'Christ who sanctifies us' -Part 1- Hebrews ch
When Christians are asked, “Who is Jesus Christ?” we usually answer, “He is our Savior and Redeemer, the Son of God who died for our sins.” But how often have we answered, “Jesus Christ is the One who sanctifies us”?
And how often do we think of ourselves as people who are being sanctified by Christ? We readily say, “I am a forgiven sinner,” “My sins have been forgiven,”
But we rarely think of ourselves as Hebrews 2:11 describes us—as people whom Christ is making holy.
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-------- In verse 11, however, Christ is called the One who sanctifies, and His people are described as “those who are sanctified.”
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Why must the Captain of salvation also be the Sanctifier? And why are true believers described not merely as forgiven people but as “those who are sanctified”?
These questions are especially important because many Christians have reduced salvation almost entirely to the forgiveness of sins and the hope of going to heaven. Forgiveness is essential, but Hebrews teaches that the Christ who pardons His people also cleanses and renews them by His Spirit.
We should take these questions seriously because many professing Christians think of salvation only as the forgiveness of sins. They assume that because they claim to be forgiven, they are ready for heaven, while giving little attention to the sanctifying work of Christ in their hearts and lives. Yet Scripture never separates these saving benefits. The Christ who forgives His people also sanctifies them, and “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14, NIV).
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Peter Kim
Pastor Committed to the Recovery of Puritan Theology and Spirituality
July 28 2026