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Sanctification: God’s Ongoing Work of Making Us Like Christ
Contending for the Word Q&A with Dave JenkinsWhen a person trusts in Christ, God immediately forgives their sin, declares them righteous, and reconciles them to Himself. But salvation does not end there. The Lord also begins His lifelong work of sanctification, steadily making His people more holy and more like Christ.In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what sanctification is, how it differs from justification, and why believers are called to pursue holiness through obedience, repentance, and dependence on the Lord.Listen or Watch
What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification is the ongoing work of God by which believers grow in holiness and are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Justification is God’s once-for-all declaration that the sinner is righteous in Christ. Sanctification is the continuing work of transformation that follows throughout the Christian life.This growth is neither passive nor self-powered. God works in His people by His Spirit, and believers respond in obedience, repentance, and dependence on Him. The result is not sinless perfection in this life, but real progress: a growing love for God, His Word, and His ways, along with a deepening hatred of sin.God’s goal is not mere self-improvement. He is shaping His people into the likeness of His Son. Though this work often involves struggle and takes a lifetime, the Lord is faithful to complete what He has begun.Scripture References
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3
- Romans 8:29
- Philippians 1:6
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
