Sanctification

The topic of "sanctification" is something that I feel is not really talked about in churches often. I remember the first time I heard of sanctification and its explanation in a small group in college. Justification is what happens when you believe in Christ as Savior - you are set right before God and are seen as having no sin because of the fact that Christ has paid the penalty for all your sinful action and behavior. Sanctification is what should be happening in every Christian's life in that God is still working in your life to remove the sinful actions and behaviors and to grow you more into the image of Christ.
This process of becoming more like Christ is a journey that every follower of Christ must be on for their entire life - a progressive growing in understanding of what it is to be like Christ which results from the inward change of the heart. It usually shows itself in outward behavioral changes at first, but eventually moves to transforming words, thoughts and motives.
Let me say something further - there are different levels people can be at in the sanctification process. I feel like this is un-American to say. It goes against our democratic, everyone-is-equal concept. But though once justified we are all brothers and sisters in Christ with equal standing before God, some people are more mature in their growth and sanctification then others. I think this is important to remember as we are seeking to grow to be more like Christ because it reminds us that there will always be people who are ahead of us we can learn from. It keeps us humble in recognizing that we are not the end product, but it also reminds us that we have something to teach, and we the opportunity to encourage those around us to grow up into faith and maturity in Christ.
In our sanctification, let us be willing to count the cost and to follow where and how God leads.