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What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification is the Holy Spirit's ongoing work of making justified sinners actually holy — putting sin to death and bringing every part of life into obedience to God. Reformed theology distinguishes its decisive beginning (the definitive break with sin's dominion at conversion) from its progressive, never-finished-in-this-life advance.
Key Passages
Common Questions
What is sanctification in simple terms?
Becoming in practice what you already are in Christ: set apart and increasingly holy. It is God's work in you, and your real Spirit-enabled effort, at the same time.
Is sanctification instant or gradual?
Both, in different senses: definitive sanctification is the once-for-all break with sin's rule at conversion (Romans 6), while progressive sanctification is the lifelong fight that is never complete this side of glory.