Paul writes in Romans 5:8, “But God showed how much He loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.” This is the foundation of justifying grace—God’s act of making us right with Him through Jesus’ sacrifice. We are dead to sin and alive in Christ, justified by faith. But today we focus on another dimension: sanctifying grace.
Sanctifying grace is the ongoing process of being set apart for God, becoming more like Jesus day by day. Paul reminds us in Romans 6:11, “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, he says, do not let sin rule over you, for obedience to sin leads only to death.
The Reality of Sin
Sin is not a popular topic. We prefer not to be reminded of how far we fall short of God’s plan. Often, we point out the sins of others as if theirs are worse than ours. Dolly Parton’s lyric, “My mistakes are no worse than yours,” captures this truth. Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Even after receiving justifying grace, we still need God’s ongoing grace to live faithfully.
What we obey rules us. Obedience to sin leads to death, but obedience to God leads to abundant life. This life is not mere survival—it is freedom beginning now and lasting into eternity.
Grace Is Not License
Paul anticipates the question: should we sin more so that grace may abound? His answer is emphatic: “No!” Grace is not about personal freedom to do as we please. Theologian Rudolf Bultmann wrote, “Genuine freedom withstands the clamour and pressure of momentary motivations.” Harold Masback adds, “Freedom from obligation never leads to flourishing unless linked with freedom for a higher commitment.” The point of grace is not freedom for self-indulgence but sanctification through Christ.
What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification means being set apart for God’s glory. John Wesley often spoke of sanctification as “going on toward perfection.” He did not mean an impossible standard but a lifelong process of discipleship. To be perfected in grace is to grow more like Jesus—living as if He were beside us, shaping our words and actions.
Young people often accuse Christians of hypocrisy: “You talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.” Sanctification is about walking the walk. Paul asks in Romans 6:21, “What benefit did you reap from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!” Sanctification is not automatic; it happens gradually, sometimes moment by moment, as we choose to make Jesus the centre of our lives.
Transformation and Influence
When transformation takes root, it begins to change us from within and then, influences the world around us. Discipleship is not meant to be confined within church walls. One writer notes, “The point of discipleship is to influence the culture around us. We limit discipleship by segregating the secular from the sacred. We never take our faith public.” Christians are strategically placed in workplaces, communities, and society to impact others by living out their faith.
Your life can bring glory to God by the way you walk the walk. This influence is not achieved by human effort but by God’s grace. Sanctification is God’s work in us, shaping us into Christ’s likeness.
The Benefits of Sanctifying Grace
Paul concludes in Romans 6:22–23: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Sanctifying grace leads to holiness and eternal life. Eternal life is not just a future promise—it begins now. It is a free gift, not earned by effort but given through Christ. Each of us must choose: obey sin, which leads to death, or obey God, which leads to transformation and eternal life.
Blessings
Eric