JUST LET JESUS IN (A take-home study guide) September 13, 2026
The Use of the word “Sanctify”
Hebrew word “Qadash” meaning “hallow, dedicate, make holy, consecrate, purify” used 123 times in the Old Testament … Greek word “hagios” means “set apart, holy, purify, dedicate” used over 230 times in the New Testament
“Sanctify” is first used in the Bible in Genesis 2:3 – “And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy (qadash).” It was first spoken by Jesus in Matthew 6:9 – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed (hagiazo) be your name.” Jesus didn’t use the word “sanctify” again until his ‘High Priestly Prayer’ in John 17, the last night before His crucifixion. He had so much to say about it, however.
2. The Direction of the word “Sanctify”
Both the OT and the NT are working together to explain in part God’s activity around us and within us. In the OT, a foreshadowing of the NT, we see God blessing a day and time, priests, first born sons, altars and places … in the NT sanctifying work moves inward into our heart and soul as prophesied by David (Psalm 51) and Ezekiel (36:26-27)
3. Jesus’ Suffering, Death and Resurrection Changed Everything
Jesus promised that we would be sanctified by His truth. His death would end the need for ongoing priestly sacrifices in a holy temple. Jesus, alone, would sanctify us when we are born again, and then continue His work of sanctification throughout our life. Theologians call this Definitive Sanctificaton and Progressive Sanctification which is supported by scripture; for example, Romans 6:19,22, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1Thessalonians 5:12-23, 2 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 1 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:21, Hebrews 10:8-17, Hebrews 12:14. We are redeemed and, in one sense, already sanctified (set apart, made holy in status) the moment we trust Christ – and we’re are being sanctified (progressively transformed in practice) for the rest of our life. The New Testament calls believers “saints” (already holy) while commanding us to “pursue holiness” (not yet arrived.). To be sanctified is an ongoing struggle with sin in our life but will finally be overcome with Jesus’ return.
4. My personal testimony that God works within to woo and win us, and to save us from ourselves. Salvation begins in the soul (mind and heart), a process God continues throughout our lives. Sanctification isn’t a checklist like we are working to get rid of bad habits, so that we end up quietly proud of a few tidy virtues while ignoring the ones that actually cost something. (To the Pharisees Jesus warned, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Matthew 23:23) Sanctification is an ongoing heart change. (Ps. 51, Ez. 36 above.) The Christian life is a Spirit-driven transformation, not an attempt to self-correct.
5. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, uses the illustration of a house renovation project. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit … God’s Spirit living in us. I Corinthians 6:19.
6. On August 17, 2026 … Baptism day for Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy, husband and wife. He wrote about their new life in Christ using these words: renewing … rebuilding … rearranging … recentering … recharging … reshaping … refining … restoring … redeeming my life.
That’s our life story of biblical, progressive sanctification. God saved you to be sanctified. It all begins when we let Jesus into our life.
