September 13, 2026
Week 7: Sanctification
Scriptures
Notes
What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification — A moral or re-creative work, changing the inner nature of man.
Why We Need Sanctification
By one man sin entered into the world.
Mankind was created in the image of God, meaning people were originally intended to reflect God’s holiness, love, and moral character.
Created in God’s image — Genesis 1:26–27
The Fall — Genesis 3
The image was marred by sin, resulting in spiritual death, brokenness, and separation from God.
Sanctification is the means by which God restores His image in believers, transforming them back into the likeness of Christ, who perfectly reflects the image of God.
The Image of God
Ability to reflect His character, holiness, righteousness, and rule as He intended.
Represent God.
Resemble God.
Changed Into His Image
2 Corinthians 3:14–18
As we behold Him, He makes us more like Him.
Ephesians 4:22–24
Put off the old sinful nature.
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Put on the new nature—the regenerated nature.
The new nature is created to be like God in righteousness and holiness.
Sanctification restores the believer to what humanity was originally meant to be—holy and in fellowship with God.
Two False Teachings That Are Anti-Sanctification
1) Antinomianism
Antinomianism — means “against law.”
Teaches that the forgiveness found in Christ makes it legitimate for a Christian to do things which the Bible forbids.
In other words, one can choose to live as they please. The more one sins, the more chance there is for divine grace to work.
Romans 6:1–2
Paul responds to the idea of continuing in sin so that grace may increase.
Grace leads you to the process of growing in holiness and obedience to God.
Galatians 5:13
Freedom is not to be used to satisfy the sinful nature.
2) The Perfectionist View
The perfectionist view teaches that a person can become perfectly free from sin in this life. This is called sinless perfection.
No one except Jesus ever claimed to be without sin.
1 John 1:8
Simply, Sanctification Is
The process of making one holy. The inward renewal.
Sanctification Is Not:
Mere external behavior.
A list of traditional do’s and don’ts of the Christian life.
It has to do with the heart, and from the heart outward, behavior will change.
It’s the transformation of your character.
The Three Tenses of Sanctification
Past
Present
Future
Past — Set Apart
Positional Sanctification
This is initial sanctification, also called positional sanctification.
It occurs at the moment of conversion.
When a person comes to faith in Christ:
They are declared holy.
They are set apart by God.
Through Christ’s atonement and by grace through faith, the believer is positionally holy before God.
Scripture References
1 Corinthians 6:9–11
Hebrews 10:10
Ephesians 2:10
Set Apart for God’s Use
When I gave my life to Christ, I was set apart for Him to use me.
He didn’t just save you to go to heaven.
He set you apart to use you!
Scripture References
Psalm 139:13–16
1 Corinthians 1:2