Sanctification: Becoming Like Jesus

We all want to grow.

As believers, there is a deep desire within us to look more like Jesus today than we did yesterday. We want to love more deeply. We want to be more patient. We want the "old self" to stop showing up so often.

In the church, we use a big word for this process: sanctification.

It sounds like a heavy, academic term. But at its heart, sanctification is simply the story of God changing us. It is the journey of being set apart for His purposes and becoming who we were always meant to be in Christ.

At Boundless Online Church, we believe that understanding this process is vital for your walk with God. It isn't just about trying harder. It is about yielding better.

The Heart of the Matter

What does it actually mean to be sanctified?

According to the Assemblies of God Truth #11, sanctification is an act of separation.

First, it is a separation from what is evil. Second, it is a dedication unto God. It is a two-fold movement: walking away from the things that destroy us and walking toward the One who gives us life.

The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through."

This isn't a DIY project. It is a work of the Holy Spirit. While we participate in the process, God is the primary architect of our transformation.

The Work is Already Finished

There is a beautiful tension in sanctification.

In one sense, you are already holy. The moment you put your faith in Jesus, God looked at you and saw the righteousness of His Son.

This is what theologians call "definitive sanctification."

You have been moved from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. You are no longer a slave to sin. You are a child of God. This position doesn't change based on your performance.

Hebrews 10:10 says, "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

You don't have to earn your way into God's family. You are already there. You are already "set apart" because of what Jesus did on the cross.

The Journey Continues

While our position is secure, our practice is still catching up.

This is the second part of the story: "progressive sanctification."

This is the lifelong process where our daily lives begin to match our spiritual reality. We are holy, so we are learning how to live holy lives. We are children of light, so we are learning how to walk in the light.

Think of it like a child who is born into a royal family. They are a prince or princess from the moment they are born. That is their identity.

However, they still have to learn how to act like royalty. They have to be trained. They have to grow.

Our life in Christ is similar. We are learning to live out the identity Jesus has already given us.

Separation for a Purpose

In our culture, the word "separation" often sounds negative. We think of being lonely or isolated.

But biblical separation is different.

In the Bible, being "set apart" means being reserved for something special. Imagine a set of fine china that is only used for the most important celebrations. It isn't used for everyday tasks because it is special. It is set apart.

You are God’s "fine china."

He has set you apart from the patterns of this world so that He can use you for His extraordinary purposes.

Romans 12:1-2 urges us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. We are told not to conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

This transformation is how we discover God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Identification with Christ

The secret to sanctification isn't found in a list of rules. It is found in a person.

In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul explains that we have been united with Christ. When He died, our old, sinful nature died with Him. When He rose, we were given a brand-new life.

Sanctification happens when we "reckon" this to be true.

To reckon means to count on it. It means believing that you really are dead to sin and alive to God. When temptation comes, you don't just fight it with willpower. You remind yourself of who you are.

"I am a new creation in Christ. That old habit doesn't belong to me anymore. I am alive to God."

This shift in perspective changes everything. You aren't just trying to be a "better person." You are living out of the resurrection power that already lives inside you.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

We cannot sanctify ourselves.

If we could, we wouldn't need a Savior. The Holy Spirit is the one who produces "fruit" in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience: these aren't things we manufacture. They are things the Spirit grows in us as we stay connected to the Vine.

Our job is to stay connected.

We do this through what we call "means of grace." These are the practices that keep our hearts open to God's work.

1. The Word of God: Scripture is the primary tool the Spirit uses to shape us. As we read and meditate on Truth, our thinking is corrected.

2. Prayer: In prayer, we align our desires with God's desires.

3. Community: We grow best when we are connected to other believers.

If you're looking for a place to dive deeper into the Word with others, check out our Bible Study Club. Growth doesn't happen in a vacuum. We need each other.

A Practical Daily Walk

What does sanctification look like on a Tuesday afternoon?

It looks like choosing to speak a kind word when you feel like being sarcastic. It looks like choosing integrity when no one is watching. It looks like taking your thoughts captive when they start to spiral into worry or lust.

It is a series of small, daily "yeses" to God.

Every time you choose to obey God’s Word, you are cooperating with the Holy Spirit. You are allowing Him to carve away the parts of your character that don't look like Jesus.

It takes time.

Growth in grace is rarely a straight line. There are seasons of great progress and seasons where we feel like we’ve taken two steps back.

But God is patient. He is the Potter, and we are the clay. He doesn't give up on His masterpiece.

When You Stumble

One of the biggest obstacles to sanctification is shame.

When we fail: and we will: the enemy wants us to believe that we’ve lost our progress. He wants us to think that God is disgusted with us.

But remember: your position as a child of God is based on Jesus, not you.

When you stumble, the answer isn't to hide. The answer is to run back to the light. Confess your sin, receive God’s forgiveness, and ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to keep going.

Sanctification isn't about perfection; it’s about direction.

Are you moving toward Jesus? Is He the center of your life? If so, you are on the right path.

The Goal is Glory

Why does God care so much about our sanctification?

Because He loves us. He knows that sin is destructive. He knows that holiness is where we find our greatest joy.

But there is an even bigger reason.

The goal of sanctification is that we would reflect the glory of Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him. We are His witnesses. When people see our lives being transformed, they see the power of the Gospel in action.

One day, the process will be complete.

When we see Jesus face to face, we will be like Him. The struggle with sin will be over. The "old self" will be gone forever. Until then, we press on.

We walk by faith. We lean on the Spirit. We encourage one another.

Take the Next Step

Sanctification is a journey we take together.

If you are feeling stuck or discouraged in your walk, don't stay there. We have resources designed to help you grow. Explore our Online Programs to find tools that can support your spiritual development.

Maybe you just need someone to talk to or someone to stand with you in a difficult season. We are here for you.

How can we help you grow this week? Do you have questions about what it means to live a "set apart" life? Reach out and let us know.

We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online.

Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.