November 23 – 2 Thessalonians 2:13; “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

Hebrews 13:12; “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”

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In the Greek “sanctification” is hagiasmos.  It means the state of purification.  God, through the Holy Spirit, continues to sanctify us throughout our lives if we are willing to allow Him to refine us, but by no means are we able to do this on our own.  Today’s Mormon reference not just insinuates, but outright teaches a false gospel that the Christian is responsible for their own sanctification process.

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“Sanctification is a state of saintliness, a state attained only by conformity to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. The plan of salvation is the system and means provided whereby men may sanctify their souls and thereby become worthy of a celestial inheritance.”  Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 675.