The
Author of Sanctification
What
is sanctification? Sanctification is that work of God and man where
believers are made holy and Christlike progressively. It is the
Spirit-induced pursuit of Christlikeness wherein believers strive to
grow in holiness, love, purity, and righteousness. In other words,
it is the process of growing holy and being conformed more into the
image of Christ (Phil.
2:12-13; 1Thess. 5:23; Rom. 12:1).
This involves the killing of sin, submission to the Lord, obedience
to Scripture, weakening of lusts, warring against the flesh, and
growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Sanctification begins
at regeneration. This growth will and must continue throughout the
life of a believer and will only be completed at death (Rom. 6:11-14;
Tit. 3:5; 2Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:13-14; Col. 3:10; 1Cor. 15:49).
The Baptist Confession of Faith defines sanctification
as follows:
They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and
re generated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them
through the virtue of Christ s death and resurrection, are also
further sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue,
by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them, the dominion of the whole
body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and
more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and
strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Chapter 13, paragraph 1)
Sanctification, becoming like Christ, is real and very
difficult. Unfortunately, holiness is not imputed to believers. It
is a painful process of trial and error, learning, praying,
struggling, wrestling, striving, pursuing, combating, persevering,
and repenting. Something vile and unholy is slowly being made pure
and holy. Our fallen natures were at one time opposed to God because
of his purity and holy brilliance. Now, the nature of the believer
is transformed and made desirous of his holiness. Our very natures
are changed, awakened, made alive in Christ. Our affections,
desires, thoughts, and passions are aroused. Sanctification impacts
the entire man. Body and soul are being renewed in Christ's image
(2Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:17-24; Col. 3:5-10; 1Thess. 5:23).
Although life is a constant battle, believers can
anticipate and look forward to being completely sanctified in heaven
(1Jn. 3:2; 1Cor. 15:50-57). The Christian life, unfortunately, is
filled with grueling difficulties and trials, but we serve a powerful
and sovereign God. He is able to finish what he started. His grace
is sufficient!
The Holy Spirit is the primary author of
sanctification. This is evidenced in 1Cor. 6:11, 2Cor. 3:18, 2Thess.
2:13, and 1Pet. 1:2. Although the work of sanctification is often
attributed to the Father and Son (Jn. 17:17; Heb. 13:21; Eph. 5:26;
Tit. 2:14), it is the Spirit that indwells believers and applies the
work of Christ to them eventually bringing salvation to completion.
He enlightens the minds of Christians (Jn. 14:26; 1Cor. 2:9-16; Eph.
1:18, 3:18-19; 1Jn. 2:20, 27), gives strength (Eph. 3:16), and takes
up residence within the believer (Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14).
God saves sinners with the purpose of making them like
Christ. He does this in order to bring all glory to himself.
Believers are not saved and then left to their own devices. Oh no,
God has a plan. He saves them, keeps them saved, and begins the
arduous process of making them fit vessels for heaven. Christians
are saved by God, from God, and for God. We do not belong to
ourselves; we have absolutely no ownership over our lives.
Christians are God's property, having been purchased by the precious
blood of the Lamb. We were bought with a price and now willingly
serve our great God and desire to become like our great Savior.