Here is a short "catechism" (if you will) of where my thinking currently lies on sanctification. It is woefully in need of fleshing out with Scripture and more careful thought, but this is a starting point, at least.
- How is sanctification manifested? Through the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
- What is evidence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Works done from a heart of obedience.
- How does one cultivate an obedient heart? It cannot itself be cultivated through human works: this is pretty much the whole point of the Gospel! Consider, for example, the necessity of a New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-33.
- How then does one cultivate an obedient heart? It can only be through prayer and repentance, for it can only be by throwing ourselves upon the grace and mercy of God, through the person and work of His Son Jesus Christ and the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Well, that's it for now. Short, and very much in need of revision and expansion.
The point—assuming I've got it right (and that's a big assumption!)—is that our sanctification is the out-working of our walk in obedience to Jesus Christ, and this is not a walk we can do of our own efforts. This is not to say that we should be passive in our sanctification (for that would lead to antinomianism), but that we can never rely upon our own flesh to achieve it.
One could argue that this is the process for justification, but not for ongoing sanctification. Once we have been justified in Christ, we have the seal of the Holy Spirit, and obedient, regenerated hearts, by which we are capable of walking in obedience to Christ. True, but we so easily fall back upon our flesh, and upon on our deceitful, natural inclinations, even as believers. How then can we become sanctified, except by constantly, repeatedly throwing ourselves back upon the Cross?
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