The Works of Faith and Assurance
If we are justified by faith, why must we still do good works or works of righteousness? The article attempts to answer this question from the point of view of 2 Peter 2:5-10 and also includes aspects of the believer's attitude in a context of suffering.
The Essential: Sanctification
What is sanctification? Sanctification refers to the setting apart of Christians and making them holy.
The Essential: Holiness
What is holiness? Holiness can be defined in relation to God but also in relation to human beings. This article explains these two sides to holiness.
How We Are Sanctified and Live Penitently
Holiness and Sanctification
Christ our Sanctification
Emphasizing progressive sanctification has the potential to undermine positional sanctification. This article describes the relationship as viewing believers' sanctification, which is rooted in Christ, as ground to live a practically sanctified life.
Practising Holiness
The Importance of Holiness
Holiness is important for the Christian life because it is God's will that we should be holy. Holiness is the result of Christ and the Holy Sprit's work, is the fruit of true faith and love, is a form of witnessing for Christ, and provides comfort and prepares the believer for heaven.
Union With Christ and Sanctification
This article shows that justification and sanctification are graces that result from a Christian's union with Christ. Christ is the fountain of every blessing of salvation.
Cultivating Holiness
Daily Renewal
John Calvin and Christian Piety
Sanctification
This article looks at definitive sanctification and progressive sanctification, and sanctification according the image of God.
The Beginning of Our Sanctification
Sanctification
The Absence of the Sense of Sin: In Present-Day Religion
Sanctification in the Experience of God's Children
Sanctification or Works-Righteousness?
Six Things Every Christian Needs to Know about Sanctification
This article offers some helpful considerations of the doctrine of sanctification. It explains the two ways that the Bible speaks on the matter, and goes on to say that sanctification is hard, is an aspect of our union with Christ, is different for everyone, and is a community project.
Work Willingly To Despise Good Deeds is to Abandon the Bible
The Most Important Overlooked Doctrine?
What is the most important overlooked doctrine in Scripture? The author suggests that it is the doctrine of definitive sanctification. He defines what the doctrine teaches, explains why it has been overlooked, and concludes by discussing how it should affect our lives.
Sanctification: Monergistic or Synergistic?
In response to the question whether sanctification is a work of God alone or of God and man together, the author answers: neither! He explains that we work out what God works in—yet all the while, it is his power at work.
What Are Good Works?
Good works are the fruits of salvation done for God’s glory. This article explains this statement.
God’s Glorious Work of Sanctification
Sanctification is God’s work. This article discusses the relationship between sanctification and justification, and sanctification and glorification.
Created unto Good Works
This article explains that good works are divinely ordained and necessary in the Christian life.
The Freedom We Enjoy in Our Nation
What is freedom? True and real freedom is freedom from the power of sin. This article argues that this is what God gives us through sanctification. The struggle between the new man and old man is explained, as is the comfort the believer has in knowing that he will be totally free from the dominion of sin.
Justification and Good Works
In looking at the relationships between justification and good works, this article explains that good works are not a means to earn God’s favour. It then clarifies why we must still do good works.
Walking with God: Sanctification and the Gospel of Jesus
Understanding the biblical teaching on sanctification depends on how one understands the nature of the work of Christ. This article examines the relation between justification and sanctification and shows how different understandings flow to what the Christian life should be like. It argues that though justification and sanctification are distinct they must not be separated, as this is at the heart of understanding the call to holiness.
Old Man, New Man; Dead Man, True Man
What is the relationship between the believer and indwelling sin? This article explains via a discussion on the new man coming to life by virtue of union with Christ, and what this means for the old man, or sinful nature.
Sanctification
Sanctification
Sanctification is growth. This article explains by showing the relationship between sanctification and regeneration, and how regeneration leads to holiness.
Progressive Sanctification
Definitive Sanctification
Works Religion
Good Works in the Scheme of God’s Grace
How a Believer’s Good Works Are Acceptable to God
Sanctification: A New Life in Christ
This article shows that sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, who purifies us from the pollution of sin, restores us to the image of God, and enables us to do good works.
