The Sword Room

For this blogpost you will want to look up Eph. 4:22-24 and Col. 3:9-10.  I consider these two passages to be a definitive starting point for discussion of the “how to” or mechanics of sanctification. As you will see, the Word of God gives some general instruction but does not explain exactly how to gain victory in each specific area of behavior. More on this later.

Sanctification involves growth in three areas: holiness, righteousness, and knowledge. Growth in holiness involves separation from the defilement of sin and is performed through the putting off of the old man. Growth in righteousness involves replacing sinful behavior patterns (thoughts, words, deeds) with upright behaviors and is performed through putting on the new man. Growth in knowledge involves changes in thinking (repentance) about who God is, who we are in relation to Him, what He wills for us, and the nature of reality in general. Growth in knowledge is performed through the renewing of the mind.

This is not rocket science. In fact Paul gives several examples to illustrate the mechanics of sanctification, but I will cite one: Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need (Eph. 4:28). If you are a converted thief, growth in holiness means you put off the old man and stop stealing. Growth in righteousness means you put on the new man and replace stealing with the honest earning of money. Notice, the Bible does not spend any time telling us how to stop stealing. Why? Because as a believer you do not need to be told how to stop stealing. Scripture assumes that as a regenerate child of God you have all the ability and ingenuity you need to stop stealing. You sin because you want to sin and choose to sin. No one twists your arm and drags you kicking and screaming into sin. If you are a born again thief you can stop stealing if you want to. If you are a drunk or a fornicator or a liar or a glutton you can stop if you want to with no instruction in how to stop. Your sinful habits are not diseases over which you are powerless. This doesn’t mean it will be easy; but do not be deceived by the wimpy non-Christian 12-step/disease/idiocy of the world. Do not call God a liar–He says you can stop (1 Cor. 10:13).

What about growth in knowledge, or the renewing of the mind? I believe this takes two forms. First there is the daily re-conditioning of our thinking through reading, study, meditation, hearing, and discussing the Word. Just like a daily shower a steady consistent exposure to the Word has a cleansing sanctifying effect (John 17:17). In addition to this there is the specific restructuring of fleshly thought patterns that accompany and justify sinful behavior. I believe this is hinted at in the example given above. The thief is told to stop stealing and start working. Why? So that he will be able to share with others in need. This is a purpose clause in Greek, and denotes the purpose of working instead of stealing. It gets at the root of what our work ethic and motive should be.

What are the thought patterns of a thief? Is he thinking of others? Well, usually no. He accustomed to easy money which he can lavish upon himself. Certainly he is not concerned for the hardship he is causing his victims. When the thief stops stealing and starts working he is to adopt a new way of thinking, one reflected in the statement of Jesus that it is more blessed to give than receive. When a man works hard to earn money to provide for the needs of his family, and he takes pride in being a responsible breadwinner, he is then thinking in a way that is a delight to the Lord. Can you see the difference in thinking between the thief and the hard-working provider? This kind of shift in thinking is at least part of what Paul is alluding to when he speaks of the renewing of the mind. Of course this concept is comprehensive, and includes theological indoctrination as well.

Finally, all this takes work (Phil. 2:12-13). There are no shortcuts. It takes daily consistent effort over the long haul.

I hope this short discussion will prove helpful and motivating to you as you seek to grow in the Lord. For more, see my video series on sanctification.

Today we will discuss the means of sanctification, also known as the means of grace. These are the resources or tools God has provided for us for use in our daily path of spiritual growth. We will look at these means of sanctification under three broad headings: up-reach, in-reach, and outreach.

Up-reach is the worship and glorifying of God. It is more an attitude than a mere activity. The Westminster Shorter Catechism declares that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. 1 Cor. 10:31 commands us to do everything to the glory of God–our words, thoughts, and deeds. The Bible does not present a narrow compartmentalized view that sees true worship only in the corporate singing of praise songs on Sunday morning. The best approach to worship is to see it as a lifestyle. God is present in all of life, and evidence of His presence is evident all around us and in us through general revelation in creation and conscience. Growth is cultivated more readily through a life of  worshipful recognition of God’s glory 24/7.

In-reach involves the up-building of ourselves and others. The Word of God, prayer, the indwelling Holy Spirit, fellowship, and the ordinances, are all means whereby we are strengthened and enabled to grow in conformity to the image of Christ. Many of these means are available for use in one’s private life, but the truth is that God has made His Church a primary custodian or steward of these forms of enabling. Therefore churches are under Divine obligation to offer sound Bible teaching and preaching, regular observance of the ordinances,  and real opportunity for corporate prayer and small group fellowship. All must be Christ-centered; and to Christ-centered means to be Bible-centered (John 17:17).

Outreach involves sharing your life as well as the gospel message with those around you who do not know the Savior. It means living an honest and upright life in the community and workplace. It means being able to sincerely share the testimony of what Christ has done in your life. It also means knowing how to explain to an unbeliever the message of salvation. Some are more gifted in evangelism than others, of course. But to some degree we are all ambassadors for Christ. Seeing ourselves in this light and acting upon it can be a source of joy and growth in Christ.

So I suppose if I could offer one word of encouragement to anyone wanting to grow more in the process of sanctification it would be to plug into a church where the above means are available. In that context you will be blessed and be a blessing.

Sunday at the little church I attend one of the elders filled the pulpit  in the pastor’s absence and spoke on Ephesians 4:15: “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ.” He exhorted the believers to make it their goal in the coming year to put this verse into practice and discussed some of the areas of the Christian life where work might be focused, such as in the Word, prayer, fellowship, outreach, worship.

I was very challenged by this. As a father of six children I have witnessed their natural growth in the physical, mental, emotional, and social realms. When I think about growing spiritually in all aspects I immediately see that, albeit a worthy aspiration, it is definitely a tall order to fill. But I think our brother was right in reminding us that spiritual growth is more than a Sunday morning exercise, or something that occurs only in that small corner of our lives where we pray and read the Word. Comprehensive spiritual growth reaches into our private thought lives, our financial dealings, our parenting, our eating habits, our politics, our work. No area of life is untouched when genuine spiritual growth is happening. Everything is fair game for the Holy Spirit.

Or should be.

We also looked at the Ephesians text collectively: as a body of believers we are to grow up together in all aspects into Christ. Ephesians 4:15 is something like a theme verse of this particular church, and so the first Sunday of the year seemed like a fitting time to remind the fellowship of the need for holistic growth. Not only that: Paul was clearly referring to the whole body in the context. All the members of the body are equally vital to the growth of the whole, and each one must be nurtured and equipped to perform it’s individual function.

There are various disorders in the physical realm where one part of the body is deformed or does not grow properly. If one leg grows faster than the other, walking is impaired. If one eye is lazy, depth perception is hindered. If the brain grows faster than the skull, rare autism disorders can result. I know a man who lost an arm in an accident, and believe me, God designed us to function with both arms. Once I had gout in my big toes and realized just how important these two appendages are in terms of balance. My friends who are hearing impaired illustrate what a blessing two healthy ears are in terms of meaningful communication with others. The list could go on.

In this individualized world of compartmentalized lives and private households, we must get back to the biblical truth of genuine Christian community and fellowship. I know it goes against the grain of our cultural conditioning; but the truth is the truth. You cannot live in a cozy little cubicle with Jesus, isolated and independent from other believers– whom you need and who need you– and grow up in all aspects into Christ. Growth can be messy, and it takes work. But it is worth it.

Like I always say, the Christian life is a battle. You get out of it what you put into it. No pain no gain.