All those who are united to Christ and justified through his righteousness are also sanctified. They receive virtue from his death, and from his resurrection, that they may be mortified to sin, and quickened to righteousness.1 Their sanctification is personal and real, not imputative.2 The word and the Spirit of God dwell in them;3 the dominion of the whole body of sin has been destroyed; their several lusts are mortified and weakened from day to day;4 and every grace is strengthened for every holy exercise; for ‘without holiness no man shall see the Lord.’5 Sanctification is carried on throughout the whole man, yet is imperfect in this life, by reason of the corruption that also remains in every part.6 Hence arises the continual warfare in the saints between the flesh and the spirit.7 Though the warfare continues and corruption is exceeding strong, and the saints are oftentimes sorely wounded, yet through the intercession of Christ on their behalf, and the renewal of strength from the Spirit of grace, the regenerate nature is strengthened until it overcomes.8 They grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God; the good work begun in them will be finished.9 Then shall they be without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.10
1 1 Cor. 6:11; Acts 20:32; Rom. 6:4, 6. 2 Heb. 12:14; 2 Cor. 7:1; Gal. 5:24; Rom. 8:13; 1 Peter 1:15-16. 3 John 17:17; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 3:16-19; 5:26. 4 Rom. 6:6, 14; 8:13; Col. 3:2-3, 5; 1 Peter 4:2. 5 Psa. 51:6-10; 1 Peter 2:2; Eph. 4:24. 6 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 6:13; 7:18, 23; 1 John 1:8: Phil. 3:12. 7 1 Peter 2:11; Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:23; James 1:14. 8 Rom. 6:14; 1 John 5:4; 2 Peter 1:4-8; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 12:1-2. 9 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; 7:1; Prov. 4:18; Phil. 1:6. 10 Eph. 1:4; 5:26-27; Rev. 7:14.
