Liberty University
Walking in the Spirit:
The Christian Life
Presented to
Dr. Seth Bible
for
BIBL 425 – Romans
by
W. Christopher King
L27662226
July 10, 2018
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Walking in the Spirit- The Christian Life: A Research Essay
While Charity Gayle and her friends composed the words and music to the song
“Cleansed,” they must have felt the power of God moving them to write. This song is such an
amazing song. The words start by saying: “I am cleansed, I am washed, I am sanctified. I am
Holy Ghost filled, and water baptized. I am right with my God for all time, ‘Cause Jesus my
savior's alive.”1 But, what are the items of this song? Cleansed, washed, sanctified, Holy Ghost
filled, and water baptized are all tenants of the foundations of Christianity. While we will not
address all, we will address one in particular. Throughout this essay we will endeavor to
understand what it means to walk in the Spirit through sanctification by understanding its full
definition, the basis of its reception, the means by which one obtains sanctification, the time
factors, the benefits of receiving sanctification, and the assurance of receiving such a great
blessing. Through understanding these crucial parts of Paul’s writings, we will further
understand what it means to live a Christian life by walking in the Spirit.
As we look at the writings of Paul to the Roman church, we find an apostle that had a
deep desire for the Roman church to understand what it meant to walk in the Spirit. Weaved
through the fibers of the letter to the Roman church are huge nuggets that not only applied to the
church in Paul’s time but also to the church in our time as well as ourselves. Paul told us in
Galatians 5 to “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17=For the flesh
lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the
other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18=But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not
1 Charity Gayle,=Cleansed, Charity Gayle, Crystal Yates, Jennie Lee Riddle, Will Yates, 2016, People &
Songs, Track 7 on=Lord, You are My Song, 2018, compact disc.
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under the law. 19=Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20=Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, 21=Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I
tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God. 22=But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, 23=Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24=And they
that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25=If we live in the Spirit, let
us also walk in the Spirit. 26=Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying
one another.” This seems like a long passage so let’s delve more into how this applies to
sanctification.
When we first come to know and accept Jesus as our Savior, we still have all of the
baggage that came from our sinful past. We still have things in our life that are attached even
after our salvation. Due to this, we must continue to grow and allow Christ to continuously clean
and purify our lives.
Definition
If we were to look at a few scholars in terms of how they were to define the term
“sanctification,” we may get a few different views as well as some collaborating ones. Martin
Luther was notorious for his works on sanctification. Luther’s belief of sanctification was that it
was “a daily process of the Holy Spirit, which comes by faith, purifying the believer and freeing
the believer to do good works that only comes through meditation on the Word of God and
invocation of Christ but is not effective apart from the church.”2 In a report by Elmer Towns,
2 Elmer L. Towns, "Martin Luther on Sanctification," Liberty University Digital Commons, 1969, accessed July 08,
2018, http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/towns_articles/14.
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Elmer defines it as “Sanctification is a continual process of God, based on the finality of
justification, where as a result of daily faith the Holy Spirit is operative in the believer's life,
which purifies and frees the believer for good works, operating within the community of
believers, the church, where the Word and sacraments are present.”3 Yet another scholar places a
deeper dimension on sanctification. David Scaer explains:
“Sanctification involves such topics (loci) in the dogmatic spectrum beginning with the
doctrine of God, that is, theology in the narrow sense, including the Trinitarian life;
predestination; anthropology including the restoration of the image of God in believers;
Christology, in that Jesus is the perfection, embodiment and source of all good works; the
sacraments through which the Holy Spirit effects the good works God requires; and
eschatology, in that at the judgment we will be assessed by our good works. Then
mankind as it is embodied in the church will reach and excel the holiness that was once
Adam’s.”4
Furthermore, Dr. William D. Barrick Professor at Master’s Seminary, states
“Sanctification is inseparable from regeneration; where there is one, the other must also exist.
