Sanctification is a central doctrine of the Christian faith, describing the lifelong process by which believers are renewed in the image of Christ and grow in holiness. While justification changes a believer’s status before God, sanctification transforms the believer’s life, enabling them to die to sin and live unto righteousness. Rooted in Scripture and expounded in the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) and catechisms, sanctification is both a work of God’s grace and a responsibility of believers.
For the church in Greenville, South Carolina, the doctrine of sanctification is not merely a theological concept but a practical truth that shapes daily lives. It calls believers to pursue holiness and live as those who belong to God, reflecting His character and bringing glory to His name.
The Meaning of Sanctification
The WCF (Chapter 13.1) defines sanctification as follows:
“They, who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, 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 true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
This definition emphasizes several key aspects of sanctification:
- A Work of Grace: Sanctification is fundamentally a work of God’s grace, accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is rooted in the believer’s union with Christ and flows from His death and resurrection (Romans 6:4-6).
- A Real and Personal Transformation: Sanctification is not merely positional but involves a real and personal change in the believer’s life. It is the process by which believers are renewed in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness after the image of God (Ephesians 4:24).
- Progressive in Nature: Sanctification is a progressive work that continues throughout the believer’s life. Unlike justification, which is instantaneous and complete, sanctification involves ongoing growth in grace and the gradual mortification of sin.
The Biblical Basis for Sanctification
1. Sanctification in the Old Testament
The concept of sanctification is deeply rooted in God’s holiness and His call for His people to be holy. Leviticus 11:44 declares, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy.”
God’s holiness serves as both the standard and the motivation for His people’s sanctification. This call to holiness reflects God’s desire for His people to reflect His character and be set apart for His purposes.
2. Sanctification in the New Testament
The New Testament presents sanctification as the fruit of salvation, accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:22 proclaims, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 states: “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” These passages emphasize that sanctification is both God’s will and the necessary evidence of salvation.
The Foundation of Sanctification: Union with Christ
Sanctification is grounded in the believer’s union with Christ. Through faith, believers are united to Christ in His death and resurrection, enabling them to live a new life. Romans 6:4-5 explains, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”
Union with Christ is not merely a theological concept but the living reality that empowers sanctification. John 15:4-5 describes this union using the metaphor of the vine and branches, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
Through this vital connection to Christ, believers receive the grace and strength needed to mortify sin and cultivate holiness. Colossians 3:1-4 further illustrates this connection, calling believers to “seek those things which are above” and live in light of their identity in Christ.
The Work of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification
The Holy Spirit is the agent of sanctification, applying the work of Christ to the believer and enabling them to grow in grace. The Larger Catechism (LC 75) describes sanctification as:
“A work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of His Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.”
The Spirit works through the Word of God, prayer, sacraments, and providential circumstances to conform believers to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation is both definitive and progressive.
The Nature of Sanctification
1. Definitive Sanctification
Definitive sanctification occurs at the moment of regeneration, when the believer is set apart as holy and freed from the dominion of sin. 1 Corinthians 6:11 declares, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
2. Progressive Sanctification
Progressive sanctification is the ongoing work of God’s grace in the believer’s life, enabling them to grow in holiness and overcome sin. Philippians 2:12-13 describes this dynamic, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
This dual emphasis on God’s work and human effort highlights the believer’s active role in sanctification, empowered by divine grace.
Addressing Misunderstandings of Sanctification
1. Perfectionism
Some traditions, such as Wesleyanism, teach that believers can achieve entire sanctification in this life. However, Scripture affirms that sanctification remains incomplete due to the abiding presence of sin. Philippians 3:12-14 records Paul’s acknowledgment that he has not yet attained perfection but continues to press toward the goal.
The Reformed understanding, as articulated in LC 78, states:
“Sanctification is imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.”
2. Antinomianism
On the opposite end of the spectrum, antinomianism rejects the necessity of sanctification, arguing that grace nullifies the call to holiness. Romans 6:1-2 refutes this view, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Sanctification is not the cause of salvation but the necessary evidence of a living faith (James 2:17).
The Means of Sanctification
God has ordained specific means by which believers grow in sanctification:
- The Word of God: Scripture is the primary means of sanctification. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The Word teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains believers in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- The Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are means of grace that strengthen faith and nourish spiritual growth. They point believers to Christ’s finished work and foster communion with Him.
- Prayer: Prayer expresses dependence on God and aligns the believer’s will with His. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to bring their requests to God, promising peace that guards their hearts and minds in Christ.
- Providence: God uses life’s circumstances—both trials and blessings—to sanctify His people. Romans 8:28 assures us that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
The Goal of Sanctification: Holiness
The ultimate goal of sanctification is holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Holiness involves both separation from sin and dedication to God, reflecting His character and glorifying Him.
- Mortification of Sin: Sanctification involves putting to death the deeds of the flesh. Romans 8:13 exhorts, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
- Vivification of Righteousness: Sanctification also involves living unto righteousness, producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Believers are called to walk in newness of life, demonstrating love, joy, peace, and other virtues that reflect God’s holiness.
Sanctification and Suffering
Sanctification often occurs through suffering, as trials refine and strengthen the believer’s faith. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to count it all joy when facing trials, knowing that testing produces endurance and maturity. Similarly, Romans 5:3-5 connects suffering to hope, as it deepens the believer’s trust in God.
The Hope of Sanctification: Glorification
Sanctification points forward to glorification, the final stage of salvation when believers will be completely conformed to the image of Christ. 1 John 3:2-3 declares, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
This eschatological hope inspires perseverance and motivates believers to pursue holiness in the present.
Application of Sanctification
The doctrine of sanctification has profound implications for Christian living:
- Pursuing Holiness: Believers are called to pursue holiness in every area of life. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
- Living as Witnesses: Sanctification equips believers to shine as lights in the world, reflecting God’s character and pointing others to Christ (Matthew 5:16).
- Encouraging One Another: Sanctification is a communal process. Believers are called to encourage and build one another up (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Conclusion
Sanctification is the ongoing work of God’s grace, transforming believers into the likeness of Christ and enabling them to live in holiness. Rooted in union with Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, sanctification calls believers to mortify sin, grow in grace, and live as God’s holy people.
For the church in Greenville, this doctrine provides encouragement and challenge. It assures us that God is at work in us and calls us to actively pursue holiness for His glory. As Philippians 1:6 declares, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”