In ourselves and by ourselves, sanctification is impossible. As God’s grace makes us more and more holy, what is our role, if any? Some futilely try to grow in Christ by merely pondering the gospel over and over, hoping to stir up a grateful heart that always joyfully “feels like” obeying. Some have even concluded that obeying when we don’t feel like it is the height of hypocrisy. Genuinely searching for the “joy in God” they hear so much about, Christians are baffled as to why emotional fervor is not enough to defeat stubborn sins. Our emotions need sanctifying much like our thoughts and choices need sanctifying. A right diagnosis of the problem is the only thing that will lead to the right cure—without faith, the battle with besetting sins will always be a losing one. Thankfully, Scripture gives a clear understanding of how to grow in holiness. The pursuit of holiness does not contradict grace; it celebrates it. God provided gospel grace so that His people could become holy. The same grace that frees the believer from the guilt of sin also frees and empowers the believer to pursue holiness. Some of the very best news a child of God could ever hear is that our freedom from sin’s bondage also gives us the power to be conformed to the image of our Savior. In a word, the best news is that in Christ we are free to be holy.
