Sanctification is one of the most misunderstood doctrines in the Christian life. In Part 11 of the Basics of the Faith series, "Sanctification," Pastor Drew Webb examines Romans 6:5-14 to explain how believers move from justification to daily, practical holiness. The message opens by addressing Wesleyan Perfectionism, also called Entire Sanctification, and explains why the belief that Christians can achieve sinless perfection in this life does not align with the full witness of Scripture. From there, Pastor Webb defines sanctification as salvation from the power of sin, distinguishing it from justification, which is salvation from the penalty of sin, and glorification, which is salvation from the presence of sin.
The sermon breaks sanctification into two categories: positional sanctification, the instantaneous reality of being set apart in Christ at the moment of salvation, and progressive sanctification, the ongoing, cooperative process of being conformed to the image of Jesus through obedience to Scripture. Drawing on Romans 6:6-11, Leviticus 20:24-26, and 1 Peter 1:14-16, Pastor Webb walks through the biblical basis for considering oneself dead to sin and alive to God, and explains the practical steps believers can take to stop letting sin reign in their bodies, including taking every thought captive as described in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4:8.
The message closes with the promise of Romans 6:14, that sin no longer has dominion over believers because they live under grace rather than under law. Using the illustration of the continuous painting and maintenance of the Golden Gate Bridge, Pastor Webb encourages listeners to view sanctification as a lifelong, ongoing process rather than a one-time achievement. This teaching is part of the Basics of the Faith series, a foundational study designed to help Christians understand core doctrines of the faith, including salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
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