Means of Sanctification

Means of Sanctification

   How does a believer grow in holiness? What means did God ordain in order for his children to be conformed more into the image of the Son? In other words, what can Christians do to assist in their sanctification?

  The primary means of sanctification is the word of God. Without the word there is no growth. It is in the Bible that we find the way of holiness and Christlikeness. Therefore, the Spirit of God uses Scripture to sanctify believers. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” (Jn. 17:17-19). He teaches, illumines our hearts, gives us understanding, applies the word, convicts, conforms, challenges, and corrects.

   There are twelve kinds of passages that show Scripture to be the instrument in sanctification. First, some connect spiritual life with truth (Jn. 6:63, 8:32; Jms. 1:18). Second, others teach truths that promote obedience (Ps. 119:34, 43-44). Third, there are verses that ascribe quickening power to the word of God (Ps. 119:50, 93; 1Pet. 1:23). Fourth, some passages warn in an effort to prevent sin (Ps. 119:11, 104). Fifth, cleansing from sin is attributed to God's word (Ps. 119:9; 1Pet. 1:22). Sixth, Scripture produces hatred for sin (Ps. 119:104, 128). Seventh, the word of God demonstrates the power to lead to salvation (2Tim. 3:15-17). Eighth, the scriptures possess all things that pertain to life and godliness (2Pet. 1:2-3). Ninth, growth in grace is implied through the knowledge of God's word (Heb. 5:12-14). Tenth, an infant level of knowledge accounts for weakness and immaturity (1Cor. 3:1-3). Eleventh, the word is set forth as the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). And twelfth, the word announces that all the gifts for ministry are for the perfecting of the saints (Eph. 4:11-16).

   The word of God is the primary means of sanctification; the chief instrument used by the Spirit to perfect his own. But, there are other means that the Lord uses. The providence of God rightly apprehended and applied through the word may benefit believers. Good works induced by the word causes growth. Prayer made effective through the believer's comprehension of the word of truth fuels development. Worship and Bible study promotes spiritual health. The fellowship of believers in connection with divine truth where prayer, preaching, watchcare, discipline, and any other grace and comfort are observed and administered can only profit the Christian. The ministry of pastors and teachers who properly handle the word of truth will be effective in the sanctification of the sheep. Also, the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper convey the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord and his eternal covenant made with believers which in turn, causes reflection, joy, examination, praise, anticipation, excitement, humility, etc. In a word, all of these means lead to sanctification or growth in Christ.

   Weekly, Christians gather to hear the word of God read, taught, and preached (well, at least they ought to desire to attend weekly worship!). But, do they hear? Do they listen? Have they been taught how to hear and listen? Or, more importantly, do they know how to prepare themselves to hear and listen to the very words of the Living God? What follows are some suggestions for believers in order to prepare themselves to listen to and hear the word of God.

Weekly Preparation

   The importance of preparation before coming to church must not be overlooked. It would benefit believers to prepare throughout the week to hear from God and not merely on Sundays or when they walk into the church. Begin by praying for your pastor (and teachers) throughout the week. “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company” (Rom. 15:30-32). “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you...” (2 Thess. 3:1). Ask the Lord to bless him and illumine his heart and mind so that he may bring God's word to God's people. Pray for the growth and understanding of your pastor. Pray that your pastor remains faithful to the word of God and that God would strengthen him against attacks, discouragement, apathy, and depression.

Prepare Physically

   You, the hearer, must also prepare yourself physically to hear from God. Be well rested so that you may be attentive to the preaching of the word. Pray for yourself, that the Lord may grant you alertness and the ability to hear and understand the word of God and remove any distractions. Prepare by lessening your routine on Sunday mornings by making preparations for church the night before. You may prepare food and clothes ahead of time to avoid being rushed in the morning. This saved time could be used to pray and focus upon the Lord.

Prepare Personally

   Next, believers may prepare by being excited and expecting to hear from God through his word. Anticipate hearing from God. Do not just go through the motions. Pray that you will be challenged, convicted, and changed. Pray for clarity of thought, the removal of distractions, and peace of mind so that you can focus on the word of God and not the cares of this world. Be prepared to be confronted by the living God.

