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Sanctification: The Process of Salvation

you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you”
(Colossians 3:12–13).

Our old self was that disposition which ruled us with the capacity to
serve Satan, self, and sin. But the new self, which the Holy Spirit has
produced in us, gives us the capacity to serve God and people and stand
for what is right.

Sanctification involves putting to death the deeds of the old self, that
is, breaking the reign of sin (Romans 6:12; 8:13; Colossians 3:5) so that
we do not continue in sin. It also involves the principle of holy living that
was implanted at regeneration. Out of this spiritual experience flows a life
characterized by faith in Jesus Christ; a new walk distinguished by new
standards, goals, and motives; and a life that is sober, upright, and godly.

We might compare the ongoing process of spiritual growth to the sap
that rises in a tree. As the sap rises, it crowds off the dead leaves that
have stubbornly clung to the tree in spite of cold weather and raging
storms. In the same way, the Holy Spirit crowds out the imperfections,
earthly desires, and habits of the old self so that we may live dedicated
and committed to Christ.

The Meaning of Sanctification

The New Testament teaching on sanctification rests upon the
foundation of the work of Christ for and in us. This means that because
He elected, called, regenerated, justified, and adopted us, we respond
through the Spirit’s empowering with upright living. Sanctification is
closely related to all the doctrines of salvation. It is the logical result of
all of them.

Notice in Ephesians 2:8–10 the various doctrines we have considered:

• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”[election]
• “not by works,” [justification]
• “so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship,” [election]
• “created in Christ Jesus” [regeneration]
• “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
[foreordination]

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