Introduction:
In the last post I spent time explaining what theologians refer to as the initial stage of Christian sanctification - "definitive" or what is sometimes called "positional sanctification". Readers may review the last post to get a sense of what I meant in the unpacking of that truth here Growing Christian Resources: P5 Christian Sanctification's First Stage: Definitive / Positional Sanctification.
In today's post I want to continue in our series on the Biblical doctrine of sanctification. Admittedly I had meant this to only be a short series, however, in my current preaching series on Sunday evenings, wherein we are working our way through Christian sanctification, I wanted to have a chance to flesh out further observations. With that noted, we move today to the second main phase of Christian sanctification, namely "progressive sanctification".
Progressive sanctification. 1 Peter 1:5-7, 9-12, 1:14-2:3
Positional or definitive sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s uniting me to Christ and beginning the cleansing work in my heart at regeneration. Not only does the Holy Spirit unite me to Jesus Christ in that first phase of sanctification, but He also breaks the dominion of sin's power (not presence!) in the moment of regeneration. It is from thereon that sanctification continues.
We call this second phase of Christian sanctification “progressive” because it is a continual, ongoing process whereby the Holy Spirit is making me more like Jesus in thought, word, and deed. Furthermore, my participation and cooperation with the Holy Spirit is necessary for progressive sanctification. The “sanctification” part speaks of what we’ve already noted, namely the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God in my life along with my needed compliance to His work. Philippians 2:12-13 “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Let’s note some features of progressive sanctification.
A. Sanctification is a refining work.
B. Sanctification is a reaffirming work.
1 Peter 1:9-12 “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.”
As we grow in progressive sanctification, the
Holy Spirit reminds us again and again that we are children of God, destined
for glory. 1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not
appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like
Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope
fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” As we progress in sanctification, it is
refining and reaffirming. Thirdly,
C. Sanctification is a responsible work.
1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Then skip down to 1 Peter 1:22-23 “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”
Peter then
issues this exhortation in 1 Peter 2:1-3 “Therefore, putting aside all
malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn
babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in
respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”
Progressive sanctification isn’t a “let go and let God” nor is it “do better, try harder”. Instead, it is He working in me and I working with Him. We must not think of it as me giving my 50% and God doing the other 50%. Such a view of sanctification would render me in dire straits if I fail to do my part. Rather, think of sanctification as God upholding us all the way (1 Thessalonians 2:13-14) and us working with Him as evidence of His cleansing work in our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
To illustrate, when I was learning how to drive from my father, he would drive us out from our house to an old back road. We would pull over and then he would let me drive a short distance. I can remember him sometimes having to nudge the steering wheel for me, since the car would tend to drift into the side of the road as I drove. Then, we would pull over again and my dad would turn the car around and we would head home. Now, when we got into the house, my mother would ask: “how did driving go?” My dad would say: “he is getting better and he did good”. By that illustration, it is plain that we’re it not for my dad, there is no way we could had gotten out to that old country road nor gotten back home. Yet, my participation was needed to demonstrate that I had taken in what my dad was teaching me.
Final thoughts:
That’s progressive sanctification. We’ve noted how it begins with positional or definitive sanctification at saving faith. Keep those two distinctions in mind will help you as you study God’s Word on the Christian life. Next time we will look at the final phase of Christian sanctification, what I'm calling "perfect sanctification".
