» This came to me second or third-hand, so I may not be getting it quite right. After the sermon Sunday there were questions about my describing Sanctification as “sinning less.” If the concern is that Sanctification is much more than that then, fair enough, “sinning less” doesn’t really cover it. So, herewith something a little more comprehensive.
» Sampling a cross-section of traditions (including Reformed), Sanctification is usually described as having two parts. I’ll call these (following others) Definitive Sanctification and Progressive Sanctification. In both of these, keep in mind that the word “sanctified” has roots in the Old Testament and is very close to “being made holy,” and so carries the idea of being set apart from (typically) that which is “unclean.”
» Definitive Sanctification is described in Scripture as having more a moral than a judicial character, and so is distinguished from Justification. Nevertheless, it is the act of God setting us apart for himself, placing us among his “holy people,” transferring us from the kingdom of darkness, delivering us from our bondage to sin. While all this is true, Sanctification is also progressive, and encompasses the idea of gradual growth in holiness and righteousness (2 Cor 7:1; 2 Pet 3:18; Eph 4:15). Definitive Sanctification is a break from our sinful past, but it does not make us sinlessly perfect (John Frame). There is still a work that is being done, and in which we participate (this is the divine-human “concursus” of Php 2:13 and Rom 12:2 where Paul uses verb forms that are both passive and imperative).
» So I completely agree, “sinning less” is a gross oversimplification of the doctrine of Sanctification. But it remains true that the work of growing in grace and conformity to the image of the Creator (Col 3:10) and Christ (Rom 8:29) means, inevitably, sinning less. Christ was sinless, we are not: if we are in the process of becoming more like him, we are necessarily sinning less.
» In other words, God does not change only our moral condition but our moral behavior. This is what Paul is after in his “put off—put on” passages, especially with the preface of Colossians 3:1-4: our changed identity leads to changed behavior. We’re less angry, less greedy, less sexually immoral, and so on.
» Feel free to push back on this post if you have questions or concerns. An advantage to 25 years in ministry is a lost faith in my own infallibility! Enjoy the sun. It’s a gift from God — the best May I can remember.