Sanctification is the process of making holy, and is done by the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:15-16 tells us to be holy as God is holy. It is derived from the Greek word Hagios and is an ongoing process. To be sanctified means to be set apart unto God for His purpose.
We must allow the Holy Spirit, Who is the agent of sanctification and Who makes us into the image of Christ daily, to transform us and make us like Christ in holiness (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
Sanctification is the process between justification (at salvation) and glorification (in eternity). As believers, we are righteous in Christ because of the finished work of the cross. Righteousness is our position and a gift given us but holiness is the nature of God and is a fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives which will cause us to manifest the nature of God.
Galatians 4:19 describes Paul being in pain like that of child birth until Christ is formed in us. As Christ’s followers, this should be our hearts’ desire & we must seek to be like Christ so as to reflect Him.
We live a holy life by: