One of the frequently omitted realities about sanctification is that it is a process. No one is sanctified instantly, like a cheap pudding, or even fast, like an inexpensive hamburger. Sanctification takes time. In fact, it is part of a believer’s life every day until he is finally glorified through his death. In other words, no one is ever glorified fully and completely on this earth.
This is part of Paul’s emphasis when he writes about attitudes that the believer is to put on in place of ungodly attitudes: “be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving…” (Eph. 4:32). The verb that begins that clause is not the simple helping verb “be,” but is the imperatival form of the word that means “become.” In that sense, the word might be translated “be becoming” to capture a fuller sense of what Paul is saying. He is emphasizing the reality that sanctification is a life-long, ongoing process, and the believer is to be ever in the process of growing in Christlikeness. He is always to be becoming like Christ.
Now you might wonder, “wouldn’t it be more effective if God simply sanctified us at once so that we could be more effective in our ministries for Him on earth?” Three reasons why immediate sanctification is not for our good and the lengthy process of ongoing sanctification is for our good come to mind:
- Ongoing sanctification keeps us humble. Were we to be immediately sanctified, we would be strongly tempted to echo the “I wills” of Satan and assume that we are God or worthy or supplanting God. Ongoing sanctification makes us realize day by day that we are not God and that we must ever come to Him for help. Just as our need for sleep reminds us daily that we are not God, so our incomplete sanctification reminds us that we are not God.
- Ongoing sanctification keeps us dependent. Because we are not self-sufficient, every day we are reminded that we must rely on the Lord for our maturity. He is self-sufficient and we are not. So we seek wisdom from Him and His Word and not from ourselves and our own consciences. We seek forgiveness from Him. We seek strength and courage and hope from Him. We rely on Him for our growth and maturity on Him every day.
- Ongoing sanctification reveals God’s grace in ways that instant sanctification cannot. Because we are not yet glorified, every day we need the grace of God’s compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness and love. Every day we find the Lord to be both faithful to Himself and faithful to His needy followers. So every day — wonder of wonders! — the believer receives just grace he needs. Because we are still growing in sanctification, we have opportunity to see this grace in fresh and new ways each day.
So sanctification is a process — and it is a divinely wise and gracious process designed for our good and so that God is glorified. The next time you are tempted to be discouraged about the tediousness and seeming slowness of your progress, remember to continue to “be becoming,” because God will be most glorified in you as you continue becoming like Him.
Words of Grace 