Sanctification is the process of making holy, whether in the OT or the NT.”5 As one can see,
coming from multiple different perspectives, we can deduce the fact that sanctification is an
ongoing process that is started, continued, and completed by the Holy Spirit to draw a believer to
a closer walk with God as our Lord. Only when we die will we reach the perfection that God
expects for us. According to Romans 8, the Spirit is integral to our sanctification. Paul teaches us
several things regarding indwelling Spirit and Christian obedience (or sanctification). In Romans
8, Paul teaches: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are
after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.6=For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually
3 Elmer L. Towns, "Martin Luther on Sanctification," Liberty University Digital Commons, 1969, accessed July 08,
2018, http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/towns_articles/14.116.
4 David Scaer, “Sanctification,” Concordia Journal, Concordia Theological Seminary, 2015, accessed July 08, 2018,
http://scholar.csl.edu/cj/vol41/iss3/6
5 William D. Barrick, “Sanctification: The Work of The Holy Spirit And Scripture,” Master’s Seminary Journal, The
Master’s Seminary, April 27, 2011, accessed July 08,2018, https://www.tms.edu/m/msj21h.pdf.
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minded is life and peace.7=Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed can be.8=So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.9=But
ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10=And if Christ be in you, the body is dead
because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11=But if the Spirit of him that raised
up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken
your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12=Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not
to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13=For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through
the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:5-13, KJV).
Upon a deeper examination of this selection of verses, Paul describes Christian obedience
as not walking after desires of our flesh, but rather desiring to follow the things the Spirit wants
us to do. He explains that if the believer follows the things the flesh desires then they will die,
both spiritually and physically. J. Vernon McGee explains: “If you are a child of God and you
have unconfessed sin in your life, do you want to go to church… Of course you don’t. You are
separated from God.”6This separation is due to the death both spiritual and physical. Therefore,
Paul also teaches in verse 13 that if the believer does away with the deeds of the flesh, then the
believer will live. Paul tells that once the believer has accepted Christ, they are a new person.
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed,
that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:6, KJV). The flesh struggles against things
God wants us to do. McGee again states: “Satisfying the old nature has plunged our nation in to
the grossest immorality! But God says that we as believers are not debtors to the flesh. My
6 J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, vol. 4, 60 vols. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson,
1981).700.
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friend, the flesh – and we all have it- is a low- down, dirty rascal. And we don’t owe it
anything.”7 We are to put our desires and wants to the back and allow God’s desires to infiltrate
our lives. When we look at it, sanctification comes by two means. God imparts His desire and
His grace in our lives and we must react; just as we did to salvation. We must make a decision.
Do we accept the problem in our life and cast out the beam from our eye (as Jesus puts it), or do
we allow it to grow and fester. “It is hard to get sin out of our lives by main force. We are all
conscious of being frequently beset with evil thoughts. There is evil within us to suggest them.
The mere suggestion in not sinful, but our thoughts can becomes sinful at the point of
delectation.”8 Therefore, if we choose to allow God to direct our steps instead of directing them
ourselves, we align our desires and will with His. He begins to purify our lives and we aid by
physically removing the temptation for that sin being there. All this being said, by what then is
sanctification based on?
Basis
Partial sanctification is received at time of salvation, meaning the heart is purified.
However, on what is sanctification based or grounded? When we accept Christ as savior, we
offer our lives in its full entirety to Christ. We fully submit and promise to follow all that He has
for us and tells us to do. Paul explains this in Romans 12. He states: “I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service.2=And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2, KJV). Albert Barnes explains to us: “He [Paul] had
