In Christendom there is a constant ongoing battle between it’s members. Christians love to argue about everything: denominations, politics, Scripture meanings; but one ongoing debate from the very beginning (Remember Peter and the Judaizers? Galatians 2) is whether or not the law of God still stands. At either end of the pendulum swing stands anti-nomians and pietists.
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An anti-nomian is one who, by definition, is against the law of God. We live in an age of grace and are not held accountable to the law anymore is the typical anti-nomian mantra.
A pietist is best thought of in light of the Jewish pharisee. Pietists are all about law and obedience to it, and you’re not a true Christian unless you follow the laws and regulations deemed appropriate by whatever standard, be it Scripture or otherwise.
This pendulum-swing of the Christian life is a part of a greater spiritual category known as sanctification.
Sanctification is defined as the act of being set apart, to be made holy, and is a benefit of our justification through the vicarious life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is a process that takes place over the remaining life of the believer.
What is the point of sanctification?
Many Christians, particularly those of the Calvinist and Reformed tradition, teach that sanctification is the Christian becoming more aware of their imperfection. It is ultimately proof of a person’s being a member of the elect and its purpose is the same purpose of all things – Soli Deo Gloria – for the glory of God alone.
While I don’t dispute that all things are for the glory of God, I don’t think this is a very satisfying explanation of God’s purpose in the sanctification of the believer.
Is it purely for the separation of the believer from the rest of the world? If so, what does that do? How does that benefit anyone.
Remember what Christ said is the greatest commandment? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36–40
Christ revealed the purpose of the Law to us when he commented on the third commandment: The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27. We see then that the law is for our benefit, and for the benefit of all mankind.
Sanctification is measured and comprised of our obedience unto good works: keeping the commandments, taking care of widows and orphans, feeding the hungry, loving your wife, honoring your husband, raising your children in the nurture and admonision of the Lord, doing an exemplary job, paying a fair wage, voting for the right candidate.
What I’m describing is the Christian vocation or Devine Calling. Our vocation then is the vehicle for our sanctification, and our sanctification is for the benefit of the whole world.
Is sanctification a means to an end?
God is a God of means. In the Devine Service on Sunday mornings, we receive the gifts of God. We receive Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins through the Word and the Sacraments. The Word and Sacraments are called Means of Grace, they are the means by which God gives us these gifts. God uses simple, humble things to give good things to His church, and He uses simple humble believers to give good things to the rest of the world.
While not to be put on the same level of Word and Sacrament, sanctification then can be seen as a means of common grace, or more properly, God’s mercy to the rest of the world. This can be seen in the multitude of Christian charities active in the world. There was a time when the church was the most active and responsive help to the poor, the downtrodden, widows and orphans, victims of natural disasters, etc.
Our personal sanctification then is not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the entire world. Understanding this frees you up to focus more on faith in what Christ did for you on the Cross, and less on whether you’re doing good works good enough. Sanctification and good works is a part of our Justification (specifically the fruit of it) and not something that you do, but is something that The Holy Spirit does.
This is what Forde meant when he said Sanctification is the art of getting used to our justification, and it is what Luther meant when he said God doesn’t need your good works, your neighbor does.
