Sanctification, as presented in the Bible, describes both a state and a process of being separated for God's purposes. It is initiated by God's calling, marking a condition of being set apart, and continues as an active, dynamic process that becomes increasingly refined over time. The basic meaning of sanctify is to set apart or separate, much like a rancher might cut an animal from a herd for a specific purpose. In a religious context, our calling by God begins this condition and process of sanctification for His purpose of salvation and the creation of His image within us. God's sovereign choice and acts of grace separate His called ones from others, as seen with the Israelites, who were distinguished from the Egyptians and other nations they encountered. This separation was not by their own works but by what God did, establishing a clear pattern of sanctification throughout biblical history. This pattern extends from individuals like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham to the nation of Israel and ultimately to Jesus Christ Himself, each called out and set apart by God for specific purposes. For the church, sanctification is not geographical but spiritual, moral, and ethical. While remaining in the world, we are called to depart from its ways, attitudes, and lifestyles, adopting God's manner and system. This spiritual separation aligns us toward the Kingdom of God, not through physical relocation but through a transformation in conduct and attitude, becoming moral and ethical in alignment with God's spirituality. Sanctification also implies cleanliness, purity, blamelessness, and sacredness, carrying the sense of holiness and devotion to God. As living stones, we are being built up by God and His Son Jesus Christ into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for God, individually and collectively as the church. This process involves being shaped and fitted according to an intelligent plan, set apart from others for a specific purpose. Those set apart by God are called to be holy as He is holy, not merely separated but also clean in life and conduct. This holiness extends to offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, reflecting our role as a royal priesthood. Our responsibility as priests is to draw near to God, serving at His altar, which symbolically represents His dwelling place within us and the church. God has set us apart to be His witnesses, demonstrating through our lives that our God is the Creator. By keeping His commandments, statutes, and judgments, we fulfill this witness and allow God to shape us spiritually for the roles He has prepared. This dual process of witnessing and being created underscores our privilege and obligation as a chosen, holy possession of God, bearing a priestly character in relation to Him and the world.

Sanctification is a life-long process of acquiring spiritual maturity, distinct from salvation. It is a progressive, incremental journey that spans from our calling to our death, requiring our active participation as junior partners with God in producing godly character and righteousness. God has gifted us with free will, meaning He cannot create character in us by fiat; character comes only through choice. This responsibility to make choices, which falls under the category of work and volition, is ours as we decide to establish or reject a relationship with Him. Producing spiritual fruit depends on cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ, a responsibility that rests on us since He has already loved us and sacrificed His life for us. God demands a 100% commitment from us, though it must be our choice, as our efforts in sanctification, while pitifully insignificant compared to His limitless resources, indicate whether we truly desire to reciprocate His love. Our contribution in this process is meager when compared to what God does, yet it remains vital. Sanctification is not instantaneous at the moment of our calling; it is a continuous, ongoing process, as implied by the scriptural phrase "being sanctified." We have the liberty to terminate this process if it is our will, underscoring the importance of our volitional efforts in yielding to God's shaping of His will within us.

Sanctification is a vital process in the Christian walk toward the Kingdom of God. It encompasses three key aspects: consecration, separation, and purification. Consecration is the act by which God declares something or someone holy, setting them apart for His purpose. Separation follows as a condition where what is consecrated is distinguished from the common or profane, marked for divine use. Purification, unlike the first two, is a process that unfolds over time, especially in human beings, due to free will and the inherent sinful nature. While God can cover us with righteousness through Christ, true purification requires a gradual transformation as we make moral choices and strive to align with His will. This process of sanctification is not merely a static state but a dynamic journey of growth and improvement. It involves recognizing sin, overcoming it, resisting temptation, and producing righteousness through good deeds, truthful speech, and exemplary conduct. Sanctification is a constant endeavor, not confined to a single period but extending throughout the entirety of a believer's life. God calls His people to be actively involved in their sanctification, as seen in the example of the Israelites who had to walk out of Egypt despite God performing great acts of grace on their behalf. Similarly, believers must engage in spiritual work, responding to God's grace with obedience, service, and a reverent fear of Him. This involves pursuing holiness with zeal and determination, understanding that without this earnest effort, one risks falling short of God's grace and failing to see Him. The apostles emphasized this active pursuit of sanctification, urging believers to abound in their walk and please God through a life of holiness. Sanctification is not an optional addition but a necessary continuation of salvation, a process of living in holiness, love, and faith. God provides the Holy Spirit to aid in this journey, actively working to sanctify believers completely, though the full transformation may not be realized in this life. The ultimate goal remains clear: to become holy as He is holy, fulfilling the divine call to be blameless before Him. Thus, sanctification is both a gift and a responsibility. It begins with God's act of setting apart and extends through a lifelong commitment to purification and righteousness. As sons and daughters of God, the call is to doggedly pursue holiness, striving to please Him and to complete this sanctification with a deep reverence for His will.

Salvation involves a transformative process, with sanctification as a crucial ongoing step. This stage, where we are being saved, entails becoming set apart by learning to live as God lives through obedience to His laws. As the living document God is writing in partnership with us, we must conform to the rules He established to be prepared and completed. This work does not save us, for we are saved by God's grace, but its purpose is to change us so that our lives reflect Jesus Christ, a challenging endeavor for those called out of a world opposed to God.

The biblical concept of holy means to be set apart for God's purpose, namely, to reflect His character and righteousness. Mentioned nearly 900 times in Scripture, holiness consists of not merely moral behavior, but a complete spiritual transformation through God's Holy Spirit, as exemplified by keeping His seventh day Sabbath, sanctified as a sign of God's covenant with His called-out people (Ezekiel 20:12). We need to emulate examples like Moses, Joshua, and Abraham, who was chosen, set apart, and faithful, becoming a "friend of God" (James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8). Ancient Israel, similarly chosen as a holy nation to represent God (Deuteronomy 14:2, Exodus 19:15),sadly failed miserably to internalize this covenant. Today, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16), God's church, is called to be a chosen generation and holy nation and to live righteously, reflecting God's love and character. Sanctification is a lifelong process requiring obedience, faith, and readiness for spiritual challenges (I Peter 1:13-15). Thankfully, Christ's life and death enabled this level of holiness. We must continue to grow in godly virtues, remaining steadfast.