Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology

Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation

What does the Bible teach about salvation?

Sanctification
Review: A Definition for Now

Sanctification: Toward a Definition

Sanctification refers to the believers holiness of life and conductset apart by God and behaving like God. Definitive sanctification Progressive sanctification Can anyone define these two terms?

Definitive Sanctification
Review of Definition

Definitive Sanctification: Toward a Definition

Definitive sanctification is a once-for-all act of God that cleanses and purifies us from sin, which act is the product of our union with Christ in his life, death, burial, and resurrection.

Definitive Sanctification: Toward a Definition

This means that Christians are actually and truly holy in Gods sight. It is not that God looks on us as if we are holy. Unless we are actually and truly holy, we can have no access to God. Jesus work does not open up the way for sinners to have access to the holy of holies; rather, his work changes the very nature of those united to him such that they can enter the holy of holies.

Definitive Sanctification: Toward a Definition

This is why I do not like the language that is sometimes used to refer to this aspect of sanctification; namely, positional sanctification. The language of positional sanctification implies that there is not an existential change that takes place in the Christian as a result of his having been sanctified. It is simply hypothetical. What the Bible teaches is that our sanctification is not hypothetical; it is actual. We are holy and blameless. Once we were not holy; but now through union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection, we are.

Definitive Sanctification
A Confusing Doctrine?

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

The Bible equivocates on the term sanctification. Sometimes it refers to the once-for-all, irrespective of faith kind And other times it refers to the progressive, consequence of faith kind.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements. 1 Cor 6:11: Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Thess 4:3-5: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
1 Cor 6:11 says, You are already sanctified.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
1 Cor 6:11 says, You are already sanctified. 1 Thess 4:3-5 says, You need to be sanctified.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
1 Cor 6:11 says, You are already sanctified. 1 Thess 4:3-5 says, You need to be sanctified.

This is definitive sanctification.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
1 Cor 6:11 says, You are already sanctified. 1 Thess 4:3-5 says, You need to be sanctified.

This is This is definitive progressive sanctification. sanctification.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

Dont be too nervous about the Bible using one term with different nuances. Take the will of God, for example. Dan 4:35: All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, What have You done? 1 Thess 4:3-5: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
Dan 4:35 says, The will of God cannot be resisted.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
Dan 4:35 says, The will of God cannot be resisted. 1 Thess 4:3-5 says, The will of God can be resisted.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
Dan 4:35 says, The will of God cannot be resisted. 1 Thess 4:3-5 says, The will of God can be resisted.

This is the decretive, secret, or sovereign will of God.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

What this means is that on the surface it will seem as if the Bible makes contradictory statements.
Dan 4:35 says, The will of God cannot be resisted. 1 Thess 4:3-5 says, The will of God can be resisted.

This is the This is the decretive, prescriptive secret, or will of God. sovereign will of God.

Definitive Sanctification: Clarifying Confusion

Thus biblically speaking there are two kinds of sanctification, both of which are appropriate to call sanctification: Once-for-all, irrespective of faith sanctification, or definitive sanctification. And over time, responsive to faith sanctification, or progressive sanctification. Which is what we will address today

Progressive Sanctification
A Working Definition

Progressive Sanctification: Definition

Progressive sanctification is the process of becoming more and more holy throughout our Christian lives. Lets unpack this together

Progressive Sanctification
A Process of Holiness

Progressive Sanctification: A Process of Holiness

Unlike definitive sanctification, progressive sanctification is a process; It is not instantaneous, but takes place over time. In fact, it is something that begins immediately upon our conversion (when we exercise saving faith and repentance) And continues until we are glorified.

Progressive Sanctification: A Process of Holiness

1 Thess 5:23: Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Phil 1:6: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Progressive Sanctification: A Process of Holiness

2 Cor 3:18: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 1 Thess 3:12: and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Progressive Sanctification
Our Responsible Participation

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

Progressive sanctification, unlike definitive sanctification, is something we perform. This does not mean that God is not at work in us. But it does mean that God does not do it instead of us. Progressive sanctification requires our responsible participation.

