A good friend and brother in Christ asked me about a month ago to to write my thoughts on the theme of sanctification. The topic is complex and worthy of the input of people much more gifted than I. However, I will offer a few reflections. Sanctification is the process by which genuine believers become more like Christ. (Conformed to His image, Rom. 8:29 cf. Genesis 1:26-27) This is done by the Holy Spirit through the truth of the Word of God. "God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (2 Thess 2:13b ESV) Jesus prays for this in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth." I believe it is a process which God initiates and perseveres in to which we must respond. Sanctification produces an increasing victory over sin and personal holiness without producing human pride. It means being dead to sin ( Romans 6), a life long struggle (Romans 7, Hebrews 12:4)and the ongoing intercession of both Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to the Father for us. (Rom. 8)It is more accurately seen in the flow of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) through our lives, especially in loving our brothers. ( Thirteen times in 1 John alone)
For a far more complete treatment I refer the reader to Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology" p.746ff.
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