Prepare Spiritually

   Listeners expecting to hear from God through the preaching and teaching of his word must repent and confess known sin. This restores fellowship between God and the believer. Believers may also pray for purity of heart and the illumination of the Spirit in order to not only hear, but to also understand and apply.

Pay Attention

   To listen and hear effectively, do not look around. Focus intently on the preacher and his message. Do not engage in idle or worldly conversations before the service. This takes the focus off of the Lord and is terribly distracting and irreverent. Be a good steward of the short amount of time that you are blessed with to sit under the word. Take advantage of the gift that you have to hear the word proclaimed. Do not take this for granted. Another suggestion is to take notes. This will enhance your listening skills and study.

After the Service

   The service may only last for an hour, but the time that you have afterward is much greater and could prove very profitable if used rightly. Reflect on what was said. Read and reread the passage of Scripture that was preached and read any notes that were taken. Discuss the sermon with family members or a friend. Pray that the Lord will apply his truth to your heart. Finally, make it a point to think about the sermon throughout the week. Do not hear it and forget it.

Search the Scriptures

   After the service and sometime during the following week, read and study the text further. Read other passages that relate to the one that was preached. Compare the sermon with the word of God. Make sure that the pastor is handling the word accurately. This is not judgmental or even negative. No, listener, you are responsible before God. So, take notice of what is being spoken from the pulpit. Seek to apply the truth of God to your heart and life. Or, better yet, seek to apply your life to the truth of God.

   Sadly, we are no longer good listeners. We are a visual people. That is to our detriment. We need, no, we must become listeners again! We must train and prepare ourselves to hear and listen. Christians must ignore distractions and hang on every word that proceeds from the mouth of our great and glorious God. This is a discipline. Disciplines are not easy. They take hard work and effort. But, we serve a powerful God and by his grace and for his glory, he can transform us and mold us into good listeners. Oh Lord, give your people ears to hear!

Roles of Sanctification

Roles of Sanctification

   Are there differing roles in sanctification? What is God's role? Does man play a role in his own sanctification? If so, what is it? What must a believer do to grow in holiness and become more like Christ?

God's role

   Sanctification is primarily the work of God. The work of sanctification is ascribed to each member of the Trinity. As with everything done by the triune God, they work in concert. Everything accomplished had been planned since before the foundations of the world. This includes God's plan of redemption and the sanctification of God's elect.

   The Father is ascribed a part in the sanctification of his children. Several New Testament verses demonstrate this truth. The God of peace is said to sanctify. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thess. 5:23). Part of sanctification is godly discipline, which is attributed to the Father. The Father chastises his children in order to teach them their wrong and motivate them to repent, change, learn, and grow. “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:7-11).

   In short, the Father is at work in the heart and life of believers. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). Other verses are: John 17:17; Ephesians 2:5; 1Peter 1:1-2, 2:5; Jude 1.

   Sanctification is also assigned to the Son. It was Christ that earned the sanctification of his own. “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption...” (1Cor. 1:30). The Lord Jesus plays another role, he is the example of holiness and suffering that every Christian is to emulate. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2). “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1Pet. 2:21). “By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1Jn. 2:5-6).

   There are many other passages that tell of Christ and his role in our being conformed into his image. They include but are not limited to: Ephesians 1:1, 2:10, 5:25-27; Hebrews 2:11-14, 13:12; 2Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Colossians 1:2, and 2:6-13.

   Finally, the Holy Spirit plays an enormous role in our sanctification. It is the Spirit that produces life in the life of believers. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23). The Spirit also leads and guides the believer's walk. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Gal. 5:16-18). “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).

   As would be expected, there remain numerous other passages of Scripture that could be quoted to show the Spirit's role. They will simply be listed: 1Peter 1:2; 2Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 15:16; 1Corinthians 6:21; Titus 3:5; 2Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 1:18-19; John 6:63, and 16:13-14.

