Progressive sanctification refers to the ongoing process of becoming more Christlike after conversion. It is the process by which genuine believers grow in holiness over the course of their lives through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible teaches that when someone places their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, they are justified before God – their sins are forgiven and they are declared righteous in God’s sight (Romans 3:21-26). However, sanctification does not end there. Conversion is just the beginning of the sanctification process. Believers are called to increasingly grow in holiness as they live out their faith.
The doctrine of progressive sanctification is rooted in several key biblical truths:
1. God’s Expectation for Holiness
Throughout Scripture, God makes it clear that He expects His people to live holy lives. Passages like 1 Peter 1:15-16 tell us to “be holy, for I am holy.” We are called to imitate God’s holy character. Our outward behavior should align with our new spiritual identity in Christ (Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10).
Living holy means putting off sin and putting on righteousness in every area of life. From our thoughts, to our speech, to our conduct – God wants us to grow in Christlike character after our conversion. Progressive sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus.
2. The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments provide a basic framework for how to live a holy life. While we are not saved by obeying the law, the moral standards in the Ten Commandments are still useful to reveal God’s holy expectations for His people (Exodus 20:1-17). The more we grow in Christ, the more we will live out the righteous principles in the Ten Commandments as the Spirit empowers us.
3. The Sermon on the Mount
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes the Old Testament law to the next level by addressing not just outward behavior, but also the condition of the heart and motives (Matthew 5-7). For example, it’s not enough to just abstain from murder – we must address anger in the heart. This moves sanctification beyond surface-level change to wholehearted transformation.
As we grow in Christ, the Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for what increasing maturity looks like. The “beatitudes” at the beginning of the sermon describe the character qualities of someone who is progressing in godliness.
4. Putting Off/Putting On
Paul gives practical instruction for pursuing sanctification in passages like Ephesians 4-6 and Colossians 3-4. He tells us the specific sins we must “put off” or repent from, such as sexual immorality, anger, and greed. In their place, we must “put on” godly virtues like compassion, patience, and kindness. This understanding helps frame sanctification as a process of replacing vice with virtue.
5. The Fruit of the Spirit
In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul contrasts the “works of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit.” As believers walk by the Spirit, qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control will increasingly grow in their lives. This is another practical model for understanding spiritual growth. Christians can evaluate areas where they need more fruit of the Spirit to develop.
6. Being Transformed into Christ’s Image
Multiple New Testament passages speak of growing in godliness as the process of being transformed into the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit’s work (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:2-3). As we behold Christ in the Word, the Spirit changes us to become more like Him. The end goal of sanctification is Christlikeness.
7. Living as a New Self/New Creation
Because of Christ’s redemptive work, believers have been given a new nature and identity as children of God. Passages like Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, and Colossians 3:10 speak of living out this “new self” and no longer being enslaved to sin. Our practice should match our new position before God. Sanctification is living according to who we are in Christ.
8. Running the Race
The Christian life is sometimes described as a race we must run with endurance and discipline (Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 3:12-14). Finishing well requires TRAINING OVER TIME. Sanctification is not instantaneous – it requires persevering effort empowered by grace to reach the finish line. We must engage in the Means of Grace (prayer, Word, fellowship, etc) in order to run well.
9. Pressing on Toward Perfection
While complete perfection will not be achieved in this life, passages like Philippians 3:12 speak of “pressing on” toward full Christlike maturity. Sanctification is a lifelong process of striving to grow in godliness until we are glorified with Christ. We should not become complacent at any stage in the Christian life but keep seeking to become more like Jesus.
10. Being Steadfast and Immovable
1 Corinthians 15:58 commands believers to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Sanctification requires persevering even when we face adversity, temptation, or wandering from God. Being steadfast means continuing to pursue holiness through all of life’s ups and downs. Immovable means not compromising godly convictions even under pressure.
11. God Disciplines Those He Loves
The trials and hardships believers face are sometimes part of God’s loving discipline to produce holiness (Hebrews 12:5-11, James 1:2-4). While not necessarily related to specific sins, difficult seasons remind us to cling to Christ and grow in godliness. They expose areas that still need refinement. Sanctification requires embracing God’s refining process in our lives.
12. Suffering Produces Perseverance
Passages like Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4 speak of how trials develop godly perseverance and character in believers. Remaining faithful through hardship keeps us dependent on God. Sanctification advances through life’s difficulties as we choose to trust God and draw upon His strength. Suffering purifies our faith and commitment.
13. Examining Yourself
2 Corinthians 13:5 says to examine yourselves to see if you are “in the faith.” One way we grow in Christ is through serious self-reflection, assessing areas of spiritual strength and weakness. This can lead to repentance and renewed zeal to pursue holiness. Taking personal spiritual inventory is key for progressive sanctification.
14. Adding the Christian Virtues
2 Peter 1:5-8 speaks of making every effort to add virtues like goodness, knowledge, self-control, and love. Actively striving to build these qualities through spiritual disciplines will lead to effectiveness and fruitfulness in the Christian life, preventing spiritual stagnation. We grow by intentionally “adding” Christlike virtues.
