Review of Sanctification in the Everyday by John Piper | @desiringgod
Upon the conclusion of his nine month sabbatical in 2010 John Piper preached three sermons reflecting on several things he had learned about sanctification during his time off. Editors brought these three sermons together in the book Sanctification in the Everyday. In the book Piper is very honest about many of the sins he struggled with, giving some examples of particular situations where he had to battle with his own sinful nature. Piper addresses several issues in this book. This review focuses on three major concepts he explains.
First, he reminds his reader that sanctification is rooted in justification. He writes, "The reason there is a way of life that fits the gospel is that what happened on the cross of Christ not only cancels the sin (ours) and completes the perfection (his) that grounds our justification, but in doing that, also unleashes the power of our sanctification (12)."* In other words, the reality of our justification in Christ enables us to experience sanctification in our everyday lives. A person cannot pursue sanctification before he has been justified before God. Most of the time people do not think in the terms presented here. People, however, do think that they need to have their lives together before they can come to Christ. They try to do good, earning favor in God's eyes. These people must be reminded that grace comes before law, and that they cannot do good apart from the gospel.
Second, Piper challenges people to engage their wills in the fight against sin (19). This section was helpful because it reminds people that sanctification is not a passive action in which the person being sanctified does not play a role. The person must engage his or her will and actively fight temptation, using outward conformity at times to kill the sinful desires within the flesh. Piper does a great job of showing how the person works out his own salvation, while at the same time God is working in the person to bring about the salvation. He reminds his reader that mere outward conformity is not enough, but it is a step in the right direction.
Third, he shows how the promise of a future resurrection impacts people's present sanctification (62). He asserts:
So, one crucial point for Paul is that our death with Christ guarantees the life and glory of our future believing. This is utterly crucial to experience the present power of Christ's resurrection in our lives. Believing that our future is gloriously secure and happy in Christ is one way we experience the power of Christ now to free us from sin (62).
Piper clearly explains how the hope of a future resurrection spurs a person on to sanctification when he walks the reader through Romans 6:5-10. He challenges people to use the hope of their future resurrection to actively kill the sin they presently struggle to overcome. This one section alone is worth reading the book.
Sanctification in the Everyday leads its reader to consider his or her own personal sins, shows him or her how to battle against it, and continually points him or her back to the gospel as the only hope for freedom from the power of sin. This book is extremely practical and easy to read. It would be helpful for any follower of Christ,, spurring them on to greater sanctification and growth in godliness.
