Sanctification

The process of becoming more like Christ — your spiritual glow up

lightbulbSAINT-ification — the process of being made into a saint (set-apart person)

Definition

Salvation is instant; sanctification is the lifelong journey after. The Holy Spirit works in believers to gradually transform their character, desires, and habits to look more like Jesus.

Used In8 mentions across 7 books

1 corinthians

Who You Were vs. Who You Are

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Sanctification appears here as one of three transformation words Paul uses — being 'set apart' describes the Corinthians' new status as people called out of their former ways and dedicated to God.

1 peter

Chosen, Scattered, and Greeted

1 Peter 1:1-2

1 thessalonians

A Prayer That Covers Everything

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Sanctification is implicit in Paul's prayer for 'blameless hearts in holiness' — he's asking God to do the establishing work, framing spiritual growth as something God accomplishes in believers rather than something they achieve alone.

The God Who Finishes What He Started

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Sanctification is Paul's final pastoral word — he frames holiness not as a self-improvement project but as something God himself accomplishes in believers who stay connected and awake.

2 corinthians

Live Like the Promises Are Real

2 Corinthians 7:1

Sanctification is framed here not as a condition for God's acceptance but as the natural response to already being accepted — the pursuit of holiness flows from belonging, not from earning.

hebrews

The Body He Came to Offer

Hebrews 10:5-10

john

Set Apart by What's True

John 17:17-19

romans

The People Behind the Letter

0 Chapters0 Books0 People0 Places