Sanctification as a Fruit of Salvation in Christianity
Sanctification, as a fruit of salvation, refers to the process by which believers are set apart for God's service and progressively transformed into His likeness [2]. It is a work of the Holy Spirit that brings the entire person under the influence of the new principles implanted during regeneration, carrying to perfection the work that began at that point [1]. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:22 that those freed from sin and made servants of God "have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life" [3].
This process involves more than mere moral reformation; it is a deep spiritual change [1]. While justification is a forensic act of God declaring believers righteous, sanctification is the ongoing work of making them righteous [4, 1]. All saints are considered to be in a state of sanctification [2].
Several agents are identified in the process of sanctification:
- God the Father God is actively involved in sanctifying believers [2].
- Christ Jesus Christ is central to sanctification, with believers being sanctified in Him and through His atonement [2].
- The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit plays a special role in carrying on this work, bringing about new life and purity [1, 5]. The Spirit expresses God's life within the believer, producing a good life [8, 6].
- The Word of God Sanctification is also effected through the Word of God [2].
Sanctification is intrinsically linked to salvation. Believers are "created anew in Christ Jesus" for the purpose of doing good works that God planned for them, indicating that good works are a result, not a cause, of salvation [6]. This new nature, given by God's Spirit, transforms the heart [8, 6]. The process involves stripping off the "old sinful nature" and putting on a "new nature" in Christ, allowing Him to guide one's life [7]. This transformation signifies a departure from a life of sin and death into a realm of life and purity [5]. The Church itself is made glorious through sanctification [2].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Romans “But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life. -- Romans 6:22”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justification — A forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; an”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”