How Does Sanctification Work?

by David A. Powlison

Many popular views try to reduce the process of Christian growth to a single  Remember past grace. Rehearse your identity in Christ. Avail yourself of the means of grace. Discipline yourself. But Scripture portrays the dynamics of sanctification in a rich variety of ways. No single factor, truth, or protocol can capture why and how a person is changed into the image of Christ. 

Weaving together personal stories, biblical exposition, and theological reflection, David Powlison shows the personal and particular ways that God meets you where you are to produce change. He highlights the variety of factors that work together, helping us to avoid sweeping generalizations and pat answers in the search for a key to sanctification. This book is a go-to resource for understanding the multifaceted, lifelong, personal journey of sanctification. 

Genres: Theology, Counselling, Christian, Christian Living, Discipleship, Nonfiction, Christianity

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, (1949–2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, Good and Angry, Making All Things New, God's Grace in Your Suffering, Safe and Sound, and Take Heart. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powlison’s writing style is discursive, and at times this book reads like a collection of rather disjointed essays. But it was a five-star read for me. The title lowered my expectations, I suspect, because I figured that I’d be familiar with everything he’d say on this topic. Turns out I was not only prideful, but wrong. Powlison approaches the topic from angles I’d never considered. This little volume brims with fresh, striking, counterintuitive insight. It resonated with my experience, and it challenged me afresh to sacrifice my comfort for the good of others.

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest I'm not even sure why this book was written. Maybe it's just not my style. His answer to the title question doesn't seem far removed from "whatever works for you." He gives a few general categories but little to sink your teeth into. And his "case studies" are thin on, well, "study." Read Devoted to God: Blueprints for Sanctification instead.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every sentence in this little, grace-filled book has the weight of decades of counseling experience. Powlison's heart for the Lord, His Word, and His people permeates the book in its entirety, making for an edifying, challenging read. I learned so much from it!!

[Hailey Ziegler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating - 4.7
So many helpful concepts from Powlison regarding the nature of sanctification. While some of his terms confused me, his biblical applications were always spot on.

Read with Ana Quinley for One2One Sep-Nov 2025.

[Scott Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an acceptable primer to sanctification. Unfortunately I found it to compose an overly elaborated description of a single thought: People subjectively experience an objective God.

Due to the sheer depth and complexity of each soul; the (shannon information theory) entropy of progressive sanctification reveals a subjective experience of the objective God.

Mankind experiences life in an abundance of ways and so we cannot as counselors and pastors tailor and identify the fix of every problem in the same way. There are as Powlison mentions no color-coded methodology to fixing they complexity of a human psyche. Contemplative examination of each soul’s story before us and within us is essential to even begin comprehending the varied and beautiful ways that God works out His will of sanctification in and through His people.

An extra thought I picked up from this book is that: Your story matters but we must decrease and remember that others see, feel, and experience everything differently. Take note of the Scriptures that the Spirit lighten amidst your own refinement and you can learn to show others the sweetness of Christ in difficult times.

While the case studies in the end had their moments and introductions to studying the stories of others, I personally wish that Powlsin had recommended further reading for a heart development in story sympathy. He mentions reading exquisite writers such as T.S. Eliot and Doestoevsky in his testimony and I wish he would recommend such for assistance in the development of they comprehension of the complexity of mankind.

[Ben Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Powlison hits on so much that is true about the Christian experience of growing in Christ-likeness, with an emphasis on the heavily nuanced, and "complexities-of-life" reality we need to come to grips with as believers.

In this book he aims to course-correct away from the extreme "just remember the cross" approach to sanctification. In my opinion, however, he goes too far while at the same time trying to have is cake and eat it too.

For example, he spends time pointing out that simply remembering our justification through the cross and resurrection is not enough to overcome sin or despair in many scenarios. I would agree. However, he then proceeds to explain how the accomplishments of the cross shed light on the applicable characteristics of Jesus and what we should mirror as believers. In other words, he builds his "nuanced approach" on the firm foundation of the very gospel of Jesus he says is not nuanced enough.

