The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Finishing What He Started."
Sanctification is a theological term familiar to most Christians. Generally speaking, the noun refers to the process believers go through to be made holy, that is, to become like Jesus (Ro 8:29). When that process is viewed in terms of holiness, we call it sanctification. When it is viewed in terms of development, we call it spiritual formation. When we view it in terms of training, we call it discipleship. Generally speaking, the verb to sanctify refers to setting something aside for sacred purposes. One theologian describes sanctification as follows: “The gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, involving our responsible participation, by which he delivers us as justified sinners from the pollution of sin, renews our entire nature according to the image of God, and enables us to live lives that are pleasing to him” (Anthony A. Hoekema, “Sanctification,” in Saved by Grace, 192, italics added). Another distinguishes sanctification from justification. He writes: “Unlike justification, sanctification is not an act of God declaring us righteous; rather, it is a continual process in the present by which God is making us righteous. Justification is the act by which God gets us out of sin (legally). Sanctification is the process by which God gets sin out of us (actually)” (Norman Geisler, Systematic Theology, vol. 3, Sin, Salvation, 237, italics added).
Sanctification is without doubt the work of God. Paul tells the Thessalonians, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (5:23-24). But more specifically, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. He is the primary agent in our sanctification. He is the one who carries on a continuing war with our sinful nature (Gal 5:17, 22-23) and provides the necessary power for overcoming temptation (1Co 10:13) and sin (Ro 8:12-14). But it is also the responsibility of his people. What we do really matters. Paul tells the Philippians, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (2:12-13). He works continuously; we must work continually.
The expression “let go and let God” is poor advice when it comes to living the Christian life, because it is at best a half-truth. One theologian calls it “a tragic distortion of the doctrine of sanctification” (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 754). Another writes, “The initiative in the process [of sanctification] is always God’s, and we would in fact do nothing without his initiative. However, that initiative is not something we are waiting upon. The ball is, as it were, in our court . . . The issue now concerns what we will do. The idea that we can do nothing is an unfortunate confusion, and those who sponsor it never practice it, thank goodness” (Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart, 82).
The book of 1 Thessalonians presents both sides of the sanctification coin in bookend passages. In 4:3, Paul writes: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified,” and in the same breath goes on to say, “that you should avoid sexual immorality.” But in 5:23, he writes: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through . . . The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
Central Message of the Text:
God will finish the job of sanctifying you completely, so that you will be blameless at the coming of Jesus Christ.
Family Talk:
Being a college student and working tends to take up a lot of my time. I imagine being a parent, working, and caring for your spouse is even more time consuming. Often when my schedule gets too busy, I start relying on myself to get through the million daily tasks when I should be turning to the Lord and giving all my worries and daily tasks to him. This week alone I have fallen so far away from my normal habit of opening my Bible, praying and talking with the Lord. I’ve become so consumed by my busy schedule and checking off all the boxes that I forget to submit myself to the Lord. I fail to invite him into my space and ask him to provide and intercede for me. I know very well how busy life can become, especially in this end-of-year season we’re in right now. We are told to sanctify ourselves and become blameless by the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be “set apart” for God's holy plan. It is his will for our lives to be sanctified in him, but am I doing that? Take inventory of your life today. Are you consumed with getting the kids out of school or going to sporting events and dance recitals? I encourage you to start your day submitting yourself to the Lord. Make that daily commitment to pursue spiritual growth and sanctification. In doing this you can share with your kids the goodness of God. Don’t let your busy life block you from what God has for your life and the opportunity to share the gospel with your kids.