In a commercial venture, a partnership and a sole proprietor represent two different arrangements for conducting business. A partnership, as the name implies, consists of an association of at least two persons. Conversely, a sole proprietor is equally simple, it’s a single individual.

When it comes to a business venture, there are pros and cons for either approach. But, when it comes to the spiritual realm, there is only one arrangement, a “partnership,” which is acceptable to God for conducting the business of our sanctification. 

To borrow from the late Jerry Bridges, believers have a “dependent responsibility” when it comes to their sanctification. It’s a great phrase worthy of remembering, but requires elaboration. Believers have a clear responsibility for their sanctification, but it’s impossible to pursue holiness apart from God who enables the believer.

The believer is entirely dependent upon the Lord. In fact, it’s really important at this juncture to remind Christians that we have been saved by God’s grace alone through God’s gift of faith alone in Christ Jesus alone. Both our justification and sanctification are wholly a function of the gospel! What was begun in the Spirit is to be completed in the Spirit (cf. Gal. 3:3). 

That’s why I put quotes around the word partnership above, because I’m using the word in an admittedly unconventional sense. After all, when it comes to our sanctification, our “partnership” with God is not a 50/50 arrangement. Rather, God is the “managing partner.”

I know, there I go again with the quotes! Yet, God truly is in charge of our sanctification. For our sake, Christ consecrates himself so we can be sanctified (cf. John 17:19). Indeed, our sanctification is God’s stated will (cf. 1 Thes. 4:3).

Sanctification is the process of spiritual growth by which the believer is progressively conformed to the image of Christ. From Tabletalk Magazine, comes the following definition for sanctification, “the process wherein we more and more die to self and live unto Christ, seeking to obey Him in all things.” 

The simple and direct application of this definition is to live and grow in the likeness of Christ by proactively dying to self. Christians are to live and grow in the likeness of Christ, and die to self, both of which require personal responsibility. However, we need to avoid acting like sole proprietors.   

Frankly, the notion of being a sole proprietor for sanctification scares me to life! Life in Christ, that is. After all, I know myself too well – the sinner. Thankfully, and graciously, we as believers are not left to our own resolve when it comes to our sanctification.

Don’t get me wrong, personal resolve is necessary and good. Paul states, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).  So, the believer is to “work!”

Yet, the very next verse states, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). We are responsible BUT utterly dependent upon God. 

The benefit of having the Spirit of Christ as our “partner” is that He’s the perfect partner. God not only provides us the means of strength for our holiness, but God is our strength!

He has given us, “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises” (2 Peter 1:3-4). 

One of those “great promises” He bestows upon the believer is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, the believer has understanding of God’s word (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12-13).

Through and by the Holy Spirit, God’s written word is provided (cf. 2 Peter 1:21).  Furthermore, it is the Holy Spirit who gifts the man of God to preach the word of God to equip the people of God for the work of service and to grow His people up in every way unto Christ (cf. Eph. 4:11-12). 

What an incredible “partner” we have in the pursuit of holiness! Hold tight Christian to this amazing partner, “….lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-3).