Growth In Sanctification Is Possible

We are bound to thank 

God always for you, 

brethren, as it is 

fitting because your

faith grows acceedingly,

and the love of every

one of you abounds 

towards each other.

2Thessalonians 1:3

     Would Paul say the very same things to us; that our love abounds as we grow in grace? Growth is possible, God will by the Holy Spirit aid us in our walk which has been determined by our growth in grace: there is reality in this growth. When Adam sinned and man was thrown into this world that is fallen causing all sorts of issues; i.e., cancer, palsies, accidents due to wrongful desires, we then must understand that man is fallen in physicality and in his understanding. This misunderstanding by fallen men often finds itself in disagreements that are nothing more than disagreements of doctrine that are misunderstanding of the meaning of words. Therefore, so that there is no misunderstanding as to what I mean about growth in grace I give this as to what I mean: I do not mean that man can ever be more justified, more pardoned, more forgiven, more at peace with God, than when he at the first moment of belief. Justification and sanctification is a finished work of God, it is complete, perfect, and even the weakest of saints is as justified, sanctified as the strongest of saints. Remember, justification is a forensic work, Jesus Christ was the propitiation for sin, and this then is how we are declared justified. Sanctification for man in this life is a progressive work; yes, in the sight of God we are sanctified through Him seeing us through His Son, but we in this life, as humans and not robots, must while we are on this earth apply growth in grace, sanctification. We are still fallen creatures and have to overcome sin that is part and parcel of our being.  The good news is also that our election, calling and standing in Jesus Christ admit of no degrees, increase or diminution. Therefore there is no growth in justification: "...and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:10). Nothing can be added to God's justification and this justification can never be taken away. 

     Growth in grace is an increase in the degree, size, strength, vigor and power of the graces which the Holy Spirit plants in a believer's heart.  Those graces given by the Holy spirit are not some stagnant grace that does not grow for they all admit to growth, to progress in this life, and to increase in the believer. It must be admitted that love, humility, zeal, courage, and the like may be more in one person than another and even be in a man in different degrees at different times; but the meaning of growth in grace, sanctification is simply this: a man's sense of becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual understanding more marked, more exercised.  A growing person in this life manifests this growth, by going from strength to strength, from faith to faith, and from grace to grace. He is growing in grace. 

     This doctrine is so established in Scripture that it cannot be denied, oh! you may avoid this doctrine, you may wish that it did not exist, but it does, this growth is a hallmark sign of an Authentic Biblical Christian. Here are a few Scriptures that validate this doctrine: "And my the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints" (1Thessalonians 3:12). "...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment" (Philippians 1:9). "Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to alk and to please God;" (1Thessalonians 4:1). Growth in grace is taught in Scripture and this doctrine is incapable of any other explanation. 

     The question that should way on your heart is: am I growing in grace? Is my live becoming more and more in Sanctification and the image of Jesus Christ is what people see in me? 

For God did not call us 

     to uncleanness, but

in holiness. Therefore

    he who rejects this

does not reject man,

    but God, who has 

also given us His Holy Spirit.

                               1Thessalonians 4:7-8

God has called and Is Faithful

Richard L. Crumb