Sanctification and the Means of Grace

All the dust up about sanctification, the three uses of the law in reformed theology, and the distinction between law and gospel involving Tullian Tchividjian and members of the Gospel Coalition reveals that controversy isn’t easily diffused. The blog on Ligionier posted the applicability of John Newton’s warnings about controversy here. We should all heed Newton’s advice about warily taking up controversies. Indeed such controversies rightly or wrongly entered upon affect the greater circle of Christians as well as non-Christians.

I am not attempting here to add any more light or heat to what has already been posted elsewhere. I do hope the men involved can find a way to further the discussion without making caricatures of other’s opinions and to be reconciled doctrinally or personally where needed.

I was struck about one thing in the issue of sanctification that was raised. What seems central to me and important for all believers is the rediscovery of the ordinary means of grace. We can talk about categories of law and definitions of terms but in the end the Christian believer is strengthened in his faith and one grows in his sanctification by the faithful use of the God ordained means of grace. These are not mere good works or activities that believers do as suggested by some.

Historically the “means of grace” are believed to be those things which God has given to strengthen the believer’s faith. The reformed churches have customarily considered the “means” as being comprised of the Word of God, the sacraments, and prayer. What is meant by this terminology is that God’s grace, his favor to us in Christ, is communicated by the Holy Spirit through these ordinary means. Ordinary they are. There is nothing fancy or spectacular about them. That is partly why they are ordinary. They are termed ordinary however because they are the ordinary or normal means whereby Christ communicates the benefits of his mediation (WLC # 154). Christ does this by the effective work of the Holy Spirit who applies the work of Christ to the believer. This application of the benefits of redemption purchased by Christ is through the Holy Spirit’s working faith in the believer and by the instrumentality of faith uniting the believer to Christ.

What seems apparent to me is that the work of God’s grace in sanctification is the result of the ongoing union with Christ by faith through God’s appointed means. We can talk about the lack of power of the law and the power of the gospel but the scriptures are plain. The power is the working of the Holy Spirit applying the word (law and gospel) to the believer’s heart and life. Grace isn’t a mystical thing but the unmerited favor of God to the believer in Christ. The power is the recreative and redemptive power of God wrought by the Holy Spirit upon the heart and life of one through faith. The ordinary means are indispensible because they are the ordinary channels of God’s grace to us.

If we want to grow in grace we need to use the means of grace to strengthen and grow in our union with Christ by faith. That is why faith is important and active in appropriating the means of grace. Whatever we may think about the above controversy all of us would agree that we must diligently apply the means of grace with faith. This is key to our spiritual growth. Too many believers have left the ordinary means in search of the “extra-ordinary.”

The Humility of Humility

I’ve been working through Philippians 2. The Apostle Paul writes strikingly and clearly about the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. And while this central truth of Christianity is important Paul uses it as an encouragement for our lives as believers. In other words, Paul wants us to understand and to live out the reality of our union with Jesus Christ that is effected through faith alone. So what does union with Christ practically look like?  In one word, humility.

Humility seems easier when we are faced with the accolades of others and we feel uncomfortable about the attention. We can shy away from public adulation though some of us tend to inwardly like it. Humility seems possible when we are called to perform some service that is needful but perhaps “below our pay grade.” Christians seem to quickly embrace service because after all, we know that Jesus came to serve others, us. We can “do” that. Humility is something we can resign ourselves to when things are not going our way and someone has to give in for the success of the project or ministry. That seems like the right thing to do.

Humility gets really hard when we have to, as Paul puts it, obey. Ouch! That is difficult especially for 21^st century evangelicals. That smacks of law and an unyielding God who makes Old Testament like demands. I mean, the Apostle Paul is the one who wrote, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Gal 5:1). We like the idea of liberty and freedom.

Paul also reminds us that not only was he a bond-servant of the Lord (Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10) but we are to present ourselves as slaves to righteousness and servants of God (Romans 6:19). Now to be sure Paul is writing in human terms but the seriousness of the real Lordship of Jesus Christ cannot be understated. What we are talking about is sanctification.

Note the humility in the believer’s obedience in Philippians 2. The believer is to be doing all things without grumbling and disputing. God calls us like Christ to sacrifice ourselves trusting in his good plan. Like Christ by faith we are to be obedient to the extreme. God doesn’t promise us an easy life. We are called to die to self and to the world. Humility means that we ought not grumble and complain as we so often are tempted to do even when we suffer and struggle. It isn’t about our rights but God’s glory and his purposes which are really for our good. Real humility starts with easy things and moves to the sacrifice of one’s self for Christ and his kingdom glory.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…being found in the appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even, the death of the cross.”

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

Books and Sanctification

Books! I find myself in agreement with the preacher of Ecclesiastes where he writes, “...Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.” This probably sounds strange coming from a pastor. I am always challenged by the number of books written and people asking me my opinions of them. I am a slow reader and it takes me much time to work through books.

I was recently asked my opinion on the book, “Extravagant Grace” by Barbara Duguid. This volume has received many good reviews. The inquirer had some questions and concerns. There are also a couple of reviews out there that raise some criticism. Even the OPC magazine, New Horizons posts a positive review in the February 2014 issue and a letter in May 2014 issue that offers a critique. So what did I think? Yep, I had to admit I hadn’t read the book.

So, my comments are not about Mrs. Duguid’s book, “Extravagant Grace” but about the topic raised by it and my questioner, Sanctification. I just want to make one point from the scriptures that I think is relevant to the discussion and perhaps of help to others.

In my own personal battle with sin a verse of scripture brought illumination and a sense of freedom, I Corinthians 1:30. Paul declares that Jesus Christ is the believer’s sanctification. In my struggle with learned habitual sins and my own weaknesses that are common to many (I Cor 10:13), I came to understand that my only hope is faith in Christ. This faith, just like the faith of justification is not a passive faith but an active trust. I could endeavor, plan, plot, promise, and try to live righteously with tears on my own all I wanted but I would fail. Surrender to my sin is the great temptation by the Tempter himself.

I read Paul in Romans 7:15-25 and I began to hope. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” I read again I Corinthians 1:30. I read again Ephesians 4:17-24. Who is the new man? It is Jesus Christ. How do I put him on? I put him on by faith. Sanctification is by faith, an active faith which engages the will, heart, and mind to live as one united to Jesus Christ by faith. I settle for nothing less than living by faith in the Son of God, fleeing to him for forgiveness, and being fed upon him by the word of God, the sacraments, and prayer.

Just like books, there is no end to sin. No they aren’t the same but I need sanctification in both areas. My hope in the battle with sin is in my union with Jesus Christ by faith. By faith I stand and live in the daily struggle against sin and for sanctification. That is my hope for you too.