Ep 903 – Sanctification - Romans 13:14

One of the major debates concerning our sanctification revolves around roles and responsibilities. Who is ultimately responsible for your sanctification or growth in Christlikeness? Is it all up to God? Does it all fall on your shoulders? Or is it some combination of the two? As you read the New Testament, especially the letters of Paul, you can’t help but sense that we have a significant part to play in our sanctification. After all, he uses imperative statements like, “put on…”, “put off…”, and “grow up…” He commands us to “strive…for holiness.” So, it sure sounds like we have our work cut out for us. But are these commands meant to tell us we are somehow insufficient? Is Paul suggesting that our sanctification is incomplete and our quotient of righteousness somehow lacking? No, Paul is not telling us to fill up what is missing, but to live out what is ours in full.