Chapter 13 - OF SANCTIFICATION

1 Those who have been united with Christ through an effectual calling and regeneration have a new heart and spirit created within them. This transformation is made possible by the power of Christ's death and resurrection. These believers are also progressively sanctified, in a real and personal way, through that same power. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God reside in them, destroying the rule of the sinful nature. As a result, the body's sinful desires are increasingly weakened and put to death, while believers are made more and more alive and strengthened in all saving graces. This process enables them to practice all genuine holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

2 Sanctification, the process of becoming holy, affects every part of a person. However, in this life, it's an incomplete process. There will always be some remaining sin and corruption in every part of our being. This is what leads to a constant and internal conflict, with our sinful nature at war with the Holy Spirit.

3 While our sinful nature may sometimes get the better of us, we can overcome it. This is because the Holy Spirit, who makes us holy, continually gives us strength. As a result, we grow in God's grace and become more holy out of reverence for him. We strive to live a heavenly life, obeying all the commands that Christ, our Head and King, has given us in his Word.