 & 1Peter 2:9).

“…a peculiar people: that ye should shew forth” proclaim God’s glory, both with our lips and our lives!

“And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”(Jn.17:19) “…thy word is truth” v.# 17 Compare, (Eph.5:26, John 15:3).

Transformation

Sanctification requires biblical knowledge, spiritual understanding (which together equal wisdom), submission, trust and TIME . It is all about CHANGE; transformation brought about by a refining process designed to purge the dross of sin and self, gradually conforming us to the image of Christ; rendering us, “sanctified, and fit for the masters use, and prepared unto every good
work.” (2 Tim.2:21).

This growth process involves a continual dying to self life (2 Cor.4:10-12 & 5:14-15). When Jesus said “follow me” (Luke 9:23) where was He going? Follow Him where? Follow Him to Calvary; to the cross which is an instrument of death; the death of self-life. The goal is to make us, “conformable unto his death” (Phil.3:10). “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30).

Jesus sacrificed His life to give us life…now, out of love and gratitude, He wants us to yield control of our lives to Him, learn to defer to His will so that He can live His life through us to reach others with His love.

Who’s in Control?

The primary goal of sanctification, on a spiritual level, is to bring glory to God. On a personal level the objective is to learn that we are no longer our own (1 Cor. 6:19-20). We “are bought with a price…” We belong to the Lord; we are saved to serve the One who paid the price. The ongoing lesson is to yield control of our lives to God.

“Train up a child…”

One of the first things a child must be taught is he or she is not in control; boundaries must be established. It is the parent’s responsibility to prevent the child from being overtaken and controlled by the inherited, rebellious sin nature. (First word a child learns is NO).

When boundaries are set and enforced with consistency the result will be security and stability; boundaries provide order in a child’s life (James 1:8); peace and joy in the parent’s life, (Prov.22:6).

True love sets boundaries and true happiness is to be content living within the boundaries of that love.

“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” (Prov.22:15).

Insight as to the fruit of “foolishness” is found in (Prov.19:3). If the inherent foolishness is not dealt with it will carry over into adulthood; resulting in great loss!

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Prov.29:15). [Emphasis mine].

“…left to himself” means his rebellious self-will has never been dealt with, never shown where or what the boundaries are, or the consequences of disobedience. This inherent tendency to disobey must be broken…the sooner the better “betimes” [early on] (Prov.13:24). This truth not only applies to our children but also to our relationship with our heavenly Father.

If you are saved you are a child of God.
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.” (Gal.3:26).

That there are unmistakable parallels regarding Biblical wisdom concerning physical parenting and God’s dealings with us, should be apparent.

As the child must learn, through repeated correction, to submit to the parent’s will, so must we painfully learn that we are not in charge; as blood bought children of God we must cease attempting to control our lives. Just as the young child, for his own good, must learn to live within certain boundaries, the same holds true of us.

Because surrender is at the heart of the sanctification process, we must continually learn and relearn under the chastening hand of a loving Father until we can daily say, as did our Saviour, “…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…”

Hebrews 12:4-11

4. “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

5. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7. If ye endure chastening, God dealt with you as sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”

8. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”

10. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” [Emphasis mine]

“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me…” (Ps.138:8).

Every Area of Life

The process of sanctification is multifaceted. The Bible contains many key doctrines, which (when applied,) play vital roles in the process of sanctification; teachings which are instrumental to the essential transformation of (Rom.12:1-2); vital principles which reach into every area of our lives (spirit, soul and body).

These numerous teachings all work together toward the same goals; instructing the believer concerning the necessity of dying to self-life and yielding daily to the indwelling Holy Spirit; allowing Him to expose those things which hinder our relationship with the Lord. Learning to identify “strongholds” both the obvious and the subtle. A problem recognized can be a problem solved.

“Strongholds”

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)…” (2 Cor.10:4).

Prior to salvation we lived, “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience…”(Eph.2:2). During that time we formed an unbiblical mindset.

Strongholds are corrupt concepts and beliefs that have taken root in the mind, resulting in ungodly thought patterns, which in-turn cause a distorted perception of both physical and spiritual reality. This accounts for the strong exhortation to all born-again believers found in, (2 Cor.10:4-5).

Prior to salvation the insidious influence of an ungodly society, along with unbiblical religious teaching and traditions, had thoroughly shaped our lives; our way of thinking. These sinful thought patterns were ingrained in our mind over the years as strongholds. The sobering reality is that the deformities of sin continue to mar the soul long after salvation.

Strongholds, whether they are from the past or present must be recognized, pulled down and replaced with God’s truth; if not they will eventually destroy you.

The account of the unclean spirit (Matt.12:43-45) having gone out of a man and later returning along with seven other wicked spirits upon finding the house empty illustrates it isn’t enough to cast down imaginations and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; something must fill the void. Before we can “put on” Christ (Rom.13:14) we must first “put off” something. Consider, (Eph.4:22-32 & Col.3:8-12).

