The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Synergistic or Not?

This quote:

"Every aspect of Sanctification is Monergistic.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
*The branch only BRINGS FORTH what is supplied to it by the vine. No branch brings forth fruit in and of itself. The Christian only brings forth fruit as it is produced Monergistically by the Holy Spirit."

While it is true that we only work out what the Holy Spirit works in, the Holy Spirit does not believe for us, pray for us, serve for us. So in regard to sanctification wouldn't it be more accurate to say that it is synergistic? I realize that some people want to interpret this as contributing to salvation which confuses justification with sanctification.

Am I off track here?

You are on the right track! The regenerated believer is truly indwelt by the Holy Spirit who guides, motivates and guards this person in all things unto sanctification. However, as you rightly wrote, the Holy Spirit does not repent, believe, strive after holiness, put on the new man, etc., etc. This is the responsibility of the person made possible by the Spirit's work within, e.g.,

Because our 'good works' which the believer is ordained unto (Eph 2:10) to WALK therein are imperfect, they are of no value to obtaining justification. Sanctification is the EVIDENCE/FRUIT of justification; not the mediate cause of justification. In Paul's epistles, typically the second half of them, he speaks to the matter of sanctification with myriad "do's & don'ts" which are addressed to the believer. IF sanctification is monergistic, then Paul would be addressing the Holy Spirit which would be total nonsense.