Sanctification

[Carbon]

I'm glad we have a good crowd of reformed here. And if not reformed, also very knowledgeable.

My question is, is Sanctification Monergoistic or Synergistic?
Can you support your view with scripture?

I'm not presenting this as a debate. Just looking to learn and get sharpened.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron,
So one person sharpens another.


Personally, I believe Sanctification is Monergistic. For now, I'll just give John 17:15, 17 I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

 

[Deleted member 6]

I am too a believer in a monergistic sanctification.

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.[Philippians 2:13]

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

I'm glad we have a good crowd of reformed here. And if not reformed, also very knowledgeable.

My question is, is Sanctification Monergoistic or Synergistic?
Can you support your view with scripture?

I'm not presenting this as a debate. Just looking to learn and get sharpened.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron,
So one person sharpens another.


Personally, I believe Sanctification is Monergistic. For now, I'll just give John 17:15, 17 I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Y'all are going to drive me nuts. It's "monergistic". I suppose it could also be capitalized but synergistic isn't so...

I'm also of the opinion that sanctification is monergistic. But this also calls for deeper consideration. Certainly we are set aside by God for His own use ( this sanctification like the utensils in the temple ). Certainly we are told that we are being sanctified by scripture. But we are also told "Put to death" our old behaviors ( Colossians 3:5-11 ). But is that sanctification? Or something else worth delving into? I think there is some considerable confusion between sanctification and mortification.

Thoughts?

 

[Deleted member 6]

Y'all are going to drive me nuts. It's "monergistic". I suppose it could also be capitalized but synergistic isn't so...

I'm also of the opinion that sanctification is monergistic. But this also calls for deeper consideration. Certainly we are set aside by God for His own use ( this sanctification like the utensils in the temple ). Certainly we are told that we are being sanctified by scripture. But we are also told "Put to death" our old behaviors ( Colossians 3:5-11 ). But is that sanctification? Or something else worth delving into. I think there is some considerable confusion between sanctification and mortification.

Thoughts?

We are told we are to repent and believe in the gospel, and those who do are saved. Yet, it is God is gifts these to them so that they will be saved. Same with our sanctification. We are told to crucify the flesh(which is done in Christ), mortify the sin in our bodies, and as believers we do. Yet it is God who works within us to do these things.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

We are told we are to repent and believe in the gospel, and those who do are saved. Yet, it is God is gifts these to them so that they will be saved. Same with our sanctification. We are told to crucify the flesh(which is done in Christ), mortify the sin in our bodies, and as believers we do. Yet it is God who works within us to do these things.

I'm not speaking of soteriology here. Nor am I arguing under what Power we work. I'm speaking of Sanctification vs Mortification. Are they synonymous? I don't believe so. Ultimately all glory goes to God for both but we are involved in the work of it ( mortification ). Not for salvation's sake but for conformation to the image of our Savior.

Which brings to mind a similar conversation concerning the Indicative and the Imperative.

 

[ReverendRV]

When I voted "Unsure", I don't mean to say Sanctification isn't Monergistic; but I didn't see a "Both" option to click on...

RC Sproul said Sanctification is Synergistic, so I agree that 'in some sense' it's both...

 

[ReverendRV]

Y'all are going to drive me nuts. It's "monergistic". I suppose it could also be capitalized but synergistic isn't so...

I'm also of the opinion that sanctification is monergistic. But this also calls for deeper consideration. Certainly we are set aside by God for His own use ( this sanctification like the utensils in the temple ). Certainly we are told that we are being sanctified by scripture. But we are also told "Put to death" our old behaviors ( Colossians 3:5-11 ). But is that sanctification? Or something else worth delving into. I think there is some considerable confusion between sanctification and mortification.

Thoughts?

I agree...

I would say that perhaps the only aspect of Salvation which is %100 Monergistic, is Grace and Unconditional Election. Sproul said Sanctification is Synergistic. He would mean the Sanctification we Participate in; like the Perseverance of the Saints. Sproul wouldn't have meant that the Monergistic Sanctification of God "Setting us Apart" isn't Monergistic though...

Often in Theology, two ways of looking at things are Okay...

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

I agree...

I would say that perhaps the only aspect of Salvation which is %100 Monergistic, is Grace and Unconditional Election. Sproul said Sanctification is Synergistic. He would mean the Sanctification we Participate in; like the Perseverance of the Saints. Sproul wouldn't have meant that the Monergistic Sanctification of God "Setting us Apart" isn't Monergistic though...

Often in Theology, two ways of looking at things are Okay...

Which is why, I hope correctly, I make a distinction between Sanctification and Mortification.

