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THE DOCTRINE OF SANCTIFICATION
Definition: The setting apart for God's use whereby the Christian grows in Grace
and is transformed from degree of glory to degree of glory into the holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Millard J.
Erickson defines sanctification as the divine act of making the believer actually holy, that is, bringing the person's moral
condition into conformity with the legal status established in justification.
The Baptist Faith and Message (2000):
"Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is
enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him.
Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life."
Perfection (maturity) is an end or goal
toward which one endeavors by the grace of God; in no way is "perfectionism taught here," for the 1963 statement goes on to
say: "All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never
fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation,
whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the cause of Christ, and temporal judgments
on themselves, yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (s.v., "God's Purpose of Grace).
The
Westminster Shorter Catechism (Answer to Question 35, "What is sanctification?") says: "The work of God's free grace, whereby
we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness."
John Murray reminds us that God the Holy Spirit is the AGENT of sanctification: "It is necessary to be reminded that
in the last analysis we do not sanctify ourselves. It is God who sanctifies (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Specifically it is the
Holy Spirit Who is the agent of sanctification. In this connection certain observances require to be made[:] (1) The mode
of the Spirit's operation in sanctification is encompassed by mystery. . . . (2) It is imperative that we realize our complete
dependence upon the Holy Spirit. . . . (3) It is the Spirit of Christ and as the Spirit of Him Who raised up Christ from the
dead that the holy Spirit sanctifies" (John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied).
James Inell Packer observes
that the concept is not of sin being totally eradicated (that is to claim too much) or merely counteracted (that is to say
too little), but of a divinely wrought character change freeing us from sinful habits and forming in us Christlike affections,
dispositions, and virtues.
Sanctification is an ongoing transformation within a maintained consecration, and it engenders
real righteousness within the frame of relational holiness. Relational sanctification, the state of being permanently set
apart for God, flows from the cross, where God through Christ purchased and claimed us for himself (1 Corinthians 6:9,11;
Acts 20:28; 26:18; Hebrews 10:10).
Moral renovation, whereby we are increasingly changed from what we once were, flows
from the agency of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:11, 19-20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians
4:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thesssalonians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21). God calls His children to sanctity and graciously
gives what he commands (1 Thessalonians 44; 5:2 3).
Sanctification Compared and Contrasted with Regeneration
1.
Regeneration is birth; sanctification is growth.
2. In regeneration, God implants desires that were not there before:
desire for God, for holiness, and for the hallowing and glorifying of God's name in this world; desire to pray, worship, love,
serve, honor, and please God; desire to show love and bring benefit to others. In sanctification, the Holy Spirit works in
the believer to will and to act according to God's purpose; He prompts you to "work out your salvation" (i.e., express it
in action) by fulfilling these new desires (Philippians 2:12-13). Christians become increasingly Christlike as the moral profile
of Jesus (the "fruit of the Spirit") is progressively formed in them (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:19; 5:2 2 -2 5). Paul's
use of "glory" in 2 Corinthians 3:18 shows that for him sanctification of character is glorification begun. Then the physical
transformation that gives us a body like Christ's, one that will match our totally transformed character and be a perfect
means of expressing it, will be glorification completed (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 15:49-53).
3. Regeneration was a momentary,
monergistic act of quickening the spiritually dead. As such, it was God's work alone. Sanctification, however, is in one sense
synergistic -- it is an ongoing cooperative process in which regenerate persons, alive to God and freed from sin's dominion
(Romans 6:11, 14-18), are required to exert themselves in sustained obedience. God's method of sanctification is neither activism
(self-reliant activity) nor apathy (God-reliant passivity), but God-dependent effort (2 Corinthians 7: 1; Philippians 3:10-14;
Hebrews 12:14). Knowing that without Christ's enabling we can do nothing, morally speaking as we should, and that he is ready
to strengthen us for all that we have to do (Philippians 4:13), we "stay put" (remain, abide) in Christ, asking for his help
constantly -- and we receive it (Colossians 1: 11; 1 Timothy 1: 12; 2 Timothy 1: 7; 2: 1).
Sanctification and the
Doctrine of the Perseverence of the Saints
Though we may have our setbacks in the sanctification process, all of God's
elect will make positive gain in the Christian life in a word, they will all "continue in the faith." J. C. Ryle asserted:
"The Bible teaches that true believers, real genuine Christian, shall persevere in their religion to the end of their lives.
They shall never perish. They shall never be lost. They shall never be cast away. Once in Christ, they shall always be in
Christ. Once made children of God by adoption and grace, they shall never cease to be His children and become children of
the devil. Once endued with the grace of the Spirit, that grace shall never be taken from them. Once pardoned and forgiven,
they shall never be deprived of their pardon. Once joined to Christ by living faith, their union shall never be broken off.
Once called by God into the narrow way that leads to life, they shall never be allowed to fall into hell. In a word, every
man, woman, and child on earth that receives saving grace shall sooner or later receive eternal glory. Every soul that is
once justified and washed in Christ's blood shall at length be found safe at Christ's right hand" (J. C. Ryle, Perseverance,
pp. 44-5). In a word, the continual application of the reconciling work of Christ in sanctifying grace by God the Holy Spirit
will be perpetually applied to the true believer, but the only distinguishing criterion for identifying this union with Christ
is the steadfastness of a believer's conduct. Jesus said: "By their fruits you shall know them," and "I have ordained that
your fruit shall remain." Paul put it this way: "[You will be presented] holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight,
if you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel" (Colossians 1:22-23).
