Defined as “setting apart” or “a process of being made holy,” sanctification can only begin while we are in our earthly bodies but cannot be completed while we are here on the Earth. Having said the latter, sanctification begins when the believer places his or her faith in Christ and is completed with resurrection and glorification with Christ. Paul claims to struggle with the flesh even after coming to Christ. This struggle is because we are still sinners and yet have been given grace and a renewed spirit in Christ; so perfect renewal cannot happen while we are here. When Paul refers to the “flesh,” he is not speaking physically but spiritually. The “flesh” represents the sinful nature of our earthly bodies. God's grace allows His work to begin and gives us hope knowing that we are not bound to our fleshly bodies. Divine grace accompanied by the Spirit begins the gradual process of sanctification or holiness, making us less sinners and more holy. The justification of a sinner before God and his internal transformation secondary to that justification places the new believer on the path to sanctification. This path leads them not only towards the holiness requested by Christ, but towards the holiness promised by Christ. Furthermore, sanctification is not optional, as Paul states: “12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation…” (Romans 8:12 NIV).