John Robbins: The Primary Means of Sanctification: The Scriptures

 

 

If the confessions of the Reformation are unanimous in their rejection of salvation by the law, they are also at one in their insistence on the fact that we are saved for the keeping of the law. John Calvin declared, “Let us put far from us the ungodly notion that the law is not to be our rule, for it is our changeless rule of life.” The Scripture teaches us that it is not in man to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23). This is as true of the converted man as of the unconverted man. It is true that the believer has the Holy Spirit, but we must not get the idea that the Spirit sets a man free from the need for an objective rule of life. The apostle Paul does not arrive at a “Spirit ethic.” The Spirit is present in God’s Word. Just as he leads us outside of ourselves to that “cross without” for justification, so he leads us to the “law without” for sanctification. We are justified by the outside righteousness of Christ and led in the way of holiness by the outside Word of Christ. Says the apostle, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). It is very apparent that Paul includes Law as well as Gospel in “all Scripture,” for does not the Spirit use the law “for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness”? And although the Gospel inspires and motivates to good works, how may we be informed as to what works please God, except by understanding his law?

Therefore, it is as plain as day, and may be clear to all save those who are obstinately blind, that the Spirit sanctifies the believer by means of believing and understanding the Word of God, and that Word includes both Law and Gospel. The man who is being sanctified will exhibit the same attitude to the law as the man who wrote Psalm 119. Just as there is no justification for those who reject the Gospel, so there is no sanctification for those who despise the Law. The Word, therefore, is the indispensable means of sanctification. The Gospel brings the inspiration and power for obedience, and the Law illuminates the path of obedience. Sanctification, however, is neither our obedience nor our good works; those are the result of our sanctification by the Word and Spirit.  -- John Robbins

The Trinity Foundation - The Means of Sanctification

[Addendum:  I would agree with Robbins up until the last sentence.  If sanctification does not include obedience how could the Law illuminate the path of obedience?  Sanctification is a process from which the knowledge of the Gospel and the Law causes the believer to more and more grow in Christ and to love His commandments.  The Law tells the Christian what his duty to God is after he or she has been regenerated by irresistible grace and justified through faith apart from good works.  The Law tells the justified Christian how he or she is to work out his or her salvation because of the monergistic grace that causes him or her to persevere in faith to the end, demonstrating his or her love for Jesus by obeying His commandments.  Philippians 2:12-13 KJV.  December 25th, 2021].