Sanctification
If you’ve been in church for a while, you’ve probably heard the word sanctification. It’s one of those words that carries a deep and profound meaning, shaping the Christian life. But what does it really mean to be sanctified?
To sanctify something, or make it holy, is to set it apart. It’s set apart from certain things and set apart for something else. Scripture presents sanctification as both a specific event and an ongoing process.
When we put our faith in Jesus, we are set apart to God—a one-time event that marks the beginning of our journey. But sanctification doesn’t stop there. It’s an ongoing process of being more and more set apart for Him alone, growing in holiness as we walk with the Lord.
Theologians often use two terms to describe the work of sanctification: mortification and vivification.
Mortification: This means to put to death certain ways of thinking and living. It’s the process of identifying sin in our lives (the weeds) and acknowledging God’s judgment on it. Mortification requires us to turn away from these harmful patterns and choose obedience to God.
Vivification: This is the opposite side of the coin—bringing to life the ways of thinking and living that reflect God’s will. It’s the empowering work of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live righteous and godly lives. Vivification breathes life into our spiritual and moral character, helping us grow into Christlikeness (the flowers).
When we consistently tend to the flowers through the Holy Spirit’s power, they will flourish, showing God’s transforming work in us.
Sanctification is deeply personal. It’s a process unique to each believer, yet rooted in the same goal: to glorify God with our lives. So let’s reflect:
In what ways are you currently being sanctified?
What things in your life is God calling you to put to death?
How can you better glorify the Lord in your daily life?
Perhaps the most important question is: Have you taken the first step by giving your life to the Lord?
Sanctification also invites us to examine the influences in our lives:
Are the people around you encouraging weeds or flowers to grow?
Are they pointing you toward sanctification and helping you pursue a life set apart for God?
And what about your own heart?
Is it open for the Lord to work, or have you become numb to the beauty of sanctification?
Are you pursuing the wrong things, searching for satisfaction where there is none?
Do you recognize the weeds but turn a blind eye?
Lastly, are you taking time to celebrate the flowers—to worship the Creator for His work in your life?
Sanctification is a beautiful tension. It’s the fleeing of sin and the pursuing of righteousness. It’s recognizing what needs to die and what needs to grow. While the process may feel complex, at its core, it is simple: it’s about allowing God to transform us more and more into the image of His Son.
But we cannot do this alone. Sanctification requires us to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s His work in us that empowers us to flee sin, to nurture holiness, and to bloom into who God has called us to be.
“Lord, teach us to live lives that consistently glorify You. Reveal to us the weeds in our lives that we need to remove, and help us nurture the flowers You desire to grow in us. Teach us the beauty of fleeing sin and pursuing righteousness. Open our eyes to the complexity and yet the simplicity of mortification and vivification. Let our hearts be open to Your refining work, and may we celebrate Your faithfulness as You transform us day by day. Amen.”
Sanctification is not about perfection; it’s about progress—a lifelong journey of growth and surrender. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or you’ve walked it for years, the Lord invites you into the process. He is gentle and faithful, ready to help you put to death the things that keep you from Him and to breathe life into the flowers He wants to grow in your soul.
Let us flee the weeds, nurture the flowers, and worship the Creator who tends the garden of our hearts. For in Him, we find the beauty of sanctification—a life truly set apart for His glory.
