The Doctrine of Sanctification: God’s Goal For Us
The Source of our Salvation
Jesus Christ is the source of our salvation (Mat. 7:21-4). It is He who paid the price for our sins and reveals His heart for His people in John 17. He tells us that God’s Word is the (only) sanctifying source, realized through His Spirit (Jm. 17:17). He expresses that sanctification is the priority of the believer (Jn. 17:22-3). Jesus states that He lived blameless and sanctified so that we could live the sanctified life as well – ““For their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” (17:19).[4] Jesus paid a hefty price:
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ sufferedfor you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed (1 Pet. 2:21-4).
Christ, then, lived, and modeled righteousness in order to empower the sons of Christ to do the same. The aim is for believers to become “servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:18). Paul the apostle frequently called himself a “bondservant or slave of Christ” was instructed by Christ to pursue sanctification in order that others may do the same:
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1); “Brothers, join in imitating me” (Phil. 3:17); and “Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am” (Gal. 4:12).
Sanctification, then, is the priority of the believer, and Christian leaders should ensure that sanctification informs all areas of biblical philosophy.
References:
[1] Erickson, M. Christian Theology, Baker Academic (2013), 897.
[2] Ibid., 902.
[3] Ibid.
[4] MacArthur, J. Sanctification: God’s Passion for His People, Crossway (2020).
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Written by Dr. Kevin A. Hall