The Doctrine of Sanctification There are a series of events that succeed the redeeming work of Christ on the Cross, His Resurrection and Ascension, which apply to all believers; the majority of which can solely be attributed as acts of God and not of any human. These events include: the call of God to sinners for salvation, the impartation of new life, to legally be able to stand blameless before God, and to be adopted in the family of God. Interestingly enough, there is an applicable part of the redemption in which God and man can and do operate together. This is known as sanctification, or “a progressive work of God and man that makes a believer more and more free from sin and like Christ in the believer’s actual life.” (Grudem 326) First,
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The active role in a believer’s deals with the fact the Spirit surely empowers, but requires the execution of the individual. 2 Peter 1:5 states that every believer should: “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (English Standard Version, 2Pet.1.5) A believer who edifies patterns and habits of holiness, is fashioned in their holy practices, not eager to take any shortcuts that may stunt his or her own growth. Likewise, an overemphasis on the active role can lead to a proud and conceited believer. If one aspect is heeded to more than the other, it can hinder the individual’s sanctification significantly.
To illustrate the power of sanctification in the life of a believer and the magnitude of maturity that is attainable, is that sanctification can affect the entire being of the believer. For example, sanctification can permeate through knowledge, intellect, the decision-making facet, known as the will, Not only that, but sanctification can affect the spirit as well as the physical body, according to Romans 8:29 in the English Standard version,: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many
The active role in a believer’s deals with the fact the Spirit surely empowers, but requires the execution of the individual. 2 Peter 1:5 states that every believer should: “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (English Standard Version, 2Pet.1.5) A believer who edifies patterns and habits of holiness, is fashioned in their holy practices, not eager to take any shortcuts that may stunt his or her own growth. Likewise, an overemphasis on the active role can lead to a proud and conceited believer. If one aspect is heeded to more than the other, it can hinder the individual’s sanctification significantly.
To illustrate the power of sanctification in the life of a believer and the magnitude of maturity that is attainable, is that sanctification can affect the entire being of the believer. For example, sanctification can permeate through knowledge, intellect, the decision-making facet, known as the will, Not only that, but sanctification can affect the spirit as well as the physical body, according to Romans 8:29 in the English Standard version,: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many