(See also Hebrews 3: 6, 14.) True believers may fall, but they do not remain down (Psalm 37:23-24).
Sanctification
and God's Moral Law
The standard to which God's work of sanctifying His saints is directed is His own revealed moral law,
as expounded and modeled by Christ Himself. Christ's love, humility, and patience under pressure are to be consciously imitated
(Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:2 1), for a Christ-like spirit and attitude are part of what law-keeping involves.
Believers find within themselves contrary urgings. The Spirit sustains their regenerate desires and purposes; their
fallen, Adamic instincts (the "flesh") which, though dethroned, are not yet destroyed, constantly distract them from doing
God's will and allure them along paths that lead to death (Galatians 5:16-17; James 1:14-15). To clarify the relationship
between the law and sin, Paul analyzes in a personal and dramatic way the sense of impotence for complete law-keeping, and
the enslavement to behavior one dislikes, that the Spirit-flesh tension produces (Romans 7:14-2 5). This conflict and frustration
will be with Christians as long as they are in the body.
Yet by watching and praying against temptation, and cultivating
opposite virtues, they may through the Spirit's help "mortify" (i.e., drain the life out of, weaken as a means of killing)
particular bad habits, and in that sense more and more die unto sin (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5). They will experience many
particular deliverances and victories in their unending battle with sin, while never being exposed to temptations that are
impossible to resist (1 Corinthians 10: 13). [James I. Packer, Concise Theology), s.v. "Sanctification."]
There are
three aspects to sanctification, according to C. C. Ryrie:
1. positional sanctification, possessed by every believer from
the moment of his conversion (one's perfect standing in holiness, Acts 20:32); 1 Corinthians 1:2);
2. progressive sanctification,
the daily growth in grace, becoming in practice more and more set apart for God's use (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26); and
3.
ultimate sanctification, attained only when we are fully and completely set apart to God in heaven (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
God's prescription for Sanctification aggressive putting to death of indwelling sin (Romans 6-8)
The Nature of
Indwelling Sin In Believers: Sin indwells all believers. It is a law within our hearts. We never finish dealing with it, even
as Christians. [Note: For the best treatment of the Christian and indwelling sin, see John Owen, Sin and Temptation.
WHAT
FOLLOWS IS AN ANATOMY OF TEMPTATION (See the Epistle of James 1:12-15.)
The Power of Indwelling Sin
Sin is enmity
toward God. It is aversion of God, and it is opposed to anything we do for Him. A humble walk before God is necessary.
The
Deceit of Indwelling Sin
Sin proceeds in temptation by steps. The first step of temptation is to deceive the mind. Meditation
and prayer weaken deceit, but sin seeks to divert believers from these duties.
The Enticement of Indwelling Sin
The
second step of temptation is to entice the emotions. We must guard our affections by mortifying sin and fixing our affections
on the cross of Christ. [Note: See Thomas Watson's Body of Divinity, s.v. "The sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer, "Lead
us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one," for an exhaustive list of the subtleties of Satan.]
The
Conception of Indwelling Sin
The third step of temptation is to conceive sin in the human will. Sin uses the deception
of the mind and the enticement of the emotions to accomplish this conception. God acts to prevent the fruition of sin by His
providence and grace (1 Corinthians 10:11-15).
The Effects of Indwelling Sin
Sin invades all believers. It attempts
to cause gradual moral decline among them. It resists all efforts of the law to stop this decline.
The Nature of Temptation
All believers face temptation. In the general sense of temptation, God tests His people. In the specific sense, Satan
tempts them to do evil.
Entering into Temptation
When sin entangles us, we enter into temptation. This occurs
in the hour of temptation-when sin exerts special effort to entangle us.
The Power of Temptation
Even the strongest
of saints faces temptation and sometimes commits sin. Believers often use inadequate safeguards against the power of temptation.
We face this power of temptation both publicly and privately.
The Danger of Temptation
Temptation operates subtly.
We must maintain vigilance against it by recognizing the dangers of temptation and by realizing our own inadequacy to preserve
ourselves. We must also abide in prayer if we do not wish to abide in temptation.
Watching against Temptation
Temptation
especially assaults us in times of prosperity, indifference, success, or self-confidence. We must fortify our heart against
the approaches of temptation, especially during these more vulnerable times.
Keeping Christ's Word against Temptation
Christ's patience cannot be separated from the gospel. We must know, value, and obey His word of patience, for then God
keeps us in the hour of temptation.
The Character of Mortification
God commands all believers to mortify the deeds
of the body through the Spirit. He accompanies this command with the promise of abundant life. Mortification involves the
habitual weakening of, and contention against, sin.
The Need for Mortification
We need to mortify besetting sins
daily. The Holy Spirit alone performs this work in believers. Mortification is not possible for unregenerate men or for disobedient
believers.
The Preparation for Mortification
Nine considerations aid believers in preparing for mortification
of sin. Believers should realize the guilt,
danger, and evil of Sin. We should also meditate God's perfection in contrast
to our sinfulness.
The Practice of Mortification
The work of mortification actually involves only things. First,
we must trust in Christ's sufficiency. Second, we must seek the Holy Spirit Who alone mortifies sin.
Conclusion
Remember:
"This is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thessalonians 4:3). It is a very thorough process so far as God is
concerned: "[May] the very God of peace sanctify you completely; and I [Paul the apostle] pray God that your whole spirit,
soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the [Second] Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He Who called you Who
will also do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
Note: For the very best treatment of the doctrine of sanctification in
the Christian life, read John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Read also the masterful treatment of the doctrine of sanctification
by J. C. Ryle, Holiness: It's Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots.
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