The Doctrine of Sanctification in 2LBCF 13

Good morning, if you aren’t familiar with me, my name is Hunter Strength and I serve as the minister of youth here at Beacon. And if you’re wondering why I am in here, it’s because Matt Noonan is in Florida for vacation and I was recruited to teach what I believe is the final lesson in the 2LBCF for this summer term. Due to me teaching my own class on Sundays, I am unfamiliar with the way Matt operates this class, so forgive me if I do something different than what has been done here throughout the summer.

With that said, today we will be looking at chapter 13 in the 2nd London Baptist Confession which is concerning the topic of sanctification. Now, just at the outset, I want to ask for a show of hands here. How many of you would say that the doctrine of sanctification is simply put, the reality of becoming more like Christ throughout your Christian life?

Okay, what if I told you that that’s only half of it and that is exactly what we will find as we examine the confession together this morning.

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The Doctrine of Definitive Sanctification

“They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection...”

The doctrine of definitive sanctification is the decisive, once for all act, wherein we are separated from the dominion of sin and are consecrated to God.

All who are partakers of Christ receive all of His benefits.

“They who are united to Christ...”

Now, it is not uncommon for us to hear of people claiming to have called upon Jesus years ago for salvation that have barely thought of Him since. But the reality is that for those of us who are saved, meaning we have been forgiven of our sins and the righteousness of Christ is added unto us and we are now seen as righteous. We have the right to receive and will receive, all of the blessings that He purchased with His blood. Among these is justification, sanctification, and glorification.

To put it simply, there is no such thing as a believer who isn’t being sanctified. It is their birthright that God ensures they will receive. And, just as I said, among these blessing is sanctification which also entails the definitive sanctification. But is this just a thought? Or is it seen in the Bible?

Definitive Sanctification in the New Testament

“Having a new heart and a new spirited created in them through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection.”

Phil. 1:1 “1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi...”

1 Cor. 6:11 “11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

1 Peter 1:2 “2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

2 Thess. 2:13 “13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,” (Notice how Paul intentionally places sanctification before belief?)

A Description of Definitive Sanctification in the Christian.

Romans 6:1-14

In this passage we find that Paul, after laying out the beauties of the gospel in chapters 2-5, anticipates an argument and the argument is, “Well, this is the case, then we can sin all we want.” To which Paul replies, “Absolutely not! How shall we who died [past tense] to sin, live any longer in it?” Notice, Paul isn’t saying, “We who are dying” but that we died at a moment in our past. In verses 3-10 he will go on to give an extended explanation that the believer died to sin in Christ and that, as symbolized in our baptism, we are to walk in this new life. This is definitive sanctification. We have died with Christ, and we have been raised with Christ (Jeffrey Smith, 2LBC, 242).

How this impacts our daily life is covered by Paul beginning in verse 11. This impact is what is more familiar to us and is called the doctrine of progressive sanctification and is what we usually consider when we hear the word sanctification.

The Doctrine of Progressive Sanctification

“...are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts of it are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

As seen in the NT

John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

1 Thess. 5:23 “23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The NT Pattern of Negative and Positive in Sanctification

Negative and Positive Romans 6:12-13 “12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Negative - Colossians 3:5 “5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Positive - Colossians 3:12 “12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy [DEFINITIVE SANCTIFICATION] and beloved, put on [PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION] tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;”

The Means of Progressive Sanctification

The Holy Spirit by the Scriptures.

John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

Proverbs 2:5-8 “5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.”

1 Cor. 2:14-16 “14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

Sanctification is not optional.

“Without which no man shall see the Lord”

Hebrews 12:14 “14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”

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“This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abides still some remnants of corruption in every part, wherefrom arises a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.”

Remaining Sin in the Believer

Romans 7:13-25

1 John 1:8-10 “8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

The Believer’s Internal Conflict

Just as Paul cried out, “O wretched man that I am!” So too do we, as we find ourselves drawn closer to Christ as we are made more aware of our sinfulness.

It is Luther who wrote, ““When Satan tells me I am a sinner he comforts me immeasurably, since Christ died for sinners.”

There will always be conflict within the heart of the believer concerning holiness and sin.

Romans 8:13 “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.”

Romans 6:12 “12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”

1 Timothy 6:12 “12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

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“In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word has prescribed to them.”

Concerning the Nature of Sanctification in the Christian Life

There will be set backs.

“Although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail...”

Consider the failings of the Patriarchs: Moses, David, etc. or of the Apostle Peter.

Yet it will not be thwarted.

“Through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome...”

This progress is characterized by:

“so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word has prescribed to them.”

Pursuing Holiness

As one who lives knowing that their loving heavenly Father sees their thought and deed and therefore lives desiring not to cause Him to frown upon them. Not as wrathful judge, but as Father.

Pressing on as Pilgrims

The beatific vision

Evangelical Obedience

Evangelical obedience is obedience growing out of faith in the gospel, as opposed to a legal obedience that is seeking to obtain salvation as a reward for our efforts” (Smith, 2LBF, 251)