7 Ibid. 700.
8 Edward Hastings, The Speakers Bible, vol. 2, 2 vols. (Aberdeen, Scotland: Speakers Bible Office, 1937).50.
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proved that all were by nature under sin; that they had no claim on God; and that He [God] had
showed great compassion in giving His Son to die for them in this state, and in pardoning their
sins.”9
Therefore, the basis on which we are becoming sanctified is by God’s grace. We are
called by God’s grace, saved by His mercy, and continuously worked on by the Holy Spirit after
this acceptance only because Christ wants us to walk and live close to Him. “But God also wants
to form people transformed by the gospel into communities that reflect the values of the
gospel.”10 Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection is necessary to have happened and to be
true in order for sanctification to be possible. This is because sanctification and justification go
hand in hand although they are two very different works. When Christ died, He paid the debt for
our sin. Through this we are declared righteous (justified). After this justification, we are to try to
align our lives to what Christ has for us. The explanation by Erik Raymond says it best. He
states:
“Sanctification, on the other hand, is the continual process of being made more holy. It is
the progressive conformity of the one who has been justified into the image of their
Savior through the work of the Holy Spirit. Like justification, sanctification is a work of
grace through faith. And, sanctification is possible because of the finished work of Christ
on our behalf. Justification happens outside of you, you are declared righteous.
Sanctification happens inside of you, you are made righteous. Justification is a one-time
event, and sanctification is a continual process. When we are justified, we are declared
righteous positionally (that is, before God we are righteous). However, while we are
positionally righteous, we are practically not perfectly righteous. While doubtless
growing in grace, we are still, when compared to Christ, unrighteous. Sanctification then
is the gradual conformity to the likeness of Christ. In other words, sanctification is the
gradual process of becoming practically what we are positionally (righteous).
Justification is not being made righteous. Justification is not based upon what we do.
Sanctification is based upon what we do.”11
9 Albert Barnes,=Notes on the New Testament: Revelation=(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1959).
10 Douglas J. Moo,=The NIV Application Commentary: Romans=(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
2000).482.
11 Erik Raymond, "What Is the Difference Between Justification and Sanctification?" The Gospel Coalition, May 2,
2017, accessed July 08, 2018, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/what-is-the-difference-
between-justification-and-sanctification/.
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When we align our will to God’s will and follow His leading, then we begin to start the
process of drawing closer to Him. This obedience is what we are aiming to allow God to
complete in our lives. As a result of the process of sanctification, we see a life that is becoming
more like Christ. However, it doesn’t mean that we are automatically sin-free. This leads us to
the next point.
Time Factors
As I sated earlier, when we accept Christ, we are partially sanctified. This is because your
heart has accepted the justification of Christ. We, from that point, decide that we want to draw
closer to Christ. God imparts His “righteousness in and through the believer to conform him
progressively to the character and image of Jesus Christ.” 12 We will never reach full perfection
in this life. Paul points out that sanctification is neither immediate nor complete. He says: “If
then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17=Now then it is no more I
that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18=For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no
good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19=For
the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20=Now if I do that I
would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21=I find then a law, that, when I
would do good, evil is present with me.” (Romans 7:16-21, KJV).
Walter Thomas Conner tells: “this progressive development has often been taken for
granted as almost an automatic and necessary thing. This is not true.”13 When Paul met Jesus on
the road to Damascus, he was changed in that moment. He made a conscious decision to follow
12 Elmer L. Towns and Ben Gutierrez, eds., The Essence of the New Testament: A Survey (Nashville, TN: B&H
Academic, 2016).136.
13 Walter Thomas Conner, The Work of the Holy Spirit: A Treatment of the Biblical Doctrine of the Divine Spirit
(Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1940).99.
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Christ and the things that he used to do became sin in his eyes. Although his salvation was
completed in that moment of his salvation acceptance his writings show he still struggled with
his same sinful nature. “At the moment of salvation, we each receive new life in Christ. Instantly,
there is a conflict. The new creation we are in Christ struggles against the old nature we are in
sin. The Holy Spirit lives in the Christian to enable our new nature to be in control.”14 This
constant struggle and conflict is our sinful nature struggling with the battle of our new nature.
This struggle can hinder the process of sanctification. As Paul stated, “the things I want to do, I
don’t do; the things I don’t want to do, I do that.” (Romans 7:19-20, paraphrased). This yet again
proves that this process is ongoing. If it was immediate, even the apostles would not have a
problem containing their fleshly desires.
As we move into the next portion, it is important to understand that this process although
it is ongoing, it will start to show results and produce fruit.
