Sanctification

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... (Romans 8)

There is a running debate within the Reformed wing of the Church about sanctification. I don't know much about that debate since I've decided that there are, for me, more important things to be thinking through. As best as I understand it, the debate is about whether sanctification is synergistic or monergistic. My blind guess is that one big issue here has to do with definitions.

One thing that I think all parties would agree to is that sanctification, the process by which Christians become more and more like Jesus, become more holy and less sinful, is inevitable for believers. In the verse above, Paul teaches that this is one of the purposes of God's predestination of the saints.

So, a Christian who is not becoming more holy is an impossibility. Sanctification, for a Christian, is inevitable. This has lots to say to people who claim to be Christian. They made a profession of faith at some point in the past. They can even remember the date. But has there been sanctification since then? If not, then how could that person be a Christian? Sanctification, for a Christian, is inevitable.

Having said something about the ditch on one side of the road I need to say something about the ditch on the other side. Sanctification, becoming like Jesus, is not first of all about a change in behavior. Sanctification is first of all about a change of heart. It's about being renewed in the inner person. And that, by definition, cannot be seen, at least not directly. It will evidence itself in changed habits, but that might take a while. With more and more people being so broken before they come to Jesus, there may be lots of change within before there will be much real change without. So, there is the need for careful balance here in understanding sanctification - and patience. 

This is something that we pastors need to carefully work through since we guide many souls.