R. Guyton, can you expound on your question some? I think faith is foundational but I’m not exactly sure of how you are seeking to reconcile it with what has been stated.

How does Faith play into this particular opinion?

Lisa, thanks for a great post.
The advice from others on santification (although well meaning) can be discouraging. Even though they are not touting sinless perfection they often are not clear in their explanation of how all this pans out in the Christian life: how sometimes it’s 2 steps foward and then 3 steps back.
I believe it remains a mystery for all of us (if we are honest) how we seek growth & God gives it according to his purpose & plan for each of us. Just as we can plant a garden , pull the weeds, fertalize properly , etc and yet two different gardens will not grow at the same level of success, so the Christian life and santification is much like this. I think our spirital teachers and leaders need to be more clear about this. The problem is that many of them haven’t as of yet figured this out and maybe are too proud or afraid to admit it.

This sermon (that I have highlighted here before), also touches on who sanctifies.

http://lightofthemaster.com/Sermons/Entries/2008/3/4__The_Holy_Spirit.html

As Luther said (rightly, I believe) “the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies.”

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…”

This puts the onus on God, where it rightly belongs ( I believe).

Thanks!

Lisa, I follow this blog from “afar”, meaning I am not enrolled in a formal seminary or institution of higher learning. However, let me hurry on to say that much of what I have read on this site has increased my desire in the pursuit of an oftentime elusive God. Having come to Christ somewhat comparatively late in life (mid 30′s), I “grew up” in the Pentecostal Holiness “way”. After 20+ years there, and 10+ years (out of the 20+) of waffling over staying there, I have departed the institutional PH, but definitely NOT the faith! You have struck the target dead on, I believe. So much of what is taught in the church today is separated from the reality of the gospel. They teach sanctification as a “second definite work of grace”, not actually having a clear cut Scriptural basis for such. The teaching is based on measuring this sanctification from a legalistic standard such as attendance, manifesting the gifts of the Spirit, outward appearance, basically conformity to man’s view of purity. This is an oxymoron within itself to the Scriptural declaration of God looking elsewhere to measure our sanctification “PROGRESS”. Bless you for this beautiful reflection on His Word!

Thanks Lisa, I enjoyed this post.

Lewis, scripture does point to our sanctification being a work of God. But, there is also a responsibility on our part to respond.

Curious, is that transforming process something we do or something God does?

Thank you, Lisa. Clear thinking and authenticity in one’s spiritual “race running” is always oxygen for me.

Pointed post!!