 

[ReverendRV]

Which is why, I hope correctly, I make a distinction between Sanctification and Mortification.

This probably is the direction the Thread should take...

So go ahead

 

[atpollard]

Y'all are going to drive me nuts. It's "monergistic". I suppose it could also be capitalized but synergistic isn't so...

I'm also of the opinion that sanctification is monergistic. But this also calls for deeper consideration. Certainly we are set aside by God for His own use ( this sanctification like the utensils in the temple ). Certainly we are told that we are being sanctified by scripture. But we are also told "Put to death" our old behaviors ( Colossians 3:5-11 ). But is that sanctification? Or something else worth delving into. I think there is some considerable confusion between sanctification and mortification.

Thoughts?

For sure!
Until one clearly defines what "sanctification" one is talking about, one is talking into your hat.

• Sanctification: To be set apart.
• Sanctification: To be made more like Christ.

Them is two VERY different things. They are not unrelated (in fact they are hopelessly inter-tangled under monergism ... synergysm has more options available). However, they are not the same.

For me, I'm gonna stick with my "go to" answer of "Yes, both." Like the question about being saved in eternity past or in time ... it is a Yes, Both. Certainly God is the engine driving this train (Go Monergism and Soli Deo Gloria!). On the other hand ...

Philippians 2:13 [NLT] "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."

• YES ... God is "at work" and God is "giving".
• HOWEVER ... That does not negate the reality that the desire IS IN US and we ARE DOING what pleases Him.

Justification is 100% monergistic ... we were not even at the Cross to help or not help ... it wasn't an option even it we HAD something to contribute.
Sanctification (being chosen and set apart) was also beyond our control (100% monergism).
Sanctification (“working out our salvation with fear and trembling") is something we are ordained to walk in [Ephesians 2:10] and we are definitely "flying WITH a safety net" [Philippians 2:13] ... but like Paul, it is still WE who must run and finish the race. God just guarantees that we will. That sure sounds synergystic to me.

 

[Carbon]

Sanctification is a saving act of God by which he progressively delivers the justified from the power and pollution of sin, and at the same time causes them to become more and more Christ-like.

Ephesians 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Agree?

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

Sanctification is a saving act of God by which he progressively delivers the justified from the power and pollution of sin, and at the same time causes them to become more and more Christ-like.

Ephesians 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Agree?

I have reservations. Firstly I don't see Sanctification saving anyone at any point. The weakest of saints is still, in fact, a saint. Salvation is an all or nothing game.

That we are changed, conformed, over time to be more like Christ is something else. Second, as I have been trying to hammer out with y'all, I think that the term "Sanctification" is used with too broad a brush and covers stuff that really should have 2 words ( Sanctification and Mortification ).

 

[Eleanor]

I have reservations. Firstly I don't see Sanctification saving anyone at any point. The weakest of saints is still, in fact, a saint. Salvation is an all or nothing game.

That we are changed, conformed, over time to be more like Christ is something else. Second, as I have been trying to hammer out with y'all, I think that the term "Sanctification" is used with too broad a brush and covers stuff that really should have 2 words ( Sanctification and Mortification ).

"Holy," "sanctify" mean "to set apart," in this case, from sin, and to God.

That's sanctification, a daily walk.

 

[Carbon]

Sanctification is just as essential to salvation as justification. It's not enough that a sinner be acquitted of the guilt of sin and declared just. The sinner must also be freed from the penal consequence of sin, that is from the power and corruption of sin.

Or, in other words. The acquittal of God pronounced in justification must be actualized in the believer's life.
And that's exactly what God does in sanctification. When He progressively makes the justified sinner righteous by renewing his nature and removing the uncleanness of sin.

And though justification and sanctification are to be distinguished, they are never to be separated.

@Sereni-tea

Thoughts?

 

[Eleanor]

Sanctification is just as essential to salvation as justification. It's not enough that a sinner be acquitted of the guilt of sin and declared just. The sinner must also be freed from the penal consequence of sin, that is from the power and corruption of sin.

Or, in other words. The acquittal of God pronounced in justification must be actualized in the believer's life.
And that's exactly what God does in sanctification. When He progressively makes the justified sinner righteous by renewing his nature and removing the uncleanness of sin.

And though justification and sanctification are to be distinguished, they are never to be separated.

Is sanctification a process to be consciously engaged in through obedience in the Holy Spirit, or is it all a passive reception?

Or, are you still trying to sort that one out?

