Progressive sanctification—What is it?

from the old testament

• In the Old Testament, sanctification generally refers to something or someone being set apart for God’s use. The word itself is tied to holiness, and the concept appears frequently in relation to the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the people of Israel (Exodus 19:6; Leviticus 20:7–8). Objects were sanctified by rituals, but God also called His people to be sanctified in their behavior—set apart from the world in how they lived.
• Yet from the beginning, it was clear that external sanctification was not enough. God’s people repeatedly failed to remain holy in heart and practice. Deuteronomy 5:29 captures God’s lament: “Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments.” While they were set apart outwardly, their inner life remained unchanged.
• The sacrificial system was central to maintaining Israel’s ceremonial sanctification, but even that pointed to a deeper need. Psalm 51:16–17 shows that God desired “a broken and contrite heart” more than sacrifice. The external signs were meant to lead to internal humility and transformation.
• That future hope of true inward holiness was foretold through the prophets. Jeremiah 31:33 spoke of a day when God would write His law on the hearts of His people. Ezekiel 36:26–27 expanded this by promising that God would put His Spirit within His people to cause them to walk in His ways. These promises lay the foundation for the Spirit-led sanctification described in the New Testament.

from the new testament

• The New Testament speaks of three kinds of sanctification: positional sanctification at salvation (1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:10), progressive sanctification during this life (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18), and perfective sanctification in eternity (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 John 3:2). Because of its importance in the ongoing life of a believer, this article focuses only on the progressive type of sanctification.
• Progressive sanctification is the work of the Spirit in you. Of it, Paul said, “We all … are being transformed into the same image [as Jesus] from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). That is, it is the slow process whereby the Spirit is working within you and me to make us more like Jesus.
• Elsewhere, Paul said that those slow changes in our lives show up as the fruits of the Spirit. He listed that fruit, saying, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23a).
• So, progressive sanctification is the pursuit of holiness (1 Peter 1:15) being done in cooperation with the Spirit. Paul, speaking to a group of believers, said, “as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, 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” (Philippians 2:12–13). Notice that he was telling them to pursue holiness while also saying that it was God working in them!
• Sometimes progress comes slowly, and you may still fail as Paul did (Romans 7:18–19). Yet as you draw near to Christ, sin becomes less appealing. You are no longer called to remain enslaved by sin (Romans 6:6–7), but to live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16–24), allowing your inner nature to be transformed over time.
• While this process won't make you perfect this side of glory (c.f., 1 John 3:2), it will make you progressively more like Jesus.

implications for today

Here’s what progressive sanctification means for your life:

You have been set free from sin’s power, but you're also commanded to avoid sin. That means paying attention to your heart—your thoughts, motives, and habits—and allowing His Word and Spirit to guide change.

When you stumble, you don’t need to give up or fear you have lost salvation. It is called progressive sanctification because it’s a long-term process with both ups and downs. Instead, when you sin, repent, seek forgiveness, and move forward.

Because everyone’s journey is different, don’t compare your progress with others. You should see growth because the Holy Spirit is living in you. But you might move at a different speed than others. Look at your overall life since becoming a believer, and observe how you are different now. Let that be your comparison and motivation to keep going!

Progressive salvation also means that there is a purpose for God to keep you here in this life. He is growing you. While we don't fully understand how our obedience now echoes into eternity, God takes us through this process of sanctification to make us better Christians.

Finally, there is hope in progressive sanctification because it is evidence that what God has started He will finish. Your growth is Him keeping His promise to you.

Press on!