Results/ Fruits
Once one is sanctified or rather begins the process of sanctification, there are a few
benefits or results which follow. For us to understand the benefits of sanctification, we need to
turn to other departments of the Bible. Sanctification allows us to have a deeper intimacy with
God.
“This is where we get involved in the process; growing in Christ is not just a matter of
“what we do,” however, it is also a matter of “what God does in us.” The truth is, God’s
work in us is in this stage is far more transformational than our work, even though we
often feel like “we’re doing all the work!” Paul puts it this way, “Work out your salvation
with fear and trembling, but work with the realization that you’re not working alone, God
is also at work in you both to will and to do His good pleasure” (Phil 2:12-13).15
14 AWANA International; Journey Curriculum: Romans (Streamwood, IL: Awana Clubs International, 2003).40.
15Donald W. Ekstrand, “Sanctification” – Romans 6-8, http://www.thetransformedsoul.com/additional-studies/new-
testament-book-studies/romans-6-8-sanctification
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One of the other fruits that come about is self-discipline. Through the process of
becoming sanctified we become self-disciplined. “As we might put it, although a new dominant
sentiment has been formed, the mental and physical habits acquired under the old regime persist
as tendencies, and must be fought by self-discipline, as Paul confesses in 1 Cor 9:25-27.”16 We
will touch on this more under the next section due to the fact that once fruit is produced, it is
assurance of sanctification.
Assurance
We must ask the inevitable question: “how can one be assured of sanctification?” When
one yields their life and the deepest hidden parts of their heart to God and God fixes that area, He
plants a new seed into that void. This new seed yields a new fruit. It’s called the “Fruits of the
Spirit.” For instance, when a person yields to Christ their incontinence, Christ cleanses that
portion of their life and in turn He plants a seed that the person will begin to see temperance
(self-control). When one submits to giving God their anger, God in turn plants love. Sorrow turns
to joy, anxiety/ worry to peace, impatience to longsuffering, harshness to gentleness, immorality
to goodness, distrust to faith, and meekness to pride. When a Christian submits the problems of
their heart, God cleanses that and makes it for His glory. In turn, we become meek and gentle
with the eyes of Christ to those around us. “The seal of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification,
making us new creatures, is the inward evidence of the righteousness of faith.”17
Means
16 C.H Dodd, The Epistle of Paul to the Romans (London: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1932).127.
17 "Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry Concise," Bible Study Tools, 2011, accessed July 09, 2018,
https://app.wordsearchbible.com/reader.
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Now that we have a good understanding of the meaning of sanctification, the questions
still remain: how does one obtain sanctification and by what means is one sanctified? Romans 6
explains to us the “steps,” if you will, of becoming sanctified. First, one must consider
themselves. Paul clarifies this more in 1 Corinthians. He states: “But let a man examine himself,
and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29=For he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.” (1 Cor.
11:28-29, KJV). This is talking about during communion. However, if we look at Romans
chapter 6, we should look at our lives according to Christ. “For if we have been planted together
in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Romans 6:5,
KJV). The key theme here is that “if” we have been planted together with Christ in His death,
then “we should” want to pattern our lives after Him.
“The apostle reasons: (1) Jesus conquered Sin and Death by dying and rising again; (2)
those who have been baptized with Christ share in his crucifixion and resurrection;
consequently, (3) believers have been liberated from Sin and should no longer allow Sin
to rule over them. Their allegiance belongs to a new Lord, the=amazing Grace of God.”18
Second, a person must yield to Christ’s leading. “Let not sin therefore reign in your
mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13=Neither yield ye your members as
instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive
from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Romans 6:12-13,
KJV). Third, and final means by which sanctification is obtained is: just do it. “Know ye not, that
to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of
sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16, KJV). Peter also councils
18 Ben C. Blackwell et al.,=Reading Romans in Context: Paul and Second Temple Judaism=(Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2015).89.
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Christians later in 1 Peter to be holy. “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet.
1:16, KJV).
