The Sanctification Gap

The Christian life, often perceived as a singular event of conversion, is more accurately understood as a dynamic and ongoing process of transformation. Believers are called not merely to acknowledge Christ, but to embark upon a journey of spiritual growth that reshapes their entire being. This journey, however, frequently encounters a profound tension: the gap between the declared righteousness in Christ and the persistent reality of human imperfection. This “sanctification gap” represents the crucial space where theological understanding meets lived experience, inviting a deeper exploration of God’s work in the human soul.

The Foundational Call to Transformation

The inception of Christian faith marks a pivotal moment when the person of Jesus Christ transitions from a mere concept to a trusted reality. This initial act of receiving Christ initiates a transformative process that extends far beyond a single decision. The gospel, understood as the good news of Christ’s atoning work, is not only the means by which an individual is saved but also the power by which they are continually transformed. This ongoing work necessitates a commitment to what may be termed “foundational practices”—essential disciplines that facilitate spiritual growth and align the believer’s life with divine purposes.

These foundational practices are not presented as a checklist for moral achievement, nor do they intrinsically convey grace or merit. Rather, they function as “means of grace,” opening individuals to the presence and work of God. Through engagement with these practices, believers cultivate increased self-awareness, discerning areas of their lives that honor God and those that reveal persistent struggles. Both the triumphs and the shortcomings become opportunities for deeper communion with the divine, underscoring the truth that any good accomplished is solely through God’s power, not human effort. As the theologian Dallas Willard noted, “Moralism is any attempt to accomplish in our own strength that which can only be accomplished by God.”

This holistic approach to spiritual formation encompasses several key areas: embracing the gospel as both a past event and an ongoing reality; articulating one’s personal testimony of God’s transformative work; intentionally pursuing community as God’s design for shared life; experiencing ongoing freedom through honesty, repentance, and forgiveness; living purposefully by investing eternally according to God’s unique design; serving faithfully as a display of the gospel; giving generously as stewards of divine resources; and celebrating God’s work, even amidst suffering.

Understanding the Christian Struggle

A fundamental aspect of the Christian journey involves confronting the hard reality of human nature. Individuals are inherently sinners, not merely by their actions but by their very nature, inheriting a propensity for living apart from God, as described in the Genesis account.

Genesis 3 (NASB)

1. Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ’Indeed, has God said, ’You shall not eat from any tree of the garden ‘?’ 2. The woman said to the serpent, ’From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3. but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’’ 4. The serpent said to the woman, ’You surely will not die! 5. ‘For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ 6. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make [one] wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. 8. They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ 10. He said, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.’ 11. And He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ 12. The man said, ‘The woman whom You gave [to be] with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.’ 13. Then the LORD God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ And the woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’ 14. The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; 15. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.’ 16. To the woman He said, ‘I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.’ 17. Then to Adam He said, ’Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. 18. ‘Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; 19. By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.’ 20. Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all [the] living. 21. The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. 22. Then the LORD God said, ’Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever ’– 23. therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

This inherent bent towards self-reliance and sin shapes life in the “flesh,” producing outcomes contrary to God’s design. The good news of the gospel intervenes precisely at this point, declaring that though individuals were “dead in their transgressions and sins,” God makes them “alive together with Christ.” Through Christ’s work, believers are declared righteous, a positional truth that stands firm regardless of their lived experience.

Romans 5:1 (NASB) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB) He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Yet, this positional righteousness often appears to contradict daily reality. While declared holy and set apart, believers frequently find themselves acting in ways contrary to their new identity. The Apostle Paul articulated this internal conflict, acknowledging that “nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”

Romans 7:18 (NASB) For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good [is] not.

This struggle, far from being a flaw in the Christian life, is presented as a crucial feature. It is an invitation from God to embark on a journey of living righteously, a task impossible through human strength alone. The fortitude required for this journey is not an internal resource to be mustered but a divine empowerment found only through Christ. The ultimate aim of the Christian faith is not mere moral improvement, but a deep, abiding relationship with God, from which transformation naturally flows. This journey entails learning how to navigate the “messy process of life with God.”

The Process of Progressive Sanctification

The theological term “sanctification” describes the process of being transformed into holiness. This concept encompasses three distinct aspects within the Christian experience. First, positional sanctification refers to the believer’s immediate standing before God, declared holy and righteous through Christ’s sacrifice. When God views a believer, He sees the holiness of Christ, not their sin.

Second, perfect sanctification represents the future state when believers will shed their mortal flesh, assume immortality, and exist in the unadulterated presence of God, entirely free from sin and its effects. This is the ultimate hope of complete transformation.

Finally, progressive sanctification describes the ongoing work of God in the present life, the “messy middle” between initial conversion and ultimate glorification. It is in this phase that believers actively participate in God’s transformative work, as the divine assurance states, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.”

Philippians 1:6 (NASB) [For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

The anchor text for understanding this journey is found in Colossians 2:6-7: “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

Colossians 2:6-7 (NASB) Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in Him, having been firmly rooted [and now] being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, [and] overflowing with gratitude.

This passage underscores the assumption that having received Christ, believers are expected to “walk in Him”—a metaphor for a progressive journey and movement. This “walk” signifies a life lived in accordance with Christ’s newness, not according to the flesh but by the Spirit.

Romans 6:4 (NASB) Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 8:4 (NASB) so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 (NASB) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Galatians 5:24-25 (NASB) Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

The call to be “firmly rooted” in Christ emphasizes His role as the ultimate source of life and strength. Just as a vine provides sustenance to its branches, Christ is the essential connection for believers to bear spiritual fruit, for “apart from Him, you can do nothing.”

