The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification
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“Are ye so foolish,” asked Paul of the Galatians, “having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3) Because of our legal bias, we are prone to strive after perfection according to the tenor of the covenant of works, which is nothing but a striving in the flesh. This causes many to be discouraged, and thereby Satan tempts them to give up seeking after holiness at all. However, the way of being sanctified and thus enabled to perform the duties of the law is revealed only in the gospel. Hence, practical godliness is a “gospel mystery” (1 Tim. 3:16). Contrary to fleshly expectations, the reason that sin will not have dominion over the Christian is because he is not under law (namely, not under it as a covenant), but under grace (Rom. 6:14).