The New Testament declares that every believer, following conversion, is obliged to live out his positional sanctification, make spiritual progress, and grow in practical godliness.1 In this way he shows his positional sanctification to others. Indeed, under the provisions of the new covenant, the believer will be moved to show, by his life, his sanctified status in Christ.2 In other words, the believer will be moved to demonstrate his positional sanctification – which cannot be seen by men – by his progressive sanctification – which must be seen by men – as evidence of his change of status before God:
You will recognise them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?... You will recognise them by their fruits... The tree is known by its fruit (Matt. 7:16,20; 12:33; see also Jas. 3:11-12). |
