I have said in the past that Believers are works in progress.  It is the sanctifying work that is taking place from the moment we receive Jesus, our Savior.  Let us see what Scripture reveals to us concerning sanctification;  growing in holiness.
 
In “Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” the word in Greek is HAGIASMOS and Vine’s goes on to say,
“Sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter by faith in Christ”: 
 
The Lord speaking to Paul in Acts 26:17-18,
“I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the powers of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”
 
“…But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”  
1 Corinthians 6:11”
 
Sanctification is also used in the New Testament of the separation of the believer from evil things and ways.  This sanctification is God’s will for the believer,
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that  you should abstain from sexual immorality.”  1 Thessalonians 4:3
And Vs. 7
“For God did not call us to uncleanness, but  in holiness”
 
Sanctification “must be learned from God and He teaches by His Word”:
In Jesus prayer to His Father in John 17,
“Sanctify (set apart) them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.”  Vs. 17
And Vs. 19,
“And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”  (Margin note)
 
“How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.”  Psalm 119:9
 
Sanctification/holiness, must be pursued by the believer, earnestly, and undeviatingly:  
“Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14
 
“But He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”  1 Peter 1:15-16 
 
Paul speaking to the Romans,
“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of our flesh.  For just as  you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”  Romans 6:19
 
Sanctification is through the Holy Spirit.  
It is God the Father that reveals this to us in 1 Peter 1:1-2,
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ…”
 
Sanctification is produced--
By God:
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  
1 Thessalonians 5:23
 
By Christ:
“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”  Hebrews 2:11
 
By the Holy Spirit: 
See 1 Peter 1:1-2 above.
 
By truth:
See John 17:17
 
So we,
“Take up…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 
Ephesians 6:17
For,
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
 
Therefore, I encourage each of us to study God’s word.  There are so many venues that temp to distract and pull our attention to worldly things that we need to heed what God is saying here in 2 Timothy.  To start the day in the Scriptures is to set our focus a right. 
 
Thank you Lord God for Your work in our lives to make us holy and complete.  Help us to seek Your hand of love in all that comes our way.  So we say “Thy will be done!”  Amen