1Rom 7:18, 23; Mk 14:66–72; Gal 2:11–12; ²Heb 12:1; ³Isa 64:6; Ex 28:38

In our previous question, we learn that sanctification is "[not] in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection." This truth reflects the teaching of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2:12b-13—"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13). There are some preachers who insist that all Christians are saved once and for all, and it is Romish to speak of our salvation as being a process. But this is exactly what the apostle Paul is saying. The fact is the term salvation is really a rather vague term, which is used in Scripture and theology in numerous senses. There is indeed a sense in which we are already saved; but there is also a sense in which we are being saved, and will be saved. We are already saved in that we are justified; but we are being saved in that we are being sanctified; and we will be saved in that we will be glorified.

Our sanctification is as much a part of our salvation as our justification. And our sanctification is a lifelong process that remains imperfect throughout this life until it is perfected at our death.

This imperfection comes about because it pleases God to leave a remnant of corruption remaining in us. God, being sovereign could, of course, have made us perfectly sanctified at our justification. But He has not ordained it to be so. We do not know the reason, though some of us may attempt to speculate the rationale. But one thing we know is that God is perfectly wise, and He has ordained it to be so.

Our catechism speaks of this remaining corruption as "the remnants of sin." The Scripture, on the other hand, uses metaphors such as ‘flesh’ (Rom 7:18; Gal 5:17); ‘old man’ (Rom 6:6); ‘stony heart’ (Ezk 36:26), etc.

Because of the ambiguity of these metaphors, numerous errors in regard to sanctification have arisen. For example, there are those who think that since the Scripture sometimes contrast between flesh and spirit (e.g. John 3:6) to speak of the body and the soul, that the apostle Paul must necessarily be saying that the human body is the problem in our sanctification (see Gal 5:17 and Rom 7:18). But this is not the case. Rather, the term ‘flesh’ in the context of the doctrine of sanctification generally refers to the remnant of corruption in the whole nature of man comprising body and soul.

Similarly, the term ‘old man’ (Rom 6:6) and ‘new man’ (Eph 4:24) has given rise to the error that a regenerate man has two natures,—one newly implanted, and one old nature,—which are constantly at war with one another. Once again, this is not true. There is only one nature in us, but there are, as our catechism puts it, "remnants of sin abiding in every part of [us or of our nature]."

Because of this remnant of sin, our "best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God" (cf. Isa 64:6). Those who speak of the regenerate having two natures say that the new man has no sin, while the old man is always sinning. But then, whose work is it that is defiled? Is it the old man’s or new man’s? The fact is that we have one nature that is not yet perfected, not two natures.

Now, it is because of these "remnants of sin," that there are "perpetual lustings of the flesh against the Spirit." There is a constant war in our inner man. An unconverted man is at peace with sin, but at war with God. A converted man, on the other hand, is at peace with God, but at war with sin. (If you are at peace with sin or have no struggle with sin, you are either still dead in trespasses and sin, or you are severely backslidden). It is this war with sin that our catechism is referring to. We are fighting with the help of the Spirit of Christ. But sometimes God allows the remnant of corruption to rear its ugly head and to have victory so that we fall into temptation and sin.

And not only so, even when we do not fall into overt sin, this remnant of corruption does constantly hinder our "spiritual services" so that for example we get discouraged or weary, or we begin to lack zeal in our worship and service for the Lord; or our love for the Lord and His church may wax cold, and we may even go through the motion when using the means of grace. Every true believer will know this struggle very well.

But thank God that because Christ was crucified for us, our "our old man is crucified with him" (Rom 6:6) so that God does not hold our sin against us. And not only so but the Spirit of Christ is working in us "both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13), that we daily die unto sin and are prepared more and more for our eternal home. W

(A Welsh conversation, or sayings)