A Different "Just War" Theory

Paul wrote, “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom 8:12–13). Most translations say something like, “if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body.” That is, it’s hard to tell the verb tense there. But the NASB makes it clear this is a continuous present tense—“putting to death.” It is present active indicative—an ongoing, continuous action. We don’t stop.

That’s an interesting idea. It says that our sanctification is an ongoing, continuous putting to death the deeds of the flesh. But that collides with a lot of other views.

For instance, one popular view is the classic “Let go and let God” approach. We don’t do anything. We just “let God work.” Relax. Be happy. This view may feel spiritually exciting, but it doesn’t fit the text. We’re to be executioners of the flesh in our lives at all times. It’s a whole new take on “no rest for the wicked.” So we’re to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12) with the certainty that “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Php 2:13). Yes, He’s working—but so are we.

Another view many prefer is the concept of some sudden event that makes us perfect—something like a “baptism of the Spirit” as a post-conversion experience that suddenly changes you and now you’re all set. That doesn’t fit the term. We don’t stop this side of heaven. As long as we’re alive, we are to be putting to death the deeds of the flesh.

There is Quietism, which suggests we’re to be entirely passive, and Higher Life theology, where we “ascend to a higher plane.” There is holiness by rules, or knowledge, or positive thinking. Some are aware of the dangers of “easy believism,” but there is real danger in “easy sanctification,” too.

Sanctification is not passive, instantaneous, emotional, environmental, intellectual, or sacramental. It is ongoing, continuous, Spirit empowered warfare against the flesh. If we forget that, we put ourselves at risk.