The Doctrine of Sanctification: God’s Goal For Us
Sanctification – The Process
The goal of sanctification is Christlikeness, and the “standard is for complete freedom from sin.”[2] It is possible to avoid giving in to temptation and to live blameless. Paul puts it this way: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Cor. 10:13). But the reality is that Christians sin. No one is entirely free from sin. This is why Jesus commanded us to pray “Forgive us our sins…and lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11; Mat. 6). Perfection is the aim, sinlessness as the standard. However, whether or not a Christian can live the sinless life continues to be the subject of debates.
Two schools of thought:
1. The Perfectionists (Arminians, Pentecostals, Nazarenes) – We can get to the state here on earth where we never sin. Not that it is impossible, rather, one can master the flesh in such a way as not to sin. Here are supporting texts: (Mat. 5:48; Eph. 4:13; 1 Thes. 5:23; Heb. 13:20-1).
2. The Non-perfectionists (seek to be blameless) – This school of thought argues that “perfection cannot be attained in this life; theoretically possible (freedom from and victory over sin), but doubtful to be attained in this life.”[3] Here’s the line of reasoning. Scripture affirms:
a. John alludes to the struggle and the need for God – “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts” (1 Jn. 1:8-10).
b. Paul alludes to the struggle post-conversion – “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” (Rom. 7:18-19).
c. Jesus describes sinning as being more than explicit activity (the struggle from thoughts and actions) – But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mat. 5:28; context 5:21-8).
d. John also describes the life of the believer as a struggle – “And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is” (1 Jn. 3:3-6).