Sanctification: When Jesus Moves In

A young man lives as a bachelor for many years. He is messy. Then he marries a sweet, beautiful, neat, clean young woman. After the wedding, she moves into his apartment. The first day she walks in, she takes one look and says, “What a mess!”

He is stunned. He thought things looked pretty good. Month‑old pizza in the refrigerator didn’t bother him. Six months of Sports Illustrated scattered across the floor didn’t bother him. Sheets unchanged for months didn’t bother him. Everything looked fine to him.

But when she moves in, a cleanup has to take place. She starts washing, scrubbing, organizing, and restoring order. It’s painful for the young man. He feels unsettled and uncomfortable. But once she gets the apartment clean, he begins to enjoy the cleanness. It was unsettling at first, but now that he sees the difference, he likes it. There had to be an adjustment period as the cleaning process began and continued.

This is exactly what happens when Jesus comes to live in our lives. He calls the things in our hearts filthiness. Paul writes:

“Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV)

This flies in the face of the world’s thinking.

The Jewel of Salvation

Salvation is like a multi‑faceted jewel. Up to this point, we have examined ten aspects of salvation — ten words describing Jesus’ amazing work in our lives.

All ten describe what God has already done. They are accomplished realities with ongoing results. We have been justified, adopted, saved by grace, and shown abundant mercy. These ten words describe the work of salvation in our past.

Now we come to the word that describes the ongoing work of salvation: sanctification.

What Sanctification Means

Sanctification is the Greek word hagiasmos. It means “to be set apart.” The basic meaning is twofold:

1. To be set apart, separated, consecrated. A piece of furniture could be declared holy — set apart from all other tables. God has done this with us. He has taken us from the realm of the lost and placed us in the realm of the saved.

2. To be made holy. This includes removing evil. We are separated from sin and set apart for God’s service. This is the ongoing work of God in our lives.

Sanctification is God’s work of developing a new life in us. He is bringing us toward the perfection He intended all along. Step by step, He guides us toward the purpose for which He set us apart.

Like all aspects of salvation, sanctification did not originate in our minds. Jesus Himself prayed for it:

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17, 19, NIV)

God’s purpose for you is holiness. Our part is to cooperate with Him — what Paul meant when he said to “work out your salvation.”

The Difference Is Clear

Because of sanctification:

• Our standing is different. We are set apart.

• Our nature is different. We are born of the Spirit.

• Our master is different. We serve the Lord Jesus.

• Our aim is different. We live to please Him.

• Our citizenship is different. Earth is not our home; we long for heaven.

• Our life is different.

• Our destiny is different.

How Sanctification Happens

Scripture gives us a clear picture of how sanctification occurs:

1. We are sanctified by Jesus’ sacrifice.

His once‑for‑all work makes us right with God — and His ongoing work continues to change us.

2. We are changed by the Holy Spirit.

“…so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:16, NIV)

“…who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God… through the sanctifying work of the Spirit…” (1 Peter 1:2, NIV)

3. We are sanctified by God’s Word.

“Be diligent in these matters… so that everyone may see your progress.” (1 Timothy 4:15, NIV — brief excerpt)

“If you hold to my teaching… then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32, NIV)

4. We are cleansed through prayer.

We enjoy intimate conversation with God, and He shapes us as we draw near.

The Call to Walk With Him

Make no mistake — God calls you to walk with Him. You are to be made progressively holy.

The world will pressure you to yield to its standards. “Everyone is doing it.” The kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of Jesus are battling for your attention. You are called to yield to Him. Commit to His work of changing you.

Max Lucado said it well: “You are sinless, but you should definitely sin less.”

Five Steps Toward a Holy Life

• Ask God to create in you a clean heart. “Create in me a pure heart, O God…” (Psalm 51:10, NIV)

• Let Him cleanse you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us…” (1 John 1:9, NIV — brief excerpt)

• Accept His work in you.

• Stay separated from the world.

• Manifest the fruit of the Spirit.