What is Sanctification?

Sanctification… is not a religious word for “trying harder.”

It’s not about rule-keeping, or looking spiritual on the outside.

It’s about something far deeper…

a complete reorientation of our life… around a new Kingdom.

When we are saved—

when we receive Christ by faith—

we’re not just forgiven…

we are transferred.

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness…

and transferred us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13)

That’s not just a future reality.

It’s present tense.

New allegiance.

New citizenship.

New identity.

And now…

we must learn to live as citizens of that Kingdom.

That’s sanctification.

It’s not instant perfection.

It’s the Spirit-led process of becoming what we already are—

holy, set apart, belonging to God.

Imagine moving to a new country.

Different language.

Different culture.

Different laws.

You’d have to learn how things work.

You’d have to leave old habits behind.

You’d have to adapt to a new way of life.

That’s what sanctification is:

learning the customs of Heaven… while still walking on earth.

Jesus didn’t say,

“Add me to your life.”

He said:

“Seek first the Kingdom of God… and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)

Not second.

Not on weekends.

Not when it’s convenient.

First.

Above career.

Above comfort.

Above reputation.

Above self.

To seek first the Kingdom is to live with eyes lifted—

to measure everything in light of eternity—

to be all in.

That’s the moment sanctification takes root:

when we realize Jesus is not just our Savior…

He is our King.

And the only response worthy of a King…

is total surrender.

Jesus told a story.

He said the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man

who found treasure hidden in a field.

And in his joy—

he went and sold everything he had…

and bought that field. (Matthew 13:44)

Why?

Because once you see the treasure…

you gladly let go of everything else.

That’s what sanctification looks like:

joyfully giving up the old…

to walk in the new.

And we don’t walk alone.

We walk in the power of the Spirit.

God never calls us to holiness without giving us the help.

“It is God who works in you…

both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

The Holy Spirit convicts.

He empowers.

He teaches.

He leads us into truth.

But make no mistake:

this walk requires effort.

Not to earn God’s love—

but because we have it.

Paul writes:

“Put off the old self…

and put on the new.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

That means turning from sin.

Resisting the pull of the flesh.

Renewing the mind in Scripture.

Walking in obedience.

It’s a battle—

but it’s a good battle.

Because the more we walk in the ways of the Kingdom…

the more we become like the King.

We start to love what He loves.

We start to hate what He hates.

We learn His voice.

We walk in peace.

And the fruit shows up.

“The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,

but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

That’s sanctification in action.

Righteousness—because we’ve been made holy.

Peace—because we’re right with God.

Joy—because we’re walking with Him.

And one day…

this journey will end in glory.

Sanctification will give way to glorification.

We’ll see Jesus—face to face.

And in that moment—

the work will be complete.

“We know that when He appears…

we shall be like Him,

for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Until then…

we press on.

With our eyes fixed on the Kingdom.

Our hearts submitted to the King.

Our lives shaped by His Word.

Our steps guided by His Spirit.

Because we are not of this world.

We belong to another country.

And every day…

through the process of sanctification…

we learn how to live like it.