Lesson #35—Sanctification: Work of God’s Grace

Shorter Catechism Q & A #35

Q. What is Sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

Justification and adoption are acts of God’s free grace, whereby our sins are forgiven and we become true children of God. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are moved and enabled by the Holy Spirit to deny ungodliness and live godly and righteous lives [Titus 2:11–12].

What does it mean?

The Larger Catechism teaches us that: “Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, yet they differ, in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ; in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof; in the former, sin is pardoned; in the other, it is subdued: the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation; the other is neither equal in all, nor in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection” [L. C. Q & A 77].

Discuss Sanctification as revealed in the following verses:

• 2 Thess. 2:13 [Spirit & Belief]
• Eph. 4:23–24 [renewed]
• Rom. 6:4–6 [from death to life]
• Rom. 8:1 [no condemnation].

What is our practice?

Remembering that we were delivered from sin, we desire the continued cleansing of the Spirit by the Word of God. We now have a new appreciation of the Spirit and seek his counsel and comfort. We desire to grow in our faith and walk, seeking God’s will in all our actions; our love towards God grows in his love toward us. “Grace is most beautiful when its light shines that others may see it”—Watson

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“Are all that are justified sanctified? Yes: for Jesus Christ is made both righteousness and sanctification, 1 Cor. 1:30. Is it necessary they should be so? Yes: for without holiness no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12:14. Did Christ die that they might be sanctified? Yes: for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified, John 17:19. And was this the intention of their election? Yes: he hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification, 2 Thess. 2:13. Is sanctification the work of God? Yes: we are sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1. Is it the work of the Spirit of God? Yes: it is sanctification of the Spirit, 1 Pet. 1:2. Is it a work of free grace? Yes: according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, Tit. 3:5. Is it a work wrought in us? Yes: for we are his workmanship, created unto good works, Eph. 2:10” (Matthew Henry)

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