153 – Progressive Sanctification

PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION

  § 153. The development and growth of the new man consists in the progressive enlightenment of the understanding 1 toward a more extensive and intensive knowledge of divine truth,2 a continued renewal of the will toward its original rectitude and energy for good,3 and an increasing sanctification of the appetites and affections toward their primeval purity.4

1. The development and growth of the new man consists in the progressive enlightenment of the understanding…

  Ephesians 1:17–18 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

  Colossians 1:9, 11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. (11) Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.

  II Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2. …toward a more extensive and intensive knowledge of divine truth,

  I Corinthians 1:5 That in everything ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.

  Ephesians 4:13–14 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

  Hebrews 5:12–14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

  Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.

  Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

3. …a continued renewal of the will toward its original rectitude and energy for good,

  Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

  Romans 7:15-16, 18-19, 21-22, 25 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the Law that it is good. (18–19) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (21–22) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the Law of God after the inward man. (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

  Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the Law, but under grace.

4. …and an increasing sanctification of the appetites and affections toward their primeval purity.

  I Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

  II Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure  heart.

  Galatians 5:16, 24 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. (24) And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

  Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

  Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

  Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil.

  John 15:10–11 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

  Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.