LESSON 23

Sanctification

1. What is sanctification?

It is that work of God whereby we are delivered from the dominion and pollution of sin and transformed according to the image of Christ.I Thessalonians 5:23

2. What is the relation between justification and sanctification?

Justification is the ground of our sanctification, so that the one can never be present without the other. Titus 2:14

3. What is the difference between the two?

Justification is a judicial act of God and frees us from the guilt of sin; sanctification is a spiritual-ethical operation of God in us and delivers us from sin’s pollution.

4. How does God perform this work in the believer?

By the Spirit of the exalted Christ, who cleanses us from all sin.II Thessalonians 2:13

5. Is the believer made perfectly holy in this life?

No, even the holiest of God’s children have only a small beginning of the new obedience. Isaiah 64:6; Philippians 3:12; Romans 7:18

6. How does sanctification manifest itself in the life of the believer?

The believer more and more hates and flees from sin, and begins to live according to the will of God in all good works. Lord’s Day 33

7. What are good works?

Only those that proceed from a true faith, are done in accordance with God’s law, and are directed to His glory. Romans 14:23

8. Must a Christian do good works?

Certainly, for good works are the purpose of his salvation, that God may be glorified in him; and without holiness it is impossible to see the Lord. Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 12:14

9. What is the relation between sanctification and preservation?

Those whom God sanctifies He preserves in holiness until their final salvation. John 10:27-29; I Peter 1:5

EXTRA WORK

1. Does sanctification have to do with original guilt, or with original pollution? Psalm 51:5

2. In James 2:14-16, what is said about the relation between faith and good works? Is it possible to have faith without good works?

3. Read Romans 6 and answer the following questions:

a. What objection is Paul answering here? (v. 1)

b. What is his answer to this objection? (v. 2)

c. What does it mean that sin no more reigns over us and has dominion over us? (vv. 17, 22)

d. What does it mean to be a servant of sin? What does it mean to be a servant of God? (vv. 17, 22)

4. Look up Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 5:19; and I Corinthians 10:31 and explain how each of these texts proves one of the points in the answer of question 7 above.