Sanctification

The following is an excerpt from my paper The Role of the Holy Spirit in Mission (available on Amazon Kindle):

The sanctification process, which follows the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is the work of the Holy Spirit.[1] In 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Paul is contrasting the difference between the believer’s old life with all of its sinfulness with his or her new life whereby the body of the believer becomes “a temple of the Holy Spirit.” Commenting on Titus 3:5, Philip H. Towner observes an “unqualified exclusion of human effort” in the sanctification process (cf. Rom 9:12; Eph 2:9).[2]

This sanctifying work of renewal and refinement of the Christian’s character enables the believer to “put to death the misdeeds of the body” and live a life that is pleasing to God (Rom 8:13). Those who are submissive to the Holy Spirit’s leading will develop the qualities of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). Richard N. Longenecker notes “the works of the flesh” which are accomplished by “human effort” stand in stark contrast to the “fruit of the Spirit” which are given “by God through [H]is Spirit as opposed to being effected through human activity.”[3] While the Holy Spirit’s conversion and sanctifying work do not require human effort, they do require obedience from the individual. This is why Paul commands the believers to choose the fruit of the Holy Spirit by not choosing to engage in sinful behaviors. As believers choose to trust and obey God’s word in the midst of their daily experiences, the Holy Spirit will empower them to stand firm in their faith and will grow them into maturity.

While the Holy Spirit is the divine agent of sanctification, he does use means. First and foremost, He uses the Word of God (John 15:3; 17:17; Acts 20:32; Ephesians 5:25, 26; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 1 Peter 2:2). The Spirit of God also uses the local church, other believers, other people, and even experiences. As we encounters experiences and other people, we are to hold tightly to God’s Word while prayerfully depending on the power of His Spirit to correctly discern His voice.

[1]1 Cor 6:11; 2 Th 2:13;Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:2.

[2]Philip H. Towner, The Letters of Timothy and Titus, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006), 779.

[3]Richard N. Longenecker, Galatians, Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 41 (Dallas: Word, 1990), 259.