Hebrews 10:10 (KJV)
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
One of the most common misconceptions in Christianity is the idea that sanctification is a process we must continually work through. People think it's a journey that somehow depends on our efforts to become more holy over time. Although this makes sense, it is not biblical or scriptural.
Sanctification isn’t a journey, it's a completed gift sent directly from Heaven through Jesus.
Sanctification is not a process. It’s something that has already been accomplished by Jesus on the cross. In Hebrews 10:10, we are told that we "are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." The word "sanctified" comes from the Greek word ἁγιάζω (hagiazó), which is in the perfect tense in this context. This means that the action has been completed in the past with ongoing effects. In other words, your sanctification isn’t something that’s happening slowly over time—it’s already finished because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
When Jesus died for our sins, He didn’t just offer us forgiveness. He also made us holy, set apart for God. This is the meaning of true sanctification. But sadly, most people believe their analytical brains, their own wisdom, and perspectives. It makes sense that we are in a "process" since we haven't kicked some of our old ways. But that is why it takes faith to believe that we are already sanctified.
Sadly many believe God in the realm and limitations of their thoughts. They live like this: "If it makes sense to me, then yes, I accept, but if it doesn't, I won't accept". They do not even recognize that they are standing in the position of the almighty Judge.
Our sanctification was secured the moment we placed our faith in Him. This is the beauty of the gospel: it’s not about what we can do, but about what he can do and has already done.
The idea that we are somehow responsible for “becoming more sanctified” leads to unnecessary guilt, striving, and self-doubt. This is the work of the devil because we know that comdemnation and guilt do not come from God. He has set us free and set us apart from the world. But Satan wants us to fall back into our thoughts and condemnation. He wants us to think that if we aren’t growing fast enough or living perfectly, we’re falling short in God’s eyes. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Sanctification is not a ladder to climb or a finish line we’re working toward—it’s already been achieved through Jesus.
We don’t achieve holiness, we receive holiness.
God sees us as holy, not because of our works, but because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Our salvation and sanctification are both gifts from God, received through faith.
One of the greatest barriers to fully embracing this truth is our own mind. We often think, “I don’t feel sanctified” or “I don’t act holy enough.” But here’s where we need to learn to distrust our own thoughts. Just because we don’t feel holy doesn’t mean we aren’t. Sanctification isn’t based on our feelings or behaviors; it’s based on the truth of God’s Word and the finished work of Jesus.
The enemy loves to sow seeds of doubt in our minds, making us question whether we’re really sanctified, really holy, or really saved. But God is inviting us to stop trusting in our own thoughts and start trusting in the truth of what he has done for us.
You already are holy in God’s eyes because of Jesus. The key is learning to rest in that truth, to stop trying to earn what has already been given to you. You already are holy in God’s eyes because of Jesus. The key is learning to rest in that truth, to stop trying to earn what has already been given to you.
Amen!
