Which Term Should We Use?

In declaring biblical doctrine we should, as much as possible, use biblical terms. Certainly, there are terms that most properly declare specific doctrines, though the terms are not actually used in the Bible. For example, the Bible clearly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity (I John 5:7), though it never uses that term. However, there are some terms commonly used by men to set forth true Bible doctrines that may be easily misunderstood.

Some men use the term progressive sanctification to describe the believer's growth in grace. As the word sanctification is used in the New Testament it is not a progressive thing. To be sanctified is to be made holy. We are not made holy progressively! We are made holy by the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us in justification and by the righteous nature of Christ imparted to us in regeneration.

Rather than use the term progressive sanctification, which implies a gradually increasing holiness before God, I think it is much wiser and more biblical to talk about growing in grace. That is a biblical term (II Pet. 3:18). It is the responsibility of every believer to so exercise himself in spiritual things that he grows in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. See that you grow in faith, love, devotion, and submission to Christ. This spiritual growth is what Paul calls "perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Cor. 7:1). That is a good, biblical way of describing it! But never does the New Testament describe sanctification as a progressive work to be done by or in any way dependent upon us. Sanctification is the work of the Triune God.

1. God the Father set his elect apart to be holy in his eternal purpose of grace before the world was made (Jude 1).

2. God the Son made his people legally and judicially holy by his death as their Substitute at Calvary (Heb. 10:10, 14).

3. God the Holy Spirit makes every chosen, redeemed sinner holy in regeneration by giving him a holy nature (I John 3:9).

Don Fortner