Man's role

   The role of the individual Christian is his or her sanctification can be termed both passive and active. It is passive in the sense that the believer depends on God to do his sanctifying work (as discussed in the previous section). On the other hand, it is active in that the believer strives to obey God, grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, and to become more like Christ.

   Sanctification, in part, is passive. This means that the believer is at the mercy of the Lord pertaining to sanctification. Believers must trust and pray to the Lord that he develop holy affections. “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Rom. 6:13).        Also, it is the Spirit that kills sin. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13). Finally, the scriptures reveal that God is at work to accomplish his good pleasure- to finish what he began at regeneration. “...For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

   However, believers are to be active in their own sanctification. We are not to simply remain inactive or sit idly by. We play a vital role in our own growth and maturity. This is one of many tensions throughout Scripture- God and man are at work in sanctification. In fact, we cooperate with God in this work. With the constant aid of the Spirit, believers kill sin. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13). God moves, acts, and transforms, yet believers are commanded to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13).

   The word of God is replete with texts that motivate believers to actively pursue their sanctification. Believers are challenged to: strive after holiness (Heb. 12:14), abstain from immorality (1Cor. 6:18; 1Thess. 4:3), purify themselves (2Cor. 7:1; 1Jn. 3:3), and grow in godliness (2Pet. 1:5). Other passages to contemplate are: Romans 12:1-13:14; Ephesians 4:17-6:20; Philippians 4:4-9; Colossians 3:5-4:6; and 1Peter 2:11-5:11.

In addition to these, Christians are to read and meditate on the word (Matt. 4:4; Jn. 17:17), pray (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6), worship (Eph. 5:18-20), and fellowship (Heb. 10:24-25). All of these promote holiness and growth. All of these are avenues the Lord uses to communicate grace to his own. These practices and disciplines nourish God's growing children.

   Sanctification is a wonderful thing. It involves God and man, but there is also a corporate element. The process of being conformed more into the image of Christ is individual, but it likewise involves other believers- the church. We need other Christians to help us grow and mature. Much of the New Testament is written to churches and a good deal of the message is encouraging one another in Christlikeness. Merely read Hebrews 10:24-25; 1Peter 2:5-9; 1Thessalonians 5:11; and Ephesians 4:2-16 to see this truth. We need God and others. We cannot do this alone. We must not even try.

Stages of Sanctification

Stages of Sanctification

   What is sanctification? Our working definition has been, 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.

   The stages of sanctification can be narrowed down to three. They are: begins at regeneration, is progressive throughout the life of a believer, and is completed at death.

Sanctification begins at regeneration

   Regeneration changes everything. Spiritually dead sinners are made alive in Christ and become new creatures. The old nature is killed and believers are given the Spirit in order to subdue the remaining flesh and provoke growth in holiness. The believer is transformed and cannot habitually or continually live in sin. The power of sin has been broken. The relationship with sin has changed- it has been severed.

   Christians are dead to sin. “ So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11). Believers no longer love sin, nor are they dominated by it. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Rom. 6:12-14). Having been freed from sin's bondage, believers are now slaves of righteousness. “Having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:18). Christians serve a new master and can resist the temptation to sin because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

   Sanctification is positional. This means that a believer is sanctified in Christ. Believers are privileged to be holy due to their union with the sinless Son of God. “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus..” (1Cor. 1:2). “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1Cor. 6:11). “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10).

   The blood of Christ is said to sanctify believers. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27). “... Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:14). “ So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood” (Heb. 13:12).

   What this means is that believers are sanctified in the sight of God because they are united to Christ. God knows the end from the beginning. So, there is a sense where believers are sanctified, however, in another sense, they still sin and are growing and progressing in holiness.

   Romans 8:30 explains this, “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” The key thing to notice is that believers are said to be glorified. This is in the past tense meaning that believers are as good as glorified because God cannot fail to accomplish what he began. Everyone whom God chose will be called. Those who are called will be justified. And those who are justified will be glorified. The same holds true for sanctification. Although sanctification is not mentioned explicitly in the verse, it is implied. Glorification implies sanctification. In order to be glorified, a believer must grow in holiness throughout life. Upon death, sanctification will be complete- the believer will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye and be like Christ.