So I find myself strangely agreeing with Powlison on many of his actual, "nuanced" thoughts but also disagreeing with how nuanced he thinks he is! I think his view still falls short ultimately, with too small a view of God and His pursuit of His own glory, but I was helped by several of Powlison's insights nonetheless. Instead of the ultimate goal of sanctification being our expression of God's love to others (final chapter of this book), I believe the ultimate goal of sanctification is that God be glorified in my growing joy and satisfaction in Him, to His glory praise.

[Katherine B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was good information in this book, but I can't stand Powlison's writing style, so it made it very difficult to read.

[Gareth Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you become sanctified by remembering what Jesus has done for you on the cross and your justification? Are you more holy because you're regularly at church, hearing good preaching, and taking the Lord's Supper? Did you become more Jesus, as you remembered God's sovereignty and plan to work out all things for your good? Have you found accountability groups are helping to make you responsible for your conduct?

Powlison, says in response, "Yes. Maybe. It depends."

Christians often want a simple method that they can follow that'll guarantee their growth in holiness or at least set them on the right path for life. Powlison in this short, simple - but deep book - sets out to tell us that there is no magic fix for making us more like Christ that will work for all people, at all times, in all places.

Too often books on sanctification, or growing in our Christlikeness are based upon an author's personal experience and then extrapolated to cover the whole Christian life (e.g. Jared Wilson's Gospel Wakefulness). Powlison simply says: not so fast. Becoming more like Christ is more difficult than that: God will sanctify us, he'll speak to us through his word, wise Christians will instruct us, suffering will shape us, and we will respond. But what this looks like will vary, just as the people that God has made will vary.

The book concludes with a few case studies of how this works out in individuals lives that may be of benefit to you. Personally I found Powlison's insights in the first half of the book to be worth the price of the book alone.

I heartily recommend this little book on the process of sanctification, especially if you're in Christian Leadership.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER: The title of this book is misleading. The author concludes early on that there is no definite method to the way sanctification works. It's different for every person and every circumstance. Although this may be self-evident to most, still I had hopes for some secret that would help me tap into a reservoir of moral strength in a desperate time of temptation. Can't say that this book points me there, so I finish the volume with a certain disappointment towards the conclusions offered therein.

[Michael Locklear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a short and easy read, yet very encouraging and rich for any believer in Christ Jesus. Powlison lists and discusses five factors involving one's sanctification: God, Scripture, other people, life circumstances and our own human heart. He closes this section by stating: "This is how sanctification works. Your entire Christian life is a series of variations and permutations of this five-dimensional process. This is how you grow. This is how you live. This is how you minister to others, loving them well in their need. This is how you arrive in heaven, seeing Jesus face-to-face..." (p69). Speaking of the growth and process of the believer's life in Christ, Powlison quotes this stirring thought from Martin Luther: "This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished but it is going on. This is not the end but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified" (p92). I want to thank Ron Parrish, Associate Minister at Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia for introducing me to David Powlison's writings and giving me this book.

[Will Standridge, II · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Does Sanctification Work? by Powlison is a great introductory book on the topic of progressive sanctification. One of the highlights of the book was the section on the “5 ways people change.” This was a helpful insight that I will definitely integrate into my counseling with students. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about the concept of progressive sanctification.

[Emma Roland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think David does a great job of expanding a Christian’s idea of sanctification. This book certainly is not another “to do” list in order to feel closer to God. But a book that inspires a believer to seek after God in a personal, specific way that is unique to their walk with God!
I personally adored this book and the chapter titled “Charlotte’s Story” was my favorite. I’ve never related to anything more!

[Aeromama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining: 3/10
Transformational: 5/10

Strange little book. Not bad, not great. I like how it fights against a reductionist view of Sanctification, but I didn't feel that it provided enough meat or strategy or guidance to be useful. The author's use of quotes from case studies felt forced instead of personal.

[Jake Griess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a succinct, easy and practical read about—you guessed it sanctification. The author shares his very humble opinion (albeit after decades of Biblical counseling).

His basic message it that the popular cultural messages of how sanctification work are over-simplified and he offers a multifaceted understanding of sanctification which I found helpful!

I’ll more than likely come back to this one down the road.

[emily spilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really sweet & quick read — its evident that powlison is very pastoral & thoughtful. he had a helpful integration of personal stories & scripture. the gospel was very evident & there were so many good reminders of the benefit of our salvation in christ.

