What Sanctification Is

Q31. What benefits do they who are effectually called partake of in this life?
A31. They who are effectually called in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, as well as the various benefits that either accompany, or flow from them in this life.

Q34. What is sanctification?
A34. Sanctification is the work of God's Spirit, in which we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die to sin, and live to righteousness.

Sanctification differs from justification and adoption in that justification and adoption are acts of God without any participation or assistance from us. Justification and adoption only make a relative change in us, changing us from what we were into what we now are. Sanctification, on the other hand, makes a real change in us. Justification and adoption are God's declarative word and work at the initial point of salvation. Sanctification is an ongoing process that continues unto perfection in glorification at the return of the Lord or perfection in glorification through our resurrection by the Lord.