But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;
People receive sanctification of the Spirit, that is, they become purified or holy by obedience to God’s word. Jesus says, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Sanctification comes after we are freed from sin. Paul says, "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).