SANCTIFY ME LORD

Sanctification is a divine work of God in the life of every believer. It moves a soul from all that is 'secular' ... to that which is 'sacred'. It's made possible by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit.

... be a vessel for honor, sanctified and suitable for the master’s use; prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21

You are placed 'in Christ' at the moment of your salvation; it is then that transformation into His likeness ensues. 'Sanctification' is the process by which the One in Whom we live (and Who lives in us) progressively becomes more evident in our daily conduct. 

I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

Note that there are three stages of Biblical salvation ...

1. Justification - the 'one-time' proclamation whereby God declares a sinner to be 'righteous' because of his faith in Christ.

2. Sanctification - the 'ongoing' process by which a Christian is separated from the rest of the world in order to fulfill God's purpose.

3. Glorification - the true believer is ushered into the Lord's presence and experiences perfect communion with Him throughout eternity.

If you are not a 'born again' Christian, you may be trying to establish these steps by your own merit ... in your own strength. But, vain attempts to feel righteous before God, be 'good' in your life, and leave a lasting legacy after you die ... will inevitably fail. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Barclay - It is the Holy Spirit Who awakens within us the first faint longings for God and His goodness. It is the Holy Spirit Who convicts us of our sin and leads us to the Cross where that sin is forgiven. It is the Holy Spirit Who enables us to be freed from the sins which have us in their grip and to gain the virtues which are the fruit of the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit Who assures us that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus Christ is Lord. The beginning, the middle, and the end of the Christian life are the work of the Holy Spirit.

In order for the transformative power of 'sanctification' to take hold, you must first acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord ... 

If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

This is Christianity.