[Rubia Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do think this was beautiful and started to get into some things I’d been thinking about related to how and why we change! It’s hard to write such a short book on such an exhaustive subject, and I struggled with aspects of the book while simultaneously appreciating the stories woven in.

[Jacob Guenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book spoke to me so poignantly that it makes me feel like I wrote it because the thoughts resounded so true.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: At the close of his Gospel, John stands back and considers all that he has witnessed over a lifetime: “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). I love the juxtaposition of those two sentences. The fact that John left out innumerable stories prompts a cosmic leap of insight and imagination. He has just finished a sixteen-thousand-word book—slightly shorter than the short book you are holding. But the whole earth could not hold all the other books that could be written about what Jesus did!

Premise/plot: David Powlison has written a practical book about sanctification. Doctrine concerns daily life, believers are to live out their beliefs. So Powlison sets out to answer the question: how does sanctification work?!

First, he defines sanctification for his readers:

"Sanctify has a past tense, a present tense, and future tense. In the past tense, your sanctification has already happened. You are a saint—an identity for which you get no credit! God decisively acted by making you his very own in Christ. You have been saved. In the present tense, your sanctification is now being worked out. God is working throughout your life—on a scale of days, years, and decades—to remake you into the likeness of Jesus. You are being progressively sanctified. You are being saved. In the future tense, your sanctification will be perfected. You will live. Your love will be perfected. You will see God’s face when he decisively acts to complete his work of conforming you to the image of Jesus. You will participate in the glory of God himself. You will be saved."

He continues, "To be sanctified is to have your faith simplified, clarified, and deepened. You need God. You know God. You love God. You see life, God, yourself, others more truly. And to grow as a saint is to grow in actually loving people. How other people are doing matters increasingly to you. You care. You help."

By the end of the book, he's super concise: "Sanctification means pointedly, freely, genuinely loving other people."

Some of the questions addressed in this book: "When you look closely at people’s lives, how do they actually change? Where do they get stuck? What does change—and what doesn’t change? What is the process like? What are the typical ups and downs? How do you explain the advances and the regressions? How do we help each other? How does Scripture actually function in altering people’s hearts and choices? How does trusting the God you need to trust connect to loving the people you need to love? What is the dynamic by which receiving grace becomes giving grace? How does the inworking hand and voice of the Spirit become expressed in the outworking of tangible fruit of the Spirit? And how do ministries of words, care, and action actually influence change in someone else?"

To answer these questions, you don't need abstract theology and textbook definitions. You need real stories too. He embraces the notion that believers are individuals, that details matter, and that there's no one-size-fit-all experience that is sanctification.

"We need stories and word pictures, both from Scripture and from the testimonies of daily life. We need to understand how Scripture illumines and connects to our current situation. We need practical help to work out the implications and applications for who we are, for where we struggle, for what we face. We need Jesus to be present—the Lord who is my Shepherd, the Lord who watches over my going out and my coming in. Scripture vividly and inductively demonstrates how these truths get traction and get personal. We need to get traction and get personal. We need other people. We need to hear and take to heart other people’s stories. We need God’s creation. We need to understand our times. We need honesty about ourselves. We need fresh object lessons. We need embodied faith and love. We need many different wisdoms to illumine the different parts of life."

Powlison advocates for unbalancing and rebalancing truths to answer some of these hard questions.
"Ministry “unbalances” truth for the sake of relevance; theology “rebalances” truth for the sake of comprehensiveness."
"The whole truth is as wide as human experience, as deep as the human heart, and as unfathomable as the God who weighs all things and intervenes in all things."
"This is how Jesus ministers. In the Gospels, he chooses to say and emphasize certain things, unbalancing the whole truth in order to say the relevant, timely word. When he talks with people, he is astonishingly concrete, direct, specific. He is not comprehensive or abstract. This is because the Gospels capture a series of ministry moments in which Jesus gives people what they need and can handle. By saying one thing, not everything, he is always challenging, always life rearranging, always nourishing those who are listening."
"Ministry electrifies when it connects something to someone rather than trying to say everything to no one in particular."
So how does he ultimately answer the question?! He gives readers a framework for understanding the process of sanctification. The five factors for sanctification are: God changes you, the truth changes you, wise people change you, suffering and struggle change you, and finally you change you. These are super-inter-connected factors.

