In Leviticus 20:8, God reveals Himself with a powerful name: Jehovah-M’Kaddesh (Hebrew: YHWH-Mekoddishkem), meaning “The LORD who sanctifies you.”
This name reveals an essential part of God’s nature and His relationship with His people — He is not only our Creator and Provider but also the One who makes us holy bit by bit with a process known as sanctification.
“Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” — Leviticus 20:8 (NIV)
What Does “Sanctify” Mean?
To sanctify means to set apart, to make holy, or to purify. When God calls Himself Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, He is saying that He is the one who purifies us, sets us apart from the world, and dedicates us for His purposes. Holiness isn’t something we achieve on our own — it’s something God accomplishes in us.
God’s Role in Making You Holy
The name Jehovah-M’Kaddesh shows that God is actively involved in our transformation. Through His Spirit, He:
- Cleanses us from sin
- Sets us apart from the world
- Calls us into a deeper, consecrated relationship with Him
Sanctification is not a one-time event but a lifelong process. God continually shapes us to reflect His character more and more.
Set Apart for a Purpose
When God sanctifies us, He doesn’t just cleanse us — He claims us as His own. He sets us apart for a divine purpose. In a world full of compromise, God calls us to live differently — not in isolation, but in devotion.
As Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, God invites us to be vessels of His love, truth, and holiness — a light in the darkness.
Walking in Holiness
Our response to Jehovah-M’Kaddesh is simple yet profound:
- Obedience to His Word
- Trust in His sanctifying power
- Commitment to living a life set apart
We don’t sanctify ourselves by effort; we surrender to the One who does the work in us. Holiness flows not from performance but from intimacy with the Holy God.
Jehovah-M’Kaddesh reminds us that God doesn’t just save us — He sanctifies us. He loves us too much to leave us where we are. As we walk with Him, He transforms us, purifies us, and uses us for His glory.
Let His holiness become your calling.
Positional Sanctification vs Progressive Sanctification
1. Sanctification at the Moment of Salvation (Positional Sanctification)
This happens immediately when a person trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation. At that moment, God sets the believer apart as holy — not because of anything they’ve done, but because of Christ’s righteousness.
Key Aspects:
- Instant and complete in status
- Rooted in the finished work of Jesus on the cross
- Believers are declared holy in God’s sight
- It is positional — it defines your new identity in Christ
Scripture:
“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” — 1 Corinthians 6:11
In this sense, sanctification is a one-time act — God declares you holy because you are now “in Christ.”
God will never be done with you as long as you’re living on this earth — if you belong to Him, He’s always at work in you. As you grow in Christ, you’ll start noticing things about yourself that just don’t fit anymore, things that don’t belong in your life anymore.
But here’s the key: when you truly make Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross the main focus of your faith, when you recognize what He did to redeem you from the grip of sin, that’s when the Holy Spirit starts to move.
He’ll open your eyes to the imperfections you have, and He’ll give you the strength to shed them which won’t be your strength at all.
It’s important to understand that sanctification begins in an instant — at the moment you place your faith in Christ, God declares you holy, because you are now “in Christ.”
That’s the starting point, the moment your new life begins.
Now it’s time to start looking, thinking, acting, and believing as if you really do “walk in Christ”. And that’s called progressive sactification.
2. Progressive Sanctification
After salvation, the believer begins a lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ. This is called progressive sanctification — the process by which the Holy Spirit works in us to transform our character, desires, and actions.
Key Aspects:
- Ongoing growth in holiness and spiritual maturity
- Involves our cooperation (obedience, repentance, spiritual disciplines)
- Powered by the Holy Spirit
- Often involves trials, correction, and refining
Scripture:
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” — Philippians 2:12–13
Progressive sanctification is not about becoming more saved, but about becoming more like Jesus. It reflects God’s ongoing work in the life of a believer.
The Relationship Between the Two
| Positional Sanctification | Progressive Sanctification |
|---|---|
| Happens at salvation | Happens throughout life |
| Instant | Gradual |
| Declared holy in Christ | Made holy in character |
| Based on Christ’s righteousness | Involves our response and effort |
| Changes our status | Changes our behavior and heart |
Final Thought
Both aspects of sanctification reflect the heart of Jehovah-M’Kaddesh — “The LORD who sanctifies you.” He sets you apart at salvation, and He continues to shape you throughout your life.
The Christian life isn’t just about being saved from something — it’s also about being transformed into someone: more like Christ.
Here’s some more Biblical Names for God our Healer