Ever since the Fall, the human heart is bent on a theology of works-righteousness and thus the whole discussion of sanctification is one that is to be carefully studied by Christians. There is an inherent danger in our pursuit of holiness to slip down a performance-driven lifestyle, where it is our doing to God that determines our acceptance before God. Thus to make our justification before God depend on our sanctification is a grave error and one to which many have fallen in the history of the church. Over the years, many a systems of sanctification have been devised in the church for Christians to follow. However a vast majority are nothing but mere strivings of human flesh and in the final analysis, undermines the cardinal truth of our justification by grace alone in Christ alone. How do the two – justification and sanctification relate to each other? How can Evangelical Christians pursue holiness keeping the gospel and thereby Christ at the center?
Jerry Bridges, well-known Evangelical author has written a very informative and easy to read article on gospel-centered sanctification. First he explains, quite autobiographically, how he came to see that the gospel is not just for the conversion of unbelievers, but even for the growth of believers. Bridges then expounds key passages from Galatians and Romans and shows how the gospel believed every day is the only enduring motivation to pursue progressive sanctification. Sanctification is thus to live with gratitude, in the present reality of our justification in the gospel.
Avoiding the extremes of legalism and antinomianism, a gospel-centered approach to pursuing holiness, which as Bridges shows is the biblical teaching on growing in grace, is the only truly sin-mortifying, Christ-exalting and God-glorifying way to grow in holiness.
Gospel-Driven Sanctification | Read