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. It is a very quick read. But it is not a waste of time. He packs a lot of rich insight into a short book. It is practical. It is biblical. He writes in a concise way to address real questions. I found it to be a very thought-provoking read.

Favorite quotes:
"God seems to love variety. You and I do not reduce to a category. Our Father is raising children, and every child I’ve ever known is unique. You cannot live someone else’s story."
"If your life is in fact a journey, then Psalm 23 maps the route and reminds you about the company you keep. Our companion is alert, amiable, generous, and strong. He willingly walks with us. He is looking out for us. We face troubles of many kinds. But he will never leave us or forsake us. We know from other Scripture that this Shepherd even laid down his life for his beloved sheep. And we know that we are his sheep because we recognize his voice speaking to us. We know he is taking us to his home. That is one kind of journey. But life can go other ways. Psalm 1 keys the entire book of Psalms by inviting each of us to ask, “How will my life turn out? What will happen to me?” Not all the answers are happy. Some ways of living come to be nothing but chaff and can be blown away into nothingness by a puff of wind." ~ John Newton
"Without a Good Shepherd, we script our lives to the opposite of Psalm 23, to an antipsalm of foolish hopes. Life is still a journey, and we still head toward a destination; the difficulties and threats along the way are identical. But everything else is different."
"Antipsalms build a life journey on the premise that the Lord is not present and active. Here are the premises that orient a popular contemporary version of the antipsalm. It starts out with a heady, self-confident affirmation of faith: • I can take care of myself. • I am basically a good person. • I can pursue and achieve my goals. • I am confident in myself and my abilities. • I say what I think and do what I want. But in the long run, like all the antipsalms, this faith betrays its believers. When the Lord is not your Shepherd, the outcome and destination are predictable: • I am alone. No one looks out for me or looks after me. • I am empty, needy, restless, and unsafe. • When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I have no protector. • I fear the bad things that can happen to me. • Other people let you down or hurt you. • In the end you lose every good thing you ever had. • Death is my shepherd."

[Eric Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are plenty of gold nuggets in this book but I struggled a bit with it. Perhaps because of its brevity, he gives a bit of everything but flows quickly to other points almost spontaneously, making some of the connections difficult to draw, especially from the case studies. Perhaps this should be a succinct primer to more detailed works from the CCEF curriculum, as many of the nuggets here are also found in Tripp's Instruments in the Redeemers' Hand as well as Powlison's larger works.

"Christ was led by His love for others into the world, to forget Himself in the needs of others, to sacrifice self once for all upon the altar of sympathy. Self-sacrifice brought Christ into the world. And self-sacrifice will lead us, His followers, not away from but into the midst of men. Wherever men suffer, there will we be to comfort. Wherever men strive, there will we be to help. Wherever men fail, there will be we to uplift. Wherever men succeed, there will we be to rejoice. Self-sacrifice means not indifference to our times and our fellows: it means absorption in them. It means forgetfulness of self in others. It means entering into every man’s hopes and fears, longings and despairs: it means manysidedness of spirit, multiform activity, multiplicity of sympathies. It means richness of development. It means not that we should live one life, but a thousand lives,—binding ourselves to a thousand souls by the filaments of so loving a sympathy that their lives become ours. It means that all the experiences of men shall smite our souls and shall beat and batter these stubborn hearts of ours into fitness for their heavenly home. It is, after all, then, the path to the highest possible development, by which alone we can be made truly men. Not that we shall undertake it with this end in view. This were to dry up its springs at their source. We cannot be self-consciously self-forgetful, selfishly unselfish. Only, when we humbly walk this path, seeking truly in it not our own things but those of others, we shall find the promise true, that he who loses his life shall find it. Only, when, like Christ, and in loving obedience to His call and example, we take no account of ourselves, but freely give ourselves to others, we shall find, each in his measure, the saying true of himself also: “Wherefore also God hath highly exalted him.” The path of self-sacrifice is the path to glory"

- BB Warfield (cited by Powlison)

[John Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a mild polemic against the “hyper grace” perspective of Fitzpatrick and Tchividjian. Thankfully, it’s much more than that. I find Powlison’s perspective on sanctification as biblical as it is practical. In fact, this little book might be the most practical explanation of sanctification I’ve ever read. Best sentence: “ministry electrifies when it connects something to someone rather than trying to say everything to no one in particular.”

