Part 2
By Nick Bibile
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:13–14
There was once a poor man
in a church who deeply desired to become a missionary. The pastor
examined him and asked him to define justification, and the man
answered correctly. Then he was asked, “What is sanctification?”
He replied simply,
“Sanctification, sir, is a
God-possessed soul.”
That answer captures something profound.
Last time, we considered the negative side of sanctification—the believer’s “No” to sin. When a person is truly born again, there is a growing hatred for sin. Sanctification involves denying the passions of the flesh, putting to death cherished sins, and turning away from the world.
But sanctification does not stop there.
Sanctification is not only turning from sin—it is turning toward God. It is an onward and upward movement of the soul. It is saying “Yes” to holiness, righteousness, and godliness.
“[Grace] trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” — Titus 2:12
This is the full
picture:
No to ungodliness. Yes to holiness.
Jonathan Edwards, speaking of revival, observed two immediate effects in those truly awakened:
They abandoned sinful practices
They became earnest in spiritual disciplines—prayer, Scripture, meditation, and fellowship
Real conversion always produces visible change.
So we must ask:
Can a true Christian remain unchanged?
Is there such a thing as a “carnal Christian” with no growth?
Is sanctification our work, or the Spirit’s work?
Scripture is clear:
“Abide in me… He that abideth in me… bringeth forth much fruit.” — John 15:5–6
A fruitless Christian is a contradiction. Growth is not optional—it is evidence of life.
Sanctification can be compared to a living tree.
A tree does not grow instantly—but it must grow if it is alive.
The seed must fall into
good soil—a new heart (Ezekiel 17:8; Luke
8:8).
True believers hear the Word and obey it.
For growth to begin, there must be death.
“Put off… the old man, which is corrupt…” — Ephesians 4:22
The old nature is not completely eradicated in this life, but it must be crucified daily.
The tree grows:
Downward in humility
Upward in holiness
Humility deepens the roots. Holiness lifts the life.
“Abide in me…” — John 15:4
Without water, the tree dies.
Christ is the living water, and the Holy Spirit continually nourishes the believer.
“Rooted and built up in him…” — Colossians 2:7
“Desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” — 1 Peter 2:2
Trials, hardships, and even falls are part of growth.
The believer’s progress is not always steady—but it is real.
There are:
Valleys and mountains
Weakness and restoration
Struggles and victories
But through it all, God preserves His people.
“Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” — John 6:37
There is no biblical support for a “second blessing” that divides Christians into spiritual elites and carnal believers.
All believers struggle with the flesh—but all true believers are also growing.
Some say, “Let go and let God.” That is only half true—and dangerously misleading.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” — Philippians 2:12
This does not mean we earn
salvation—it is a gift.
But it does mean active
participation in sanctification.
Verse 13 balances it:
“For it is God which worketh in you…”
So which is it?
God works. And we work.
God supplies the power
We apply the effort
This is not passive—it is spiritual labor.
Sanctification is not self-made holiness.
Our righteousness, apart from Christ, is worthless. True holiness produces humility—not pride.
As one humble believer said
when asked about his holiness:
“Yes, but I never had
any to boast of.”
Sanctification is lived out with seriousness.
A trembling at sin
A vigilance against temptation
A concern when we grow cold
This is not legalism—it is reverent awareness of God.
Sanctification is not a formula. It is not instant. It is not easy.
It is:
Lifelong
Costly
Disciplined
But it is also certain for the true believer.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling.” — 2 Timothy 1:9
The goal of sanctification is simple:
To be like Christ.
Holiness is not optional—it is essential.
“Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.”
Holiness is the visible evidence of salvation.
There is a growing danger
today:
Strong doctrine without holy living.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon warned:
“My longing is that the churches may be holy… I grieve to see so much worldliness…”
He also said:
“The greatest power we can get over our fellowmen is the power which comes from consecration and holiness.”
Likewise, George Whitefield declared:
“I did not come here to tickle you, but to speak to your soul.”
The church today must recover this seriousness.
An unholy church is:
Useless to God
Powerless before the world
Holiness is not misery—it is joy.
Holiness is our pleasure
Purity is our delight
Good works do not save us—but they prove we are saved.
“Chosen… that we should be holy…” — Ephesians 1:4
Spurgeon answered the question, “How do you know you are chosen?”
“If he desires holiness… he is chosen already.”
So ask yourself:
Do you desire holiness?
Do you long for God?
Jonathan Edwards spoke of a burning desire for holiness:
“There is a holy breathing and panting after the Spirit of God…”
This desire is as natural to the new nature as breathing is to life.
At the fall, the image of
God in man was shattered.
At the new birth, it is restored—and
in sanctification, it is renewed.
Where once there was enmity, now there is communion.
Sanctification is onward and upward.
Not perfect—but progressing
Not effortless—but empowered
Not optional—but essential
Press on. Grow up. Pursue holiness.
For in the end, the believer will stand before the King of Glory, fully conformed to His image.
And what began as a seed will be perfected in eternal glory.