Sanctification is a Progressive Work | John Owen

Deep Dive into Sanctification is a Progressive Work by John Owen Sanctification is an immediate, powerful work of the Holy Spirit that purifies believers, renews them in the image of God, and enables spiritual obedience. Unlike regeneration, which is instantaneous and identical in all subjects, sanctification is a progressive work that admits of degrees and is carried on gradually throughout a believer's life. Owen explains that this growth resembles the secret, imperceptible thriving of plants. The Holy Spirit carries out this progress in two primary ways. First, He increases and strengthens constant graces, specifically faith and love, by exciting them to action through the preaching of the Word, by His internal dwelling, by providing consoling experiences of divine love, and by directly increasing their strength. Second, He develops occasional graces, such as patience and temperance, by guiding believers through trials and reminding them of their duties. Although sanctification is entirely the Spirit's work, it is also a required duty that demands human diligence. Believers must actively employ spiritual means and resist temptations, as indulging in any single corruption weakens the entire spiritual life. A believer may not always perceive their growth. This occurs because grace grows secretly, because intense temptations order the soul toward deeper root growth like humility rather than visible fruit, or because the Spirit shifts the focus of His work. Spiritual decays can also occur due to negligence or sin, which function as diseases in our spiritual constitution. Ultimately, Owen emphasizes that believers must continually depend on the Spirit for sovereign supplies of grace, avoiding both self-confidence and despondency while pressing toward perfection. True spiritual life in all of its acts is lived entirely by the grace of Christ, who watches over the seed of holiness to preserve and perfect it against every trial. Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainer Worship Music: https://suno.com/playlist/3a498d0f-c90e-4981-8aa7-59834e7239f7 https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730