The general ignorance of biblical theology these days have created great misunderstanding about the necessity and nature of sanctification. J.C. Ryle’s chapter on Sanctification is a powerhouse which I’ll need 3 posts to cover with any integrity. After 2 chapters, I’m wondering why I was so foolish as to have never read this book in 20 years of Christian living. Perhaps it was my fear, that I would have to face some facts I don’t want to have to face. There are still sins, or inordinate desire for good things, that I need to put to death, and areas of obedience I need to put on. But Ryle’s treatment of this subject is first rate, and convicting to boot.
He begins with the assertion that justification, regeneration and sanctification are necessary for our salvation. No one is truly a Christian unless they have experienced the first 2 and are undergoing the third.
Some of you are going.. “duh?” but there are people do refuse the notion that sanctification is necessary to salvation. They think that though distinct, these 2 saving graces can be separated (this happens with some dispensational theologians like Ryrie & Shaefer). This is essentially a “Reformed Arminian” position- Arminian in all things except for a pale imitation of Preservation/Perseverence of the Saints viewed as “Once Saved, Always Saved” (think Charles Stanley, or Ryrie’s infamous unbelieving believer).
Some Reformed folks are so afraid of the notion of works in justification (which they should be) that they could be guilty of denying the doctrine of sanctification in the process. I think some of the guys from the Trinity Foundation are dancing on, if not over, this line.
In sanctification, Jesus “separates him from his natural love of sin and the world, puts a new principle in his heart, and makes him practially godly in life.” He further sums our salvation up this way: “The Lord Jesus has undertaken everything that His people’s souls require; not only to deliver them from the guilt of their sins by His atoning death, but from the dominion of their sins, by placing in their hearts the Holy Spirit; not only to justify them, but also to sanctify them.”
He then begins to define the exact nature of sanctification.
1. “Sanctification… is the invariable result of that vital union with Christ which true faith gives to a Christian.” Ryle focuses on the “in Christ” idea without lapsing into a passivity that is foreign to Scripture. Our election is “in Christ” or in union with him. All he has done, we too have done because of our spiritual union with him (Galatians 2:20 for instance). “The union with Christ which produces no effect on heart and life is a mere formal union, which is worthless before God.” This is counterfeit notion of this life-giving, life-transforming union with Christ.
2. Sanctification is a necessary “outcome and inseparable consequence of regeneration.” This is something to which John MacArthur would agree, but didn’t seem to find itself into The Gospel According to Jesus. As such, an otherwise fine book is hindered in its purpose of promoting gospel holiness.
3. “Sanctification … is the only certain evidence of that indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is essential to salvation.” The Spirit will be at work to produce fruit in our lives; he will be at work to prompt repentance and faith, as well as the putting to death of sin. John 3 talks about how the Spirit is like the wind (linguistically as well), he cannot be seen directly but only through the effects produced. Instead of moving trees and flying debris, it is the movement toward holiness.
4. “Sanctification is the only sure mark of God’s election.” There can be counterfeit faith, a faith that does not result in sanctification. So, we cannot point to faith alone, but a faith that is not alone- one that produces obedience by grace.
5. “Sanctification is a thing that will always be seen.” The tree will produce fruit. This does not mean that a Christian thinks all is well in their heart. Rather, “he can see in himself nothing but infirmity and defects.” The brighter the light, the more you can see the previously unnoticed spots and wrinkles. Truly holy people are humble, seeing themselves as struggling with sin and temptation, not as having arrived- because they have not. But they have made progress; progress that is observable to others.
6. “Sanctification is a thing for which every believer is responsible.” Philippians 2 is one of many places which talks about our responsibility before God (only we only fulfill because God works in us to will and act according to his purpose). We fulfill this responsibility only by grace, but fulfill it we must.
7. “Sanctification is a thing which admits of growth and degrees.” Unlike justification which is all or nothing (though we may grow in our understanding and appliction of it), sanctification is a process which sees progress. We become increasingly like Jesus. Or as Ryle says “they see more, and know more, and feel more, and do more, and repent more, and believe more, as they get on in spiritual life, and in proportion to the closeness of their walk with God.”
8. “Sanctification is a thing which depends greatly on a diligent use of Scriptural means.” We are to employ the means God has established. We are not left to our own devices to figure out how to do this. Afterall, 2 Timothy 3 tells us that Scripture is sufficient to equip us for every good work, training us in righteousness. Those means include “Bible-reading, private prayer, regular attendance on public worship, regular hearing of God’s Word, and regular reception of the Lord’s Supper.” I would add some things like regular confession of sin, tithing and fasting to name a few other means found in Scripture. A Christian expecting to grow in grace without diligently attending to the means of grace is like a farmer expecting a crop without weeding, watering and harvesting. Don’t think it is the mere use of these means that accomplishes sanctification. We must have faith, or these things meant to help us grow will harden our hearts through the deceitfulness of sin. They are not magic, but means by which grace is appropriated by FAITH.
Starting to understand why I have decided to have multiple posts on this chapter? It is great stuff, and lots of it.
9. “Sanctification is a thing which does not prevent a man having a great deal of inward spiritual conflict.” Often, when we experience inward spiritual conflict we begin to think we are not very sanctified. But this is an indication that the process is actually happening. The Spirit is striving against the flesh (Romans 6 & Galatians 5). We are struggling to take off and put on (Ephesians 4-5), much like my daughter struggles to take off and put on clothes (we had a battle this afternoon about her refusal to recognize the fact that shoes made for the right foot are not to go on the left foot). It is far easier for me to see the struggle as I struggle with her sinful rebellion, than the less-obvious (to me) manifestations of sin in my heart.
“A deep sense of that struggle, a vast amount of mental discomfort from it, are no proof that a man is not sanctified. Nay, rather, I believe they are healthy symptoms of our condition, and prove that we are not dead, but alive. … The heart of the best Christian, even at his best, is a field occupied by two rival camps, and the ‘companies of two armies’.”
10. “Sanctification is a thing which cannot justify a man, and yet it pleases God.” Bottom line: justification precedes, and provides the foundation for, sanctification. One cannot, and will not, be sanctified unless he or she is first justified. Roman Catholicism essentially reverses this order. The only righteousness that will satisfy the Father is that of Jesus. But as justified people (and adopted) even our feeble efforts in sanctification please the Father. I’m pleased not with the quality of my daughter’s efforts, but the efforts themselves. The reality of justification means that the sinfulness of our efforts have been forgiven, overlooked, because Jesus has died to remove the penalty and perfectly obeyed in our place.
11. “Sanctification is a thing which will be found absolutely necessary as a witness to our character in the great day of judgment.” It will be the proof that we really did believe in Jesus. “Without some evidence that our faith in Christ was real and genuine, we shall only rise again to be condemned.” The accusations of Roman Catholicism that justification leads to moral laxity are unfounded when we keep all of salvation in view. Truly, lively faith will produce obedience; a regenerate heart will produce faith and obedience; the indwelling Spirit will subdue our sin and enliven grace. Just because works will not, and cannot, justify us does not mean they are meaningless or unimportant.
12. “Sanctification is absolutely necessary, in order to train and prepare us for heaven.” It does not make much sense to say you want to go to heaven if you have no desire for holiness, but love sin instead. “No man can possibly be happy in a pace where he is not in his element, and where all around him is not congenial to his tastes, habits, and character.”
Ryle has thoroughly handled this subject. Next we’ll look at what sanctification is NOT.
Cavman Considers 
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