Freedom As Slaves Unto Righteousness

Sanctification or growth into Christ continues to be a matter of grave importance for God’s people. In part, it concerns and answers the following questions: how are those that have been saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, to live in this world while they eagerly expect the Second Coming of their Lord Jesus Christ? To whom are they ultimately accountable?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism #35 tells us “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, (2 Thess. 2:13) whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, (Eph. 4:23–24) and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.” According to this teaching, growth into Christ involves the entire person that is being gradually transformed into the image of God. As such, it is a transformation that is measurable, visible and indispensable to the Christian. It involves two simultaneous activities that are produced in us by the Holy Spirit: the mortification of sin and the vivification of holy virtues. This process can also be understood by the biblical terms of putting off the old man and putting on the new, Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:9-10. However, such a comprehensive and radical change takes place under the rubric of our new, exclusive Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

As our Lord has very pointedly taught us, discipleship requires the thoroughgoing understanding and acceptance of his exclusive rule over our lives. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Mt 6:24. When the Lord saves us, he effectually conquers the deathly reign of sin over our mortal bodies, Rom 6:12. The grace of God that effectually saves us is also the grace that effectually sanctifies us in such a way that sin no longer exercises lordship over our lives, v. 15. Before we were saved, our relationship to sin was not, as some foolishly think, an exercise of our free will but rather, one of enslavement, v. 17, a most wretched condition from which we could not extricate ourselves and from which we did and could not have the desire to be released. We were dead in our trespasses and sins which were not merely bad deeds that we performed from time to time but which were the defining characteristic of our lives. In other words, we walked according to the evil course of this world, keeping in step with the dark ruler of this world, Satan, who control the thoughts, intentions, emotions, ambitions, attitudes, words, deeds, and so on, of all those that are without Christ. He is the spirit that has his wayin the sons of disobedience, craftily and insidiously dominating their lives from the inside out, cf. Eph 2:1-3

In God’s glorious, gracious salvation of our souls, he sovereignly dethrones this ruler and replaces him with himself. The Triune God himself is our new Master. In sanctification, we submissively cooperate with God to put our remaining sin to death and to develop affections and actions that are acceptable to Him. This is accomplished in a humble and active dependence on the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables and equips us to live holy lives, Gal 5:16, 25; etc. , as he transforms us more and more into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Cor 3:18; cf. Rom 8:29.

This divine Lordship that began at conversion necessarily continues throughout the Christian life. Whereas formerly we lived under the tyranny of the prince of this world, now, as believers, we live under the loving rule of our God. Yes, we are not our own for we have been bought with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor 6:19b – 20a. Contrary to our former way of life, we no longer live for ourselves but for Christ who died and was raised for our sake, 2 Cor 5:15. In Christianity, a very interesting paradox takes place: we who were once slaves to sin have now been redeemed that we may experience the ultimate freedom …. as slaves again! However, not as slaves unto death but as slaves of righteousness, Rom 6:18; of righteousness that leads to sanctification v. 19; of God, v. 22. Yes, our new freedom has been achieved by Christ who has freed us for freedom, Gal 5:1, however, this freedom can only be realized by absolute submission to him. Only then and there can sanctification take place. His yoke is easy and his burden is light, Mt 11:28.