There is a matter that we must, as the Nike motto used to be, “Just do it!” When Christ
tells that something is wrong in a Christian’s life through a prayer conversation, there must be
action which is taken on the part of the Christian to do what is told to do. If not, there could not
be any sanctification because that Christian is not trying to draw closer to God.
“Now the believer, who is no longer enslaved to the flesh, who now has the Holy Spirit
and a new regenerated life, can break the chains to sinful habits and live righteously.
Once this process starts it progresses towards “sanctification” (hagiasmos, “the process of
making holy, dedicated, belonging completely to God;” or the “careful moral behavior
that expresses one’s dedication to God,”. Notice: no one remains morally neutral or
static: he is either slipping back into more sin or overcoming sin towards more holiness
(vs. 22).”19
We must, as Christians, allow Christ to freely operate in our lives. Without His control
we are nothing. We follow whatever breezes blow into whichever direction the breezes blow. We
are lost.
Conclusion
In conclusion, no matter where we are in our walk with God, we must continually focus
our eyes, heart, thoughts, desire, and the very threads of fiber of our being on what Christ wants.
We must study His word, daily encounter His love through prayer, and continually grow through
Him. He offers and will continuously offer us continuing correction. He corrects those He loves
(Heb. 12:6). When it comes to sanctification, understanding the definition, basis, time factors,
results/ fruits, assurance, and the means by which one obtains sanctification will only help
prepare us for a life of that correction as a follower of Christ and prepare us to be more receptive
to His leading as He guides us in His love. It will help us on our journey to actually correct those
19 Don Fanning. “Romans 6: The Basics of Sanctification,” Center for Global Ministries, 2009, accessed July 9,
2018, http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=cgm_rom
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things we are told by Christ. Only through His correction and guidance can we live a life worthy
to be called walking in the Spirit.
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Bibliography
AWANA International. Journey: Romans. Streamwood: AWANA International, 2003.
Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical; Romans. Grand
Rapids: Baker Book House, 1959.
Barrick, William D. "Sanctification: The Work of The Holy Spirit And Scripture." Master’s
Seminary Journal. April 27, 2011. https://www.tms.edu/m/msj21h.pdf (accessed July 08,
2018).
Blackwell, Ben C, John K Goodrich, and Jason Matson, . Reading Romans in Context; Paul and
Second Temple Judaism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015.
Conner, Walter Thomas. The Work of the Holy Spirit; A Treatment of the Biblical Doctrine of the
Divine Spirit. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1940.
Dodd, C. H. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers,
1932.
Ekstrand, Donald W. ""Sanctification” – Romans 6-8." The Transformed Soul. 2012.
http://www.thetransformedsoul.com/additional-studies/new-testament-book-studies/
romans-6-8-sanctification (accessed July 08, 2018).
Fanning , Don. "Romans 6: The Basics of Sanctification." Liberty Univerity Digital Commons.
2009. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1005&context=cgm_rom (accessed July 09, 2018).
Gayle, Charity. "Cleansed." Lord You Are My Song (Deluxe Edition). Comps. Jennie Lee Riddle,
Crystal Yates, Will Yates, & Charity Gayle. 989461. 2018. Compact Disc.
Gutierrez, Ben, and Elmer Towns, . The Essence of the New Testament: A Survey. Nashville: B
& H Academic, 2012.
Hastings, James. The Speaker's Bible; Romans. Edited by Edward Hastings. Vol. 2. 2 vols.
Edinburgh: Turnbull & Spears, 1937.
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
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McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee; Matthew through Romans. Nashville:
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983.
Moo, Douglas J. The NIV Application Commentary: Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
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Raymond, Erik. "What is the Difference Between Justification and Sanctification?" The Gospel
Coalition. May 2, 2017. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/what-is-
the-difference-between-justification-and-sanctification/ (accessed July 08, 2018).
(accessed July 08, 2018).
Scaer, David . "Sanctification." Concordia Journal (Concordia Theological Seminary) Vol. 41,
no. 3 (2015): 236-249.
Towns, Elmer L. "Martin Luther on Sanctification." Digital Commons at Liberty University.
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