Basics of the Reformed Faith: Sanctification
This article shows that sanctification flows from a proper understanding of justification. It is due to our status in Christ that the fight against sin is possible.
The Way of Holiness
The way of holiness starts with conversion, when the Holy Spirit applies the promises of God to the believer.
Sanctification - Its Basis
Working from 1 Corinthians 1:2, 5, this article shows that Jesus as the Passover Lamb has freed us from the slavery of sin. As a result, our holiness, or sanctification, before God rests in the work of Christ.
The Gospel Includes Sanctification
This article shows how the gospel can be preached in such a way that a balance is kept between justification and sanctification, keeping both grounded in the gospel.
When the "Want To" and the "Ought To" Don't Match
What is the proper way to react when we realize our life as a disciple of Christ does not match the nature of our calling? This article is about sanctification.
The Solution is Closer than You Think: Three Ways of Seeing
Definitive and Progressive Sanctification
This article considers the difference between definitive sanctification and progressive sanctification.
What is a Holy Life?
What does it mean to live a holy life? True holiness is summed up in the command of Matthew 22:37-40.
John Wesley's Concept of Faith
Edwards on the Nature of True Religion
The Transforming Power of Feeling Mercy
This is a meditation on God's incredible mercy in contrast to what we deserve.
The Most Important Overlooked Doctrine (Part 2)
This article discusses the doctrine of positional sanctification, part of the biblical teaching on sanctification. It gives consideration to the notion that the Lord Jesus "learned obedience" in his life, and how Christ's sanctification becomes our sanctification by virtue of our union with Christ.
The Imperfections of Our Sanctification
This article discusses sanctification, both definitive and progressive. It critiques antinomianism and legalism, and shows the theological problems with perfectionism.
The Necessity of Good Works for Christians
Are good works necessary for Christians? This article shows the ways in which they are and are not necessary.
A Discourse of Mortification
This article inquires on the nature of mortification. It therefore explores such terms as sin, spiritual warfare, dying to sin, and dying to this world.
Sanctification
This article describes the process of sanctification. There are also counterfeits of sanctification, which include moral value and superstitious belief. The article then touches on why sanctification is necessary, the signs of true sanctification, encouragements for sanctification, and how to attain sanctification.
The Bible Doctrine of the Separated Life
What is the separated life? The author addresses this question by theological yet also practical reflections based on Scripture. Some of the important aspects of the separated life include separation from sin, from occasions of temptation to sin, and from the world. The author also addresses the matter of the use of things indifferent and the work of the Holy Spirit as it should be distinguished from the doctrines and commandments of men.
Sanctification
Sanctification in this article is defined as the work of God's grace by which the ones who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are freed from sin and built up in holiness. Further in this article, the author shows how sanctification is distinct from justification. The positions of non-Reformational theologies on the subject are also briefly presented, including the Roman view, the Mystical view, and the Wesleyan view.
Amandus Polanus on Sanctification / Regeneration
Charles Simeon: On the True Christian
B. B. Warfield and Lewis S. Chafer on Sanctification
B. B. Warfield and Lewis S. Chafer had divergent views on the nature of sanctification. This essay focuses on the influence of the historical background that shaped the rhetoric. Gleason argues that it will help for a better grasp of Warfield's more classic Reformed approach.
Acting the Miracle – Prelude to Acting the Miracle: Putting Sanctification in Its Place
In the first part of Chapter 1, Piper defines sanctification. In the next part he gives it a place in the order of salvation. He explains that sanctification has to do with being and becoming holy and this is nothing less than a sharing in the holiness of God.
Acting the Miracle – The Search for Sanctification's Holy Grail
What is a biblical understanding of sanctification? The author explains that Scripture talks about sanctification in two different ways, definitive sanctification and progressive sanctification. He further warns against cheap slogans that communicate unhelpful and even misleading understandings of sanctification. He continues with a discussion of the centrality of union with Christ in believers’ sanctification.