Let me preface this blog post by noting that sanctification has multiple meanings but I will only be dealing with sanctification as it pertains to holy living.
The biblical teaching of sanctification is one that is neglected much today. This doctrine alone would show us that much of what is called Christianity in America is nothing more than paganism with biblical names attached to it. Why do I say this? Well because God has promised that those He saves, He will also bring about a practical holiness in their lives for His glory. Let’s see a couple of verses about this promise. These verses actually teach more than one doctrine, first regeneration then sanctification.
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Notice verse 26 teaches regeneration but then God follows by saying He would cause us to walk in His statutes. Does this mean that we will keep God’s commandments perfectly? Of course not! The word “walk” is used for a way of life. Our way of life as Christians is keeping the commandments of God. This is our practice, as Christians we are not workers of iniquity (Ps. 5:5; Matt. 7:23) but workers of rigteousness. (1 Jn. 3:6-7) We seek to glorify God in all things, though we fail often, we try. We set Christ before our eyes and seek to move closer to Him and by doing so we pluck out eyes, we sever limbs, we forsake all to get a better glimpse of His glory!
The Christian life is by no means a walk in the park. Now it’s true that in position we are perfectly holy, righteous, and sanctified by faith in Christ. (Rom. 4; Eph. 2:8) It is also true that we are called to live holy lives in this crooked and perverse world. The unbelieving cannot do this because the unregenerated mind is at enmity with God and cannot submit to His laws. (Rom. 8:7)
The only reason any Christian will keep God’s commandments is not only because the Spirit regenerates our hearts but also because the Spirit is still working in us to keep His commandments. (Phil. 2:13) Like the verses that were mentioned in the beginning of this post, God promised He would cause us to keep His commandments! What God promises to do He does! If He promises that those He saves will walk in His commandments they will because He will make sure of it. There is no such creature as a true Christian who doesn’t obey Christ. Jesus said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn. 14:15) This is the essence of being a Christian, loving Christ. If we don’t love Christ we are none of His and He doesn’t love us. (Matt. 7:23) It’s not our love for Him that compels Him to love us though. It’s His love for us that initiates us to love Him in return. (1 Jn. 4:19) Then in our love for Him we obey Him. It’s not guilt that compels true obedience but love. So as preachers we have an obligation to continually reinforce God’s love for His elect, which is the same love He has for His Son. (Jn. 17:23)
So in closing let me point some things out. First, as Christians we will no doubt seek to serve God and love Him more and more. Why? Because God promised it and makes sure it comes about. Second, as Christians we serve and love Him because He loves us. He loves us so much that He chose us before the foundation of the world, He came and died to secure our salvation, He indwells us with His Spirit, and He moves us into a sanctifying lifestyle by the power of His Spirit. God says, “without holiness (sanctification) no man shall see,” Him and He makes sure His people are being sanctified.
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