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Persistent sin plagues us, it clings to us like seaweed on a drowning man. Even though we know we are free in Christ we still hear the rattling of the chains of sin and slavery. Because so often the battleground with sin is over the same issue again and again, it is easy for us to think that if we could just get rid of that one thing then we would be free from sin entirely. Even if we know we will still have to struggle in some sense, we think that sanctification would be so much easier if not for that one persistent indwelling sin. That one sin that we battle weekly or even daily, that we fear defines us, and which we fear we may fall into over and over. Struggling with this sin can seem so daunting that we feel we are the biggest sinners because of it.
As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ – 1 Peter 1:15-16
But the problem in thinking it is just this one sin that we struggle with, is that we don’t acknowledge how deep of a sinner we really are. What we fail to realize is that even if that one persistent sin was stricken from our life completely, underneath the surface is an infestation of countless other sins that must be exterminated. In many ways the process of growing in sanctification is the process of peeling back the layers of our own sinfulness to realize how deep it really goes. However, lest we go too far down the road of self-loathing, peeling back the layers of our sinfulness also shows us how great of a merciful Savior Christ is to us. As we grow in acknowledging our sin we grow in acknowledging the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for us.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. – 1 Peter 2:24
The reason why so many of us feel defeated in our struggle with sanctification is because we think that sanctification is getting rid of one sin, when the goal sanctification is the mortification of all sin. A man may struggle with pride, may battle pride, and may even one day defeat and overcome pride; but if that man has not dealt with his sin holistically then he may still be a lazy, short tempered, lustful, glutton. Sometimes it is easier to focus on the glaring sin that we know we have than to be brave enough to discover the sin in us that we do not realize we have, even though such sin may be closer to our heart. Sanctification is not merely habit changing, it must be an entire person changing.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. – Galatians 5:22-24
When we grow holistically in our sanctification it affects the persistent sin that haunts our life. For instance, previously we mentioned a man who had a problem with pride. By looking for sanctification in all areas of life, such as kindness, compassion for others, thankfulness and self-control may be strengthened in his life which in turn battle pride. Things like unkindness, being uncompassionate, un-thankfulness and lack of self-control are often contingent sins attached to pride. By not merely hammering away at pride but also seeking sanctification in the other areas of life, the persistent sin of pride will itself be lessened. This can mean that we place our persistent sin in its proper context with our other sins. For while pride is wrong so is unkindness and unthankfulness. If we only focus on the persistent sin we may not be dealing with other sins equally as heinous that we must also mortify.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:5-8
Lastly, by looking holistically at sanctification we may be able to avoid some of the crippling feelings of doubt and defeat. Because a persistent sin is, well persistent, mortification of it may take years, a lifetime, or even be a constant struggle that is not eradicated until glory. This can give one a sense of defeat, despair, and still being a slave to sin. However, when one sees the growth of holiness in other areas of their life then encouragement to sanctification can be found in them even through the presence of persistent sin. Yes, that same sin may rear its ugly head and we must fight and struggle against it, but that does not mean other areas of our life are not advancing in holiness. We must be honest in the assessment of ourselves and take courage from those areas in which God has granted us growth in sanctification. They should be motivators to us that God is still at work in us and that he will bring our sanctification to completion in Christ Jesus.
I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
Therefore, do not be myopic in your view of sanctification. While you must struggle with persistent sin do not fall into the trap of thinking that one sin is your only sin. Furthermore, while you must struggle with persistent sin, do not fall into the trap of thinking that is the only battleground that determines victory. Sanctification may not happen in the order or pace that you want it to, but it is Christ’s promise that it will happen. So broaden the view of your growth in holiness to all areas of your life and find vitality from the victories of your walk in sanctification regardless of which areas they are found in.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 5:23
