Catechism Question 43
What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the gradual process through which those who have already been justified by faith alone are being made holy in all they desire and do, as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to actively resist sin and embrace righteousness.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are continuing to look at the Holy Spirit – and specifically at His work in sanctification in the life of a believer. There are several points that are essential to understand sanctification.
First, sanctification is a gradual process. Justification is an instantaneous, completely accomplished fact in which the believer is declared by God to be righteous because of the work of Christ. Sanctification, however, is not instantaneous but rather a gradual process. All believers are equally justified, but every believer is at a different place in the process of sanctification.
Second, sanctification follows justification. We are justified by faith alone, and then and only then can we begin the process of being sanctified. Justification and sanctification must never be separated from one another – but they also must never be confused with one another. Justification comes first, and then the Spirit begins the work of sanctification in our lives.
Third, sanctification results in changed conduct. In justification, we are declared righteous despite our actual conduct. In sanctification, our actual conduct is being gradually conformed to Christ.
Fourth, sanctification involves the whole person. The Spirit is not only working to change our external conduct, but also our internal desires and thoughts. In fact, His work is often from the inside out, changing our very desires, which in turn issue in new actions.
Fifth, while justification is solely the work of God, in sanctification the Spirit begins the work and empowers us at every step, but we also must actively participate. If we try to work we will never be justified, but if we do not participate with the Spirit and actively work we will never be sanctified. Some of the principal ways we participate with the Spirit will be explored in the next two questions.
Finally, sanctification consists of both resisting sin and dying to its power and desires, and also embracing righteousness as we become alive to holiness by the work of the Spirit.
Additional Questions:
What do we mean by the word sanctification?
What does it mean to be sanctified or holy?
Scripture References:
Philippians 2:12–13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
2 Peter 1:5–9
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Ezekiel 36:25–27
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Ephesians 4:22–24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Romans 12:1–2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Galatians 5:16–18, 25
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law…. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Romans 8:12–14
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 6:19–22
I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is it important that we make a distinction between sanctification and justification? What happens if we begin to confuse justification and sanctification?
Why is it important to understand that sanctification is a gradual process?
Why is it important for us to know that we must cooperate with the Spirit in sanctification? What happens if we do not cooperate with the Spirit’s work in us?
Is it possible to be a Christian and to not be growing in our sanctification? If I never grow in the process of dying to sin and living for holiness, what might that say regarding my conversion?
Is holiness really important for the Christian? Why or why not?
Why is it important for us to both resist sin and to positively embrace righteousness?
Is sanctification possible apart from the work of the Spirit and His empowering? What happens if we try to simply change our own actions?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 35 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism and question 32 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Law and the Spirit in Sanctification” (August 7, 2011), “Christian Moral Formation” (November 19, 2017), “The Power of God in the Obedience of Christians” (August 20, 2017), and “Our Present Call – Walking Dead to Sin” (August 5, 2012).
Suggested Worship Song:
Take My Life (Holiness) (Scott Underwood, © 2005 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing)
Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHeEytocJVY
Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness
Is what you want from me
[Chorus:]
Take my life and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it
To yours, to yours, oh Lord
Righteousness, righteousness is what I long for
Righteousness is what I need
Righteousness, righteousness
Is what you want from me
Take my life and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it
To yours, to yours, oh Lord
Purity, purity..is what I long for
Purity is what I need
Purity, purity
Is what you want from me
Take my life and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it
To yours, to yours, oh Lord