   Even though positionally a Christian is sanctified in Christ, actually they remain sinful and imperfect. This is the ongoing tension and struggle known as the Christian life. We continue to dwell in sinful flesh. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members” (Rom. 7:18-23).

   Believers are at war. There is a battle raging inside each and every Christian. The flesh battles the Spirit, and the Spirit wages war against the flesh. “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Gal. 5:17). “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1Pet. 2:11). However, the Spirit gives strength to overcome sin. Christians may lose ground or suffer small defeats and the flesh may prevail for a short time, but the Spirit will ultimately gain victory.

Sanctification is progressive

   Sanctification is a process that begins at regeneration and continues throughout the life of the Christian. Believers continually grow in holiness and conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ. Sin, the enemy of holiness, is slowly killed and its reign defeated. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Rom. 6:12-13). Believers, who once grew in sin, now strive to grow in righteousness. “I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification” (Rom. 6:19).

   Much of the New Testament is spent on instructing churches, which are comprised of individual believers, on how to grow in Christlikeness. Many passages simply reveal how Christians are to act.

   Some of these passages are: the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), what defiles a person (Mk. 7:14-23), suffering for Christ (Lk. 9:23-27), humility and service (Jn. 13:12-17), devotion, growth, charity, love, and fellowship (Acts 2:42-47), do not be conformed to the world... (Rom. 12:2), flee from sexual immorality (1Cor. 6:18), do all things for the glory of God (1Cor. 10:31), examine yourself (2Cor. 13:5), walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), put off the old self (Eph. 4:22-24), work out your salvation (Phil. 2:12), seek the things that are above (Col. 3:1), abstain from evil (1Thess. 5:22), do not grow weary in doing good (2Thess. 3:13), pursue righteousness, godliness, faith... (1Tim. 6:11), be strengthened by grace (2Tim. 2:1), be devoted to good works (Tit. 3:8), obey and submit to leaders (Heb. 13:17), be doers of the word (Jms. 1:22), be sober-minded and watchful (1Pet. 5:8), make calling and election sure (2Pet. 1:10), do not love the world (1Jn. 2:15), keep yourself in the love of God (Jude 21), and let the righteous do right (Rev. 22:11).

   The word of God teaches us that sanctification is necessary. In fact, there is no Christian life without it. If the Lord has caused you to be born again, then you will grow- you have to grow. God does not fail. The Spirit will make you like Christ. Sanctification is necessary: for our fellowship with God (1Jn. 4:8, 16, 19; Heb. 12:28-29), corresponds to what God has done for us in election, redemption, effectual calling, justification, adoption, and glorification (Eph. 1:4; Tit. 2:14; Jn. 17:15-17; Acts 26:18), demonstrates obedience to the will of God (Matt. 22:37-40; Rom. 6; Eph. 4-6; Jms. 1), expresses gratitude to God for his mercy (Lk. 1:74-75; Rom. 6:1-2, 15), shows fruit and evidence of union with Christ (Col. 2:6; Jms. 2:17-24), testifies to a lost world (Tit. 2:10; 1Pet. 2:9), and is preparation for heaven (Rom. 2:7-10, 8:6-13; Gal. 5:22-23; Heb. 12:14; 1Jn. 3:2-3).

Sanctification is completed at death and glorification

   Upon death, the soul of every believer is set free from indwelling sin and made perfect (Heb. 12:23; Rev. 21:27). Even this is incomplete until the Lord returns and believers receive their resurrected bodies (Rom. 8:30; 1Cor. 15:23, 49; Phil. 3:21; 1Thess. 4:14-16). Then, for all of eternity, believers will be like Christ- we will be completely sanctified (Phil. 3:20-21; 1Jn. 3:2). We will be holy. We will be unable to sin. We will finally be able to the love the Lord our God with all of our being!