 

[Carbon]

I do not believe sanctification is a joint work with God and man, in which God and man cooperate, each doing a part of the work to make a person more and more holy. If that were the case, it could hardly be maintained that we are saved by grace alone.
And man could give himself some credit in salvation.

 

[Carbon]

If there is a work required from man, it is faith. XXIV of the Belgic Confession of Faith likewise stresses the importance of faith in connection with sanctification.
If you want to read it:

Article 24: Of man's Sanctification and Good Works.​

We believe that this true faith being wrought in man by the hearing of the Word of God, and the operation of the Holy Ghost, doth regenerate and make him a new man, causing him to live a new life, and freeing him from the bondage of sin. Therefore it is so far from being true, that this justifying faith makes men remiss in a pious and holy life, that on the contrary without it they would never do anything out of love to God, but only out of self-love or fear of damnation. Therefore it is impossible that this holy faith can be unfruitful in man: for we do not speak of a vain faith, but of such a faith, which is called in Scripture, a faith that worketh by love, which excites man to the practice of those works, which God has commanded in his Word. Which works, as they proceed from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable in the sight of God, forasmuch as they are all sanctified by his grace: howbeit they are of no account towards our justification. For it is by faith in Christ that we are justified, even before we do good works; otherwise they could not be good works, any more than the fruit of a tree can be good, before the tree itself is good. Therefore we do good works, but not to merit by them, (for what can they merit?) nay, we are beholden to God for the good works we do, and not he to us, since it is he that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Let us therefore attend to what is written: when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do. In the meantime, we do not deny that God rewards our good works, but it is through his grace that he crowns his gifts. Moreover, though we do good works, we do not found our salvation upon them; for we do no work but what is polluted by our flesh, and also punishable; and although we could perform such works, still the remembrance of one sin is sufficient to make God reject them. Thus then we would always be in doubt, tossed to and fro without any certainty, and our poor consciences continually vexed, if they relied not on the merits of the suffering and death of our Savior.


@Sereni-tea
@carl
@Ismael

Thoughts?

 

[Carbon]

Faith works through love and excites men to practice the works which God has commanded in His word.
See a connection?

EDIT} Faith causes men to live a new life and it frees him from the bondage of sin.

 

[Eleanor]

If there is a work required from man, it is faith. XXIV of the Belgic Confession of Faith likewise stresses the importance of faith in connection with sanctification.
If you want to read it:

Article 24: Of man's Sanctification and Good Works.​

We believe that this true faith being wrought in man by the hearing of the Word of God, and the operation of the Holy Ghost, doth regenerate and make him a new man, causing him to live a new life, and freeing him from the bondage of sin. Therefore it is so far from being true, that this justifying faith makes men remiss in a pious and holy life, that on the contrary without it they would never do anything out of love to God, but only out of self-love or fear of damnation. Therefore it is impossible that this holy faith can be unfruitful in man: for we do not speak of a vain faith, but of such a faith, which is called in Scripture, a faith that worketh by love, which excites man to the practice of those works, which God has commanded in his Word. Which works, as they proceed from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable in the sight of God, forasmuch as they are all sanctified by his grace: howbeit they are of no account towards our justification. For it is by faith in Christ that we are justified, even before we do good works; otherwise they could not be good works, any more than the fruit of a tree can be good, before the tree itself is good. Therefore we do good works, but not to merit by them, (for what can they merit?) nay, we are beholden to God for the good works we do, and not he to us, since it is he that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Let us therefore attend to what is written: when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do. In the meantime, we do not deny that God rewards our good works, but it is through his grace that he crowns his gifts. Moreover, though we do good works, we do not found our salvation upon them; for we do no work but what is polluted by our flesh, and also punishable; and although we could perform such works, still the remembrance of one sin is sufficient to make God reject them. Thus then we would always be in doubt, tossed to and fro without any certainty, and our poor consciences continually vexed, if they relied not on the merits of the suffering and death of our Savior.

More in this category:

Thanks! That is the answer.

 

[Carbon]

Faith works through love and excites men to practice the works which God has commanded in His word.
See a connection?

EDIT} Faith causes men to live a new life and it frees him from the bondage of sin.

I'm not alone in this.

Consider these guys.

Vos - calls faith the root of all Christian holiness.
Bavinck - declares that faith is par excellence the means of santification.
Berkhof - speaks of faith as the instrumental cause of sanctification, since it keeps us in touch with Christ, who is the source of our progressive sanctification.

Reminds me of John 15: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

We are progressively sanctified because we are attached to the vine. We bear fruit because we are attached to the vine, we do not do good works co-working with God, we do good works because the Spirit works in us. Renewing the soul and conforming us to the image of Christ. Jesus says: I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.