As in the past our worldview had been thoroughly shaped by this world’s philosophy, now we must allow the truth of God’s word to change our way of thinking, acting and reacting.

Knowledge isn’t enough.

So often we hear it said: “Not out of duty but desire.” Desire is the fundamental prerequisite; the indispensable requirement to “…grow in the grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Consider, (Prov.2:1-6, Ps.37:4 & 25:4-5); DESIRE to know and obey him is the first step in the process of “sanctification.”

Desire and affections are inseparable.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt.6:21). “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col.3:1-7). Spiritual realities [understanding] (Col.1:9) enter the mind through the door of a sincere, truth seeking heart, which desires to please and glorify God. Our “affection” needs to be reoriented.

Every natural desire and ambition springs from self life, therefore in order for spiritual growth to take place, our desires MUST be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. A wise man evaluates his desires in relation to eternity.

“He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot (Martyred missionary)

Conformity, the Object of Sanctification

Again, having information about Christ’s life revealed to us is not enough…genuine Christianity is having the life of Christ FORMED IN US, “…conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom.8:29). Also consider, (Eph.4:13, 15) and Gal.1:16 & 4:19).

“…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Rom.12:1-2) [Emphasis mine].

Prior to salvation we were conformed to this “present evil world”. It is necessary to allow God to renew our minds. This is accomplished by INTERNALIZING HIS WORD, so as to let it dominate our thought life, CONFORMING to His way of thinking so that we can live in accordance with His heart and mind.

Remember, the mind is the battlefield!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa.55:8-9).

“I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their OWN THOUGHTS.” (Isa.65:2). [All emphasis mine].

“Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of THEIR THOUGHTS, because they have NOT HEARKENED UNTO MY WORDS, nor to my law, but rejected it.” (Jer.6:19). Also see, (Jer.7:23-24).

Right Response

“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.”(Ps.119:59).

It shouldn’t be hard to see the pivotal role of God’s word in our lives; for this very purpose we are commanded, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Col. 3:16).

This is the means of CONFORMITY by which we reform our thought process, the way we reshape our worldview so that it conforms to God’s view. “Let this mind be in you…” (Phil.2:5). Also consider, (Phil.4:8-9).

Sanctification involves a purification process through God’s word & Spirit

For this reason cultivation of a personal relationship with Christ is one of the crucial components of sanctification. “Abide in me, and I in you.” (John 15:4), “That I may know him…” (Phil. 3:10), “Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh to you…” (James 4:8).

Consider the profound effect a daily intake of God’s word can have on our lives; the beneficial influence of an ongoing relationship with God and His word.

Consider, (Prov.6:20-24) “lead thee”, even in your sleep it will “keep thee” during the day it will, “talk with thee”, provide “light” for guidance and correction “keep thee” from evil temptations. Point is, if you yield to it, God’s word will transform your life; gradually conforming you to Christ.

As the saying goes, “you are what you eat”, the same is true concerning our mental consumption of God’s word. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt.4:4).

Saturate your mind with His word until it permeates your whole being…until your thoughts, actions and reactions reflect His… “grow up into him [Christ] in all things…” (Eph. 4:15); another way of saying “…put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom.13:14).

Sanctification through the word and the Holy Spirit is the HOW to “…put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof.” (Rom.13:14).

To be filled with the word of God is to be filled with the Spirit of God; compare (Eph.5:18-21 with Col.3:16-17).

The two are inseparable…functioning in perfect unison, like electricity (Spirit) flowing through the filament (word) of a light bulb producing light in the process. “…in thy light shall we see light” (Ps.36:9). They operate so closely that the word of God is referred to as, “the sword of the Spirit…” (Eph.6:17).

Unrecognized Sin Hinders Sanctification

All sin SEPARATES us from God; it is always the factor responsible for breaking fellowship with the Lord, hindering the inner witness of the Holy Spirit,

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”(Isa.59:2).

The so called “major sins” such as adultery, cheating, lusting, stealing, etc. are the obvious obstacles…while the rationalization of our so called “little sins” or “natural flaws” is subtle.

Failure to recognize and acknowledge all forms of sin for what they are, a type of SELF-DECEPTION: Refusal to agree with God’s pronouncement that, “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”(Rom.14:23) is to, “…give place to the devil.”(Eph.4:27).

Little Sins?

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.”Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have DOMINION over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” (Ps.19:12-13). [Emphasis mine]

“The subtle forms of sin are those over looked disturbances (for which we have many excuses) such as: Fear, worry, doubt, anxiety, depression, critical spirit, unforgiving spirit, self-pity, pride, jealousy, envy, hypocrisy, selfishness, laziness, impure thoughts, wicked imaginations and such like.”

Notice, all of the above are WRONG REACTIONS which reveal what’s really going on in the MIND; our THOUGHT LIFE! Jesus said, “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men proceedeth evil THOUGHTS…” (Mark 7:20-21). [Emphasis mine]

These are not just character flaws or negative personality traits (as we prefer to call them), they are SIN! These are the hidden sins which secretly grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, breaking fellowship with the Lord; thereby stifling sanctification.