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

Phil 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; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

We are commanded to be holy, to grow in our conformity to the image of God 1 Pet 1:15-16: but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY. Heb 12:14: Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

We are commanded to be holy, to grow in our conformity to the image of God. 1 Pet 2:2: like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. 2 Pet 3:18: but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

We are commanded to be holy, to grow in our conformity to the image of God Rom 8:13: for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Col 3:5: Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

We are commanded to be holy, to grow in our conformity to the image of God Rom 8:13: for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Col 3:5: Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

In Galatians, the Apostle Paul refers to this process of growth in holiness walking in the Spirit. Gal 5:16-17: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Progressive Sanctification: Our Responsible Participation

In reality, we could include every single command for Christians in Scripture under the rubric of progressive sanctification, As God has designed them all for our growth in grace, to be conformed to the image of his son.

Progressive Sanctification
A Process of Responsible Participation

Progressive Sanctification: Process of Responsible Participation

See Rom 6:12-23 <Turn there in your Bibles>

Progressive Sanctification
Implications

Progressive Sanctification: Implications

Believers are never finished being sanctified until their glorification; therefore sinlessness in this life is an impossibility. Phil 3:13-14: Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 1 John 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 2:1: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Progressive Sanctification: Implications

It is perfectly appropriate, and indeed, necessary, to talk about our indwelling sin with a view to its mortification. Romans 8:13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Col 3:5, 8-10: Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 1and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.

Progressive Sanctification: Implications

Limp-glove theologies are inadequate models for Christian growth and obedience. 2 Pet 1:5-10: Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.

Excursus
The Problem of Perfectionism

The Problem of Perfectionism

What about perfectionism? 1 John 3:6-9: No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

The Problem of Perfectionism

Perfectionists teach that believers can come to a point where they no longer sin. This is problematic on the basis of 1 John for the following reasons:
1 John 3:9 would then teach too much; it would be saying that every regenerate person never sins. 1 John 1:8 says explicitly if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If this is referring to past sin, why use the present tense? See also 1 John 5:16 1 John 3:2-3 implies (1) that we have not yet arrived at perfection; (2) that we have impurity yet that needs to be cleansed.

The Problem of Perfectionism

So then, what does 1 John 3:6-9 teach?
Some suggest that it is referring to definitive sanctification (Reformation Study Bible) Others that it refers to habitual, constant sinning (Wayne Grudem, John MacArthur) Finally, that it refers to the sin specified in 5:16-17, the sin leading to death (John Murray) Thus no true believer sins in the sense that no true believer will sin the sin that leads to death.

The Problem of Perfectionism

Understanding 1 John 3:6-9:
1 John 4:2-3 is the test of the Christian faith. 1 John 5:1 says that everyone born of God believes that Jesus is the Christ. This is the faith that overcomes the world (5:4) and is the mark of every true believer. Therefore we would suggest that the sin that leads to death, the sin no intercession should be made for, is the sin of denying that Jesus is the Christ (the spirit of antichrist). Thus when John says that no one who is born of God sins in 3:9, he is saying that no one who is born of God sins by rejecting the doctrine of the incarnation.

Definitive Sanctification and Progressive Sanctification

Understanding Their Relationship

Definitive and Progressive

Definitive and progressive sanctification occupy different places in the ordo salutis:
Election Predestination (Effectual/Effective) Calling Regeneration Definitive Sanctification Repentance Faith Justification Adoption Progressive Sanctification Glorification

Definitive and Progressive

If we are holy, why must we become holy? There is a problem with this question: it is forgetting that the Bible uses holy in two different senses. If definitive sanctification (holy1) refers to the believers once-for-all in Christ constitution as blameless in Gods sight and progressive sanctification (holy2) refers to the process of change of becoming conformed to the image of Christ in time, why would we have a problem with being holy1 in one sense and not being holy2 in another?

Definitive and Progressive

Definitive sanctification is in the bank Progressive sanctification is your withdrawals With each act of obedience, with every step of growth, you are becoming more and more of who you are in Jesus Christ; you are living out the implications of your identity, drawing on the holiness-in-Christ which is already your identity.

Definitive and Progressive

Col 3:12-13: So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. This is Romans 6-7 in a nutshell. Paul expected the Christian to conform his processive experience with sin to his definitive death to sin (Reymond, A New Systematic Theology, 769, italics in original).

Definitive and Progressive

Your progressive sanctification depends on your definitive sanctification. If you have not already been made holy in union with Christ, you have no hope for becoming holy in time in this life. Heb 10:14: For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.