15. Warning Against Falling Away
Several passages warn professing believers about falling away from the faith through disobedience or unbelief (Hebrews 6:4-8, 10:26-31). While genuine Christians have eternal security, these warnings exhort us to persevere in holiness and not drift from fellowship with Christ. They motivate us to continue growing spiritually.
16. The Holy Spirit’s Transforming Power
Sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit. When we received Christ the Spirit began indwelling us, and He continues transforming us into Christ’s image as we yield to Him (Romans 8:9-11, 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit empowers us to kill sin and produces His fruit in us as we submit to His leading.
17. God Works in You
Philippians 2:12-13 summarizes the dual aspects of sanctification well: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We have a role to play in pursuing holiness, but ultimately God enables our progress through the Spirit.
18. Our Struggle Against Sin
Passages like Romans 7 and Galatians 5:16-17 speak of the ongoing internal battle between our new nature in Christ and the pull of our flesh toward sin. Being freed from sin’s power does not mean being freed from sin’s presence until glory. We must actively fight against temptation, which itself strengthens our faith.
19. Our Identity in Christ
Understanding our new identity and position in Christ enables sanctification. Passages like Ephesians 1-3 motivate us to live righteous lives worthy of our calling in Christ. Remembering our new status as dearly loved adopted children of God fuels our pursuit of holiness when we are tempted to sin.
20. Union with Christ
Being “in Christ” means we are united to Him spiritually. His resurrection life and power flow to us positionally and practically, fueling our transformation into His image. This profound theological concept undergirds the process of becoming more like Jesus. Our union with Christ enables our sanctification.
21. Living as Citizens of Heaven
Because believers are seated in the heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), we are to consider ourselves citizens of heaven living temporarily on earth (Philippians 3:20). This eternal perspective motivates turning from earthly desires and living according to heavenly values. Our home in heaven transforms us.
22. Sanctification is God’s Will
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 teaches plainly that sanctification is God’s will for all believers. Verse 7 says God has not called us for impurity but in holiness. God desires us to progressively grow in maturity and reflect His holy character more and more. This is His purpose for calling us to salvation.
23. By Their Fruit You Will Know Them
While good works do not earn salvation, Jesus taught that you will recognize true vs false believers by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-23). The ongoing pattern of someone’s life gives evidence of salvation or lack thereof. Progressively bearing more spiritual fruit testifies that one belongs to Christ.
24. Faith Without Works is Dead
James 2:14-26 warns that faith without works is dead and cannot save. While works cannot earn salvation, they still have an important role in validating the authenticity of someone’s faith and whether it is maturing genuine faith or dead faith. Progress in godliness proves living faith.
25. Effective and Ineffective Believers
2 Peter 1:8 speaks of the possibility of being ineffective or unfruitful if we are not diligently growing in godliness. Sanctification affects our Christian influence. Producing the fruit of the Spirit makes us spiritually productive for God’s kingdom. Lack of growth stunts our fruitfulness.
26. Not Remaining as Babes
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 and Hebrews 5:11-6:3 warn believers about remaining in spiritual infancy. We are called to mature beyond the elementary basics of faith. Actively pursuing sanctification leads to being a “spiritual adult” versus remaining a “babe in Christ.” Growth is expected.
27. Renewing Our Minds
An important aspect of becoming Christlike is renewing our minds through God’s Word (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23). As we saturate our thinking in Scripture, the Spirit renews our minds and transforms our thoughts, attitudes, and conduct.Biblical thinking fuels sanctification.
28. Christians Still Struggle with Sin
1 John 1:8 says Christians will continue to struggle with sin while on earth. Becoming perfectly sinless is not possible. But the tone of 1 John is that willful unrepentant sin patterns are incompatible with genuine faith. Battling sin through repentance is normal even for mature believers.
29. Purify Yourselves Just as He is Pure
1 John 3:2-3 commands believers to purify themselves just as Christ is pure. Given Christ’s sinless moral perfection, this sets the bar extremely high for sanctification. Becoming just like Jesus in purity and virtue is the ultimate aim. We must never stop striving for full purity.
30. Without Holiness No One Will See the Lord
Hebrews 12:14 warns that without holiness no one will see the Lord. While salvation is by grace, perseverance in holiness is still necessary to prove genuine saving faith and prepare us to meet Christ. Holiness is required to enter God’s presence one day. We must pursue sanctification.
In summary, progressive sanctification refers to the Spirit-empowered, lifelong process of increasingly growing in Christlike maturity after conversion. Multiple passages of Scripture make it clear this is God’s will for believers and evidence of genuine saving faith. Through trust and obedience, we put off sin and put on righteousness to become more like Jesus in every area of life. This happens through God’s grace as we engage the means He has given us for spiritual growth. The end goal is being perfectly glorified in holiness when we reach heaven. But until then, we must diligently press on in sanctification.