John 15:1-5 (NASB) ’I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ’Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every [branch] that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. ’You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ’Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither [can] you unless you abide in Me. ’I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

In Christ, believers find themselves fully forgiven, accepted, known, and loved—a profound source of security and power that mere religious effort cannot provide. Religion, by its nature, is incapable of addressing indwelling sin; only Christ offers this radical transformation. Furthermore, believers are described as “being built up in Him and established in your faith,” highlighting the incremental and continuous nature of spiritual growth, orchestrated by God’s Spirit.

The “Double Knowledge” and Deeper Awareness

As individuals mature spiritually, they often encounter what theologian Jonathan Edwards termed “double knowledge”—a simultaneous increase in the knowledge of God and a deeper, sometimes unsettling, awareness of oneself. This growing self-awareness frequently reveals not a decrease in perceived sinfulness, but a heightened sensitivity to one’s own shortcomings, even in motives. Rather than leading to despair, this profound insight into personal brokenness paradoxically deepens an individual’s appreciation for the boundless love and grace of God.

Edwards articulated this dynamic by stating, “Of all the knowledge that we can ever obtain, the knowledge of God and the knowledge of our self are the most important.” The pursuit of knowing God, therefore, is not merely an intellectual exercise or a means to impress others with biblical trivia. Instead, it serves as a more accurate lens through which to understand the inner landscape of the soul. This process, while potentially uncomfortable as it exposes hidden flaws, ultimately leads to profound gratitude, as the passage in Colossians concludes. The discomfort of spiritual growth, much like the growing pains of a child, signifies a healthy and necessary development in the journey of transformation.

Navigating the Sanctification Gap

The “sanctification gap,” a concept articulated by John Coe, describes the chasm between God’s ideal of holiness for believers and their present, often imperfect, reality. The way individuals perceive and respond to this gap profoundly shapes their spiritual trajectory. Several distinct responses to this gap can be observed:

Unawareness: An individual without a concept of the gospel or the Holy Spirit’s work remains unaware of any spiritual gap. Such persons are powerless to bridge it through their own efforts, as genuine transformation originates solely from divine intervention. For these individuals, the hope lies in embracing the gospel of Christ.

Initial Excitement: A young believer, overwhelmed by the joy of salvation, may initially be so captivated by the gospel that they overlook the existence of a gap. This stage is characterized by fervent passion but often lacks a deeper self-awareness. While a gift, this phase will inevitably transition into a more nuanced understanding of the spiritual journey. Moralistic Striving: Recognizing a gap, some individuals sincerely attempt to close it through self-effort, focusing on behavioral changes. This moralistic approach, characterized by an internal emphasis on self-improvement, places individuals on a “religious treadmill,” exhausting them in a futile attempt to achieve in their own strength what only God can accomplish. Guilt and Shame: When moralistic striving inevitably fails, some believers experience intense shame and guilt. They may internalize the misconception that Christians should not struggle, leading to a sense that something is fundamentally wrong with them. This can create a wall between them and God, hindering open confession and true repentance. Discouragement and Doubt: A deeper level of struggle emerges when individuals begin to question the efficacy of the gospel itself. They wonder if God’s power is sufficient to effect change or close the gap in their lives. This doubt can lead to a fragmented existence, where a “false self” of religious performance is presented publicly, while a private life of indulgence or despair is lived in secret. Such a false self, being inauthentic, cannot truly experience or offer love. Defeat and Resignation: Further along this path, some individuals become utterly defeated, resigning themselves to the management of sin rather than its eradication. They abandon expectations of spiritual growth, adopting a “it is what it is” mentality. This state is marked by an absence of joy and a sense of burden in their religious observance. Despair and Deconstruction: At the most extreme end of the spectrum, individuals may experience profound despair, questioning God’s love, the truth of the Bible, and the validity of their entire faith. This can lead to a “deconstruction” of their beliefs, driven by the intense pain and disillusionment experienced in their spiritual lives.

Hope and Invitation

Regardless of where an individual finds themselves within this spectrum of the sanctification gap, a profound message of hope remains. The initial step towards healing and transformation involves honest self-awareness, inviting God into the reality of one’s current state. It is crucial to recognize that if frustration or defeat has been reached through self-effort, more of the same effort will not yield different results.

Instead, the invitation of Christ stands as a beacon: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB) ’Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ’Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

This promise of rest is not a reward for striving but a gift for those who surrender their burdens. It underscores that the Christian life is meant to be lived in relationship with Christ, not through solitary exertion. Moreover, the unwavering love of God provides an ultimate source of security and hope. As the Apostle Paul declared, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39 (NASB) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This immutable truth assures believers that their position within the sanctification gap, however challenging, does not diminish God’s love. He desires to meet individuals precisely where they are and to lead them on a journey of transformation that is initiated and sustained by Him, not by their own limited control or understanding.

Conclusion

The Christian journey is a dynamic engagement with God, characterized by both the joy of new life and the ongoing tension of progressive sanctification. The “sanctification gap” is a real and often challenging aspect of this walk, yet it is precisely within this tension that the transformative power of the gospel is most profoundly experienced. By embracing foundational practices, understanding the nature of indwelling sin and positional righteousness, and recognizing the “double knowledge” that deepens both self-awareness and appreciation for God’s grace, believers can navigate this journey with hope. Ultimately, the call is to honesty—to lay before God the full reality of one’s struggles and triumphs, trusting that His love is steadfast, His grace is sufficient, and His presence leads to fullness of joy, even amidst the messy process of life with Him.