What does it mean to be sanctified? Sanctification is one of those big words mostly used in Christian circles. What exactly does it mean? Is it something we are given? Something we have to do? Do we obtain it when we receive salvation or is it a process? This is a discussion that I have heard recently with conflicting answers so I thought I would look into it. In the old testament, it is used to mean “to make holy or set apart.” It usually was something God decided to do for His people, an individual or His temple. It was something He declared. So what does it mean for believers?
I looked up the Greek term using e-sword (www.e-sword.net) to learn what the Greek terms are and what they mean. From what I gathered, there are a couple different words and different uses (I found a few in particular: hagaismos, hagios, and hagiazo). I am no scholar or anything near to that, but they seem to be derivatives of the same word. They basically mean “sanctification, consecration, purification.” To purify, make holy, set apart (for God’s glory or to do His work). It is the process of making or becoming holy. Clear as mud, right? Let’s look at the New Testament scriptures to see how the word is used. Continue reading “Be Sanctified”