What is sanctification in the Christian life?
Sanctification is the scriptural term for the Christian life as a process of growth that follows salvation, which is an event. It is not instant maturity but covers time, as believers begin as newborn babes in Christ after the new birth, which requires recognizing one's need.
Les teaches that salvation is an event, while the Christian life is a process. He explains that sanctification is the word Scripture uses for the Christian experience, or the growth aspect, and it covers time—some believers take much longer than others. We do not suddenly become mature believers; we must begin as new babes in Christ. There has to be that new birth, and it cannot happen until we recognize a need. Jesus illustrated that well people do not need a physician, but the sick do. Likewise, a person who thinks he is good enough for heaven will never be saved, even though many people are genuinely good.