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Abundant Life in the Son: A Study of Salvation

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Paul adds that our Lord
gave ministry gifts to the church so that believers may be “built up” and
“grow up” and become spiritually mature (Ephesians 4:12–16). Since
progressive sanctification is an ongoing work, there are degrees: one
person may be more spiritually mature—sanctified—than another.

Let’s consider examples of each aspect of sanctification. Note first
some examples of progressive sanctification. Romans 8:13 represents
the ongoing Christian life: believers through the power of the Holy
Spirit “put to death the misdeeds of the body.” Romans 12:2 indicates
this same struggle as one is transformed daily and offers his or her
body and mind as a living sacrifice to God. We are being renewed
daily (2 Corinthians 4:16), and we are being transformed (changed
continually) with ever-increasing glory into the likeness of our Lord
(2 Corinthians 3:18; 7:1).

Paul stated how believers should approach this ongoing struggle: “Put to
death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality,
impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed…. But now you must rid yourselves of all
such things as these…since you have taken off the old self” (Colossians 3:5–9).
He concluded by noting the progressive aspect of sanctification: believers have
“put on the new self, which is being renewed” (v. 10).

Examples of positional sanctification include 1 Corinthians 1:2,
which shows believers’ position in Christ Jesus: they are viewed as
“holy.” Paul viewed these Corinthians, with all their past (and current)
sins, as sanctified “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit
of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). The apostle indicated to the Ephesian
believers that because of positional sanctification they were elevated to
occupy a place in the heavenly realms with their Lord (Ephesians 2:1–6).
Paul told Colossian believers that in terms of their old self they died and
now occupied an exalted position in Christ (Colossians 3:3–4).

Positional sanctification is a position that God has provided in Christ
for those who are born again. It is not an experience we are encouraged
to seek after our conversion; it is part of the conversion experience.

Two Scripture portions present the complete biblical position on
positional and progressive sanctification. In the first (1 Corinthians 6:9–20),

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