For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Titus 2:11-12

Sometimes there is confusion over the doctrine of sanctification. Some folks have went into the ditches on this doctrine.

There are usually ditches on both sides of Biblical truth.

I believe there are three types of sanctification mentioned in the Word of God.

Positional sanctification, Progressive  sanctification, and Final sanctification.

Jesus Christ came into to the world to save us from our sins.

He came to save us from the penalty of sin, the power of sin and one day the presence of sin.

1. Hebrews 10:10 says “…we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Those who are saved are “positionally” holy before God because they have been justified. That is positional sanctification.

2. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Those who are saved are to conformed to the image of Christ. That is progressive sanctification.

We are a work in progress.

The Christian is not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds.

3. Romans 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

Those who are saved are to be glorified.

One day He is going to “change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body…”

That is final sanctification.

In this word “sanctification” there are three great truths.

And as far as our God is concerned they are all as good as completed, and have been before the foundation of the world.

Our justification is unchangeable. {once justified, always justified}

And His work in us is continuous

And our glorification is inevitable. “whom he justified, them He also glorified.” 

But while we live the Christian life, our walk, in this body, in this world…our sanctification is practical and progressive.

“Justification is perfect the moment it is received, but sanctification is a matter of growth… To make us holy is a life-work, and for it we should seek the divine operation every hour” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon