PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION PROGRESSIVE DECEPTION!
I hear men talk of becoming
less and less sinful and progressively holier from day to day. I hear men talk
about their "progressive sanctification" a great deal. But the more
they boast of their progressive holiness the more harsh, judgmental, and
mean-spirited they become toward their "lesser brethren". Their
doctrine is this: "God's children," they say, "grow in
righteousness and personal holiness until they are ripe for heaven." They
actually teach that glorification is the end result of their own progressive
attainments in "personal holiness". If their doctrine is true, if it
is possible for men to gradually become less sinful and more holy, then it is
possible for men, by diligence, self-denial, and mortification of the flesh, to
eventually attain sinless perfection in this life.
Such doctrine, of course, is contrary to Holy
Scripture (I John 1:8, 10). Any man who says that he is
without sin, even for a fleeting second, is deceived, the truth is not in him,
and he makes God a liar. And honesty compels me to acknowledge that this
doctrine of "progressive sanctification" is totally contrary to my
own experience. I have, I believe, over the past nineteen years, grown in
grace. My love for, faith in, and commitment to Christ has grown, increased,
and matured by the grace of God. But my sin has not diminished. My outward acts
of sin are more restricted and controlled than before; but the inward evil of
my flesh has not lessened. If anything, it is worse now than ever. With aching
heart, I confess my sin. Though I am redeemed, justified, and sanctified in
Christ, I am still a man in the flesh, and my flesh is full of sin. By painful
experience, I have learned that "I am carnal, sold under sin...For
I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing."
Christ alone is my Redemption. Christ alone is my Righteousness. Christ alone
is my Acceptance with God. And Christ alone is my Sanctification.