Grace to grow on...

I have been wrestling with this post for at least a couple of months. As I read through some of the warnings given in the New Testament about the requirement for holiness in the Christian life, I realize that I have often been guilty of having the subtle mentality, and I think it is pervasive in the Western Church, that there are different categories for “saving faith” and being “conformed to the image of Christ.” In other words, the belief is that as long as I have “accepted Jesus into my heart,” walked the aisle and signed the card, I am bound for Heaven.

However, what is also believed is that the growing in righteousness part is just something that I do so that I will not be embarrassed on Judgement Day by not getting any rewards. I doubt that anyone would state it that blatantly, but many do boldly state it by the way they routinely live. Yet, the Holy Spirit did not make those distinctions as He moved the writers of the New Testament to write on these matters. Consider the following verses...

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:6

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9

Now, let’s recognize up front that there is a difference between striving to be perfect as He is perfect and perfectionism. None of us, no not one, will be perfect this side of eternity. In fact, John says that if we say we do not sin, we call God a liar, deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

So we know from Scripture, confirmed by our own experience, that we continue to sin even after we come to the Cross. What do we do about it? Do we just resign ourselves to our sin and go on, believing we are destined for heaven, but living just like the world? Is that possible? Scripture teaches us that it is not.

In fact, it is God’s will that we grow in holiness through that continual process called “sanctification.” It begins the moment a child of God is created and by his new nature exercises the gifts of faith and repentance.

To avoid confusion, we need to make a distinction between being justified and being sanctified. Justification is a legal determination God makes at once and for all time that we are forgiven if we are in Christ. That determination is perfect in this life solely because of the work of Christ on the Cross and the gift of Christ’s righteousness is the same for all believers. All true believers are justified.

Sanctification is an ongoing work in this life involving a cooperative (not the best word) effort between God and the believer that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our earthy lives. All true believers are in some process of active sanctification.

As Americans, we are kings of the fast food, the A-B-C solution, your best life now in 31 daily positive thoughts. But, it just doesn’t work that way.

Some people do not take the need to change seriously. They’ve walked the aisle. They’ve made their “decision” for Christ. They have their get-out-of-hell-free-card.

Is there substantively any difference between those who believe they are saved by being sprinkled with water and those who believe they are saved by walking the aisle and parroting the sinner’s prayer? Both cling to a form of sacramentalism.

However, consider Romans 8:13.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Notice that Paul doesn’t say, “If you live according to the flesh you may forfeit some rewards in Heaven.” He says, “You will die.” Does “faith without works is dead” sound familiar?

Here’s a question: Does dead faith keep us out of Hell?

If the New Testament writers (and the Holy Spirit Who inspired them) take change seriously, we should too. It’s a matter of eternal life and death.

I think it is J.I. Packer who is credited with comparing the Puritans to the Redwoods in the Forest of theology. Packer calls John Owen “the greatest of the Redwoods.” John Owen, in his classic work, The Mortification of Sin, summed up this discussion this way: Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.

Look at the second part of the Romans 8:13.

but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

There are two roles we play in sanctification. First is a passive one in which we depend on God to sanctify us by His Spirit. Second, there is an active role in which we strive to obey God and take steps that will increase our sanctification.

We may attempt to slay our indwelling sin by natural means, but it is all doomed to fail without the work of the Spirit. To paraphrase Owen, killing sin by a self-strength, through ways of self-invention, to the end of self-righteousness is the sum and substance of all false religions in the world.

It is absolutely necessary to our understanding of how to live a life of growth in Christ for us to realize that mortifying the deeds of the flesh must be done by the Spirit .

Present (or yield) yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life. Romans 6:13

But, what does Paul mean when he says we must do this by the Spirit?

The Spirit of God that dwells within us is the cause behind the performance of the duty to kill sin.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

How does the Spirit work in believers to kill our sin? In general, three ways. First, by growing in us fruit that are contrary to the works of our flesh. Second, by really weakening the root and habit of sin. He takes away our stony hearts. As He begins the work in us, so He also carries it on by degrees in this life to perfection in the next. Third, He brings the cross of Christ into the heart of a sinner. Repentance and Faith are not just the entrance exam into Christianity; they are the language by which we relate to God.

There is a real temptation to overemphasize the passive role in sanctification. “Let go and let God!” But, He works in us and with us, not against us or without us. While the Spirit’s work is an encouragement to us to keep on fighting indwelling sin, it is no occasion to neglect the battle.

So, what is our responsibility according to Romans 8:13? Paul says that it must be by the Spirit, but you must put to death the deeds of the body. Look at it this way – You have a license to kill!

Strive…for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

This is the will of God, your sanctification...1 Thess. 4:3

Several extended passages deal with this issue as well. For example, Romans 12:1-13:14; Ephesians 4:17-6:20; Phillipians 4:4-9; Col. 3:5-4:6; 1 Peter 2:11-5:11, and many others. The New Testament simply does not suggest any short-cuts for growth in Christ.

How can we possibly begin obeying the command to kill the deeds of the flesh?

First, daily Bible reading and study. Second, all of us sin therefore we need daily repentance. Third, we are more careful about the quality of our light when we let our light shine before men. Therefore, we need to be daily witnessing to others about Christ. Fourth, I would point out that God designed for sanctification to take place within a community. Community is not for an “I’m o.k. you’re o.k.” mentality where you each make each other feel better about your sin. Biblical community is about iron sharpening iron through Scripture-drenched, grace-given, cross-clinging, race-finishing accountability. That’s biblical community. Accept no substitutes.

It is important to grow in both roles of sanctification. If the active role is neglected, we become lazy. If the passive role is neglected, and just the active role is engaged, we become proud and overly confident in ourselves. In either case, our growth will be deficient.

So, why doesn’t God just zap us and make us perfect here and now?

I remember that John Piper once stated that we should take great comfort that the man who wrote Romans 8 also wrote Romans 7.

No one has figured out why God doesn’t just zap believers and make them perfect here on earth. However, we know that He is just, all-powerful, and good. So, there are reasons for our struggle. One of them may be the glory He receives by keeping the constant reminder before us of our need of Him to change us and for His forgiveness when we fail.

I bring nothing to the Cross when I am saved. I bring nothing to the Cross as He is saving me. Nevertheless, His goal is to present us without any blemish and blameless and to Him on that great day. If that is His goal, shouldn’t it be ours as well?