Sanctification - the Different Views
A Sermon on the Different Views of Sanctification
Originally preached May 7, 1954
Scripture
Sermon Description
Every Christian still battles with sin. But how should Christians approach this issue? The doctrine of sanctification is filled with hope, and in this sermon on the different views of sanctification, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones guides the listener through the different views of this doctrine. Sanctification means to be set apart for God and His service, to be made holy. Though it doesn’t remove sin, it is the process by which the Holy Spirit removes the pollution of that sin and shifts desires from disobedience to God-honoring behavior. How long does sanctification take, and when in a person’s spiritual journey does it take place? Dr. Lloyd-Jones walks through the various perspectives and aids the believer in reaching a biblical understanding of the answers. Some Christians have asked, “Why does it matter to study a doctrine that doesn’t determine where someone will spend eternity?” Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains it is the Christian duty to search for the truth in all areas of life and study. Without knowing the truth, believers can become vulnerable to believing false doctrine and fall prey to heresies. Studying truth helps believers to avoid this, and it aids in growing them closer to Christ. Praise God that He does not abandon His children after saving them, but rather actively molds them into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
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Sanctification means to set apart for God and his service. It refers to both inanimate objects and people.
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Sanctification has two meanings:
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To set apart for God's service. This is a positional meaning and refers to being separated from the world.
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To make holy. This refers to an internal purification and change to become more like Christ. This is the common meaning.
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There are three main views of how sanctification happens:
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Perfectionist views: These teach some form of perfectionism in this life, whether through eradication of sin, perfect love, or not committing willful sin. They believe sanctification can be received in a moment.
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Counteraction: This view says sin remains but is counteracted by abiding in Christ. Sanctification starts as an experience and continues as a process of abiding.
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Progressive sanctification: This view says sanctification starts at regeneration and continues progressively throughout life until glorification. It is not received in a moment but is a lifelong process.
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We should examine these views dispassionately and with charity to determine the biblical view. We can learn from various views even if we don't fully accept them.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Sanctification: Key Questions and Answers
What is the definition of sanctification according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, sanctification is "that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which he delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to perform good works." He differentiates this from justification, explaining that while justification involves imputed righteousness (righteousness credited to our account), sanctification involves imparted righteousness (righteousness created and produced within us).
What are the two main meanings of sanctification that Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two main meanings: First, sanctification means "to set apart for God and for his service," separating from what is profane and devoting entirely to God. This is positional sanctification. Second, sanctification has an inward, ethical meaning - "to make holy," involving a work of purification and cleansing which makes believers increasingly conform to the image of Christ. The second meaning describes the process of being made holy rather than simply being regarded as holy.
What are the three main views of sanctification that Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines?
The three main views Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines are: 1. Perfectionist views - teachings that believe in some form of perfection attainable in this life, often through eradication of sin or perfect love (associated with John Wesley) 2. Counteraction views - teachings that sin remains but is counteracted by Christ's power when we abide in Him (associated with Keswick teaching and Evan Hopkins) 3. Progressive views - teaching that sanctification is a process beginning at regeneration and continuing throughout life, only being completed after death (associated with Bishop Ryle)
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe John Wesley's view of Christian perfection?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Wesley defined Christian perfection as the state where "the Christian is not committing willfully any known sin at any given moment." Wesley acknowledged that believers might still commit sins they're unaware of, but he emphasized a moment-by-moment perfection where one isn't willfully committing known sins. Wesley also described it as "perfect love" - loving God with one's whole being at that moment, even though this love might grow deeper later.
What distinguishes the progressive view of sanctification from other views?
The progressive view, which Dr. Lloyd-Jones appears to favor, differs from other views in that it doesn't describe sanctification as an experience received subsequent to justification. Instead, it teaches that sanctification starts at the moment of regeneration and continues throughout life, only being completed after death when "our bodies shall ultimately be glorified and delivered from corruption." This view sees sanctification as a lifelong process rather than a momentary experience or state.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe Christians should study different views of sanctification?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that while differing views on sanctification don't determine salvation, Christians should still carefully study Scripture to arrive at the most biblical understanding. He warns that saying "it doesn't matter what you believe" can lead to indifference about truth, opening the door to cults and making Christians vulnerable to plausible but erroneous teachings. He recommends reading various perspectives, saying he himself benefited from reading John Wesley's writings on holiness despite disagreeing with some points.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast sanctification with justification?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that justification deals with the guilt of sin while sanctification addresses the pollution and power of sin. In justification, righteousness is imputed (credited to our account) - "God justifies the ungodly" without waiting for them to become holy. In sanctification, righteousness is imparted - actually produced within the believer. He emphasizes this distinction between imputed and imparted righteousness as crucial for understanding these doctrines.
What illustration does Dr. Lloyd-Jones share about the counteraction view of sanctification?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares two illustrations used by Evan Hopkins to explain the counteraction view: The first is a poker that becomes red hot and malleable when in fire but returns to being cold and rigid when removed - illustrating how believers remain victorious over sin only while abiding in Christ. The second is a life belt that counteracts the law of gravity that would make a person sink in water - illustrating how Christ's power counteracts the law of sin as long as one remains in Him.
Great Biblical Doctrines
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.