What is Sanctification?

I have truly wondered! You see, a common theory of what sanctification is, is kind of like this:
Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. Right? So the idea is this. After we accept Christ into our lives, we'll slowly do a little more good, and a little less bad, until we're hopefully perfect when Jesus comes!

Friends, that's no gospel. That's not growth, that's death.

I have learned what true sanctification is, and I'll try to share it witout belaboring the point.

"The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God's purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to our privileges."  {COL 65.2}

Honestly, I think that's the clearest description of sanctification I have ever heard. It is so refreshing, so exciting to know, that I can be perfect now!
But another quote. What is the purpose of all of this growth?

" The wheat develops "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." The object of the husbandman in the sowing of the seed and the culture of the growing plant is the production of grain. He desires bread for the hungry, and seed for future harvests. So the divine Husbandman looks for a harvest as the reward of His labor and sacrifice. Christ is seeking to reproduce Himself in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who believe in Him. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing--the reproduction of Christ's character in the believer, that it may be reproduced in others."  {COL 67.1}

Our Master is seeking fruit. He's given His all, He's imperilled heaven and all of eternity, for our salvation. (yes, there's a quote that says that,  :) {COL 196.4} "

And so Christ is looking for fruit. What is He planning for it?

"Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own."  {COL 69.1}

Christ is the pattern. He is what our fruit should look like.
And when that happens, He'll come get us.

Oh, may we all submit, to be that kind of fruit.
But for now, we need to grow.
Let's ask Him to do this in us.
-Schane