Sanctification

Sanctification you may have possibly heard of this. It is a very large word that is not commonly used in todays churches though.
The root word is sanctify Dictionary.com states the definition as follows.
sanc·ti·fy

1.	to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.

2.	to purify or free from sin: Sanctify your hearts.

3.	to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding: to sanctify a vow.

4.	to entitle to reverence or respect.

5.	to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

There are three Biblical stages of Sanctification. Positional Sanctification, Progressive Sanctification, and Perfect Sanctification.

Positional Sanctification
This is the act of God eternally and wholly saving you from the penalty of sin and you therefore belong to the Family of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:10-14

This passage states to us that once we are Sanctified to Christ Jesus we are always apart of his family. Jesus only had to die one time. When Jesus died he died for all your sins past, present, and future.

Progressive Sanctification
This is the continual daily walk of a believer of Jesus Christ saved by grace. Continuing in prayer and study of the Word of God on a day by day basis. As this believer continues in these practices they continually grow closer to Jesus and become more holy and right unto God. Only when a person has received Positional Sanctification can they have Progressive Sanctification.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18
Not only will you grow you will want to grow the more mature you become. You will want to study and you will want to help others grow and learn. You will become more vigilant in your witness and you will tell more people of your Savior. More people will ask about you because they will notice a difference in you. You will still be a sinner in this world and you will be capable of sin. We will never be free of sin as long as we live in this fallen world.

Perfect Sanctification
This is also known as Glorification. This will happen once we leave this world. We will be purified from every trace of sin and the capability of doing sin. We will no longer have sinful desires, and we will be perfect in all way living with Jesus Christ our Savior.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:20-21


Praise the Lord for his wonderful Sanctification that will save us from all trace of sin.