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Are We Sanctified?
by J. C. Ryle

Are We Sanctified? — Point #12       * Feature Study *
"Sanctification, in the last place, is absolutely necessary, in order to train and prepare us for heaven. Most men hope to go to heaven when they die; but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether they would enjoy heaven if they got there."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #11
"Sanctification, again, is a thing which will be found absolutely necessary as a witness to our character in the great day of judgment. It will be utterly useless to plead that we believed in Christ, unless our faith has had some sanctifying effect. Evidence, evidence, evidence, will be the one thing wanted when the great white throne is set..."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #10
"Sanctification, again, is a thing which cannot justify a man, and yet it pleases God. This may seem wonderful, and yet it is true. The holiest actions of the holiest saint that ever lived are all more or less full of defects and imperfections."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #9
"Sanctification, again, is a thing which does not prevent a man from having a great deal of inward spiritual conflict. By conflict I mean a struggle within the heart between the old nature and the new, the flesh and the spirit, which are to be found together in every believer."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #8
"Sanctification, again, is a thing which depends greatly on a diligent use of Scriptural means. When I speak of "means," I have in view Bible reading, private prayer, regular attendance on public worship, regular hearing of God's Word, and regular reception of the Lord's Supper."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #7
"Sanctification, again, is a thing which admits of growth and degrees. A man may climb from one step to another in holiness, and be far more sanctified at one period of his life than another. More pardoned and more justified than he is when he first believes he cannot be, though he may feel it more."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #6
"Sanctification, again, is a thing for which every believer is responsible. In saying this I would not be mistaken. I hold as strongly as any one that every man on earth is accountable to God, and that all the lost will be speechless and without excuse at the last day. Every man has power to "lose his own soul." (Matthew 16:26.)"

Are We Sanctified? — Point #5
"Sanctification, again, is a thing that will always be seen. Like the Great Head of the Church, from whom it springs, it ‘cannot be hid.’ ‘Every tree is known by his own fruit.’ (Luke 6:44.) A truly sanctified person may be so clothed with humility, that he can see in himself nothing but infirmity and defects."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #4
"Sanctification, again, is the only sure mark of God's election. The names and number of the elect are a secret thing, no doubt, which God has wisely kept in His own power, and not revealed to man. But if there is one thing clearly and plainly laid down about election, it is this, that elect men and women may be known and distinguished by holy lives."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #3
"Sanctification, again, is the only certain evidence of that indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is essential to salvation. ‘If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His.’ (Romans 8:9.) The Spirit never lies dormant and idle within the soul: He always makes His presence known by the fruit He causes to be borne in heart, character, and life."

Are We Sanctified? — Point #2
"Sanctification, again, is the outcome and inseparable consequence of regeneration. He that is born again and made a new creature, receives a new nature and a new principle, and always lives a new life.

Are We Sanctified? — Point #1
"Sanctification, then, is the invariable result of that vital union with Christ which true faith gives to a Christian. ‘He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.’ (John 15:5.) The branch which bears no fruit is no living branch of the vine."

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