[Trent Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third time through this work. This book, particularly its thesis, is a crucial application of sanctification and more broadly pastoral ministry. Powlison’s writing style here is admittedly a bit much, but there is also something about his writing style that slows my world down. If I am honest, I am afraid of future tragedies I will face in my life, but the reflections of this saint now in glory give me hope - and practical steps - to keep going and help others do the same.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, like everything David Powlison writes. This book is short and its pre-history as a series of Journal of Biblical Counseling articles is evident. But it's still a gold mine.

Reread in Jun 2025 - if six stars were possible, I'd give it. Such a gem.

[Bob Schilling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first 8 chapters - the last three fizzled out for me. It makes me wonder if even the first eight chapters could've been abridged and the whole thing reduced to a pithy booklet.

That being said, the first eight chapters contain some excellent material that I will be incorporating not only into my own life, but into my toolbox of material to use in helping others. The best material for me was in:

> Ch. 6, "What Changes You?" - He has a simple, practical grid of the basic "Five Factors of Sanctification."
- Foundationally, God changes you.
- Secondly, The Word of Truth changes you.
- Third, Wise People change you.
- Fourth, Suffering and Struggling changes you.
- Finally, You change.

"Constructive change occurs through the interplay of these five factors: God, Scripture, other People, Life Circumstances, and the Human Heart."

"Foolishness either overcomplicates or oversimplifies."

> Ch. 2, "Is there One Key to Sanctification?" This is his great critique of the idea that there's a master-key to the Christian life, some fool-proof, secret principle that changes everything for everyone. We tend to think that the thing that revolutionizes everything for me, must be "the key" for everyone. But we're too complex and the Word and life is too diverse for there to be one master key solution. "Theological fads and fashions come and go" - but part of the counsel of God was never intended to give us the benefits of "the whole counsel of God." New days come and new challenges arise, and we have to keep on pressing on. Our variety of needs and the varieties of helps necessarily defy "reductionism." There is no single key.

"Progressive sanctification is about how we live in between God's laying the cornerstone and setting the capstone."

> Ch. 3, "Truth Unbalanced and Rebalancing" - If I might reword David's principle, slightly, In ministry, we over-emphasize one aspect of truth for the sake of application. In David's words, "Ministry unbalances truth for the sake of relevance; theology rebalances truth for the sake of comprehensiveness." We can only say one thing at a time and a person, practically, can only work on one thing at a time. So we make much of a single thing, and then always try to bring it back into alignment with the whole of life and the whole counsel of God.

"You do not build a house with only one tool in your toolbox when God gives you a truckload of tools. But you use your tools one at a time, the right tool for the right job."

"In the long run, a single truth harped on will disappoint even its devotees."

> 5. "We Are Sanctified By Remembering Our Justification." Throughout the book, David Powlison has been coming back to the concrete, recent example of a sanctification key, advocated by many: Remember the past grace of justification; Repreach the gospel to yourself every day; Realize that you are accepted by God because of the merits of Christ, not your own. In this chapter he highlights that this is certainly one of the tools in our toolbox - sometimes this is the very thing we need for progress in sanctification. But it is but one part of a larger whole. A greater point to always have in mind is that God is for us: He was, is, still is, and always will be for us. Don't just look to past grace, but also to present grace and future grace, as well as many other useful motivations.

David's personal testimonies in chapters 7 and 8 are rich. He weaves in the interplay of the five agents of change. Very good.

"There is a reason that 'Don't be afraid" (in all its variants) is the most common command in all of Scripture."

There is also a beautiful section in the last chapter describing the contrast between the peace of the believer exemplified in a text like Psalm 23, and the "anti-psalm" emptiness of the unbeliever whose life ends at the end of the valley of the shadow of death.

Very good, but a bit disappointing to me. Powlison is true physician of the soul. When he speaks I want to listen.

I would recommend Kevin DeYoung's, "The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness" as an additional and very satisfying book on this subject.

[Rick Dobrowolski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick little book that can be read in a couple of hours at normal speed. Its value is found in chapters 3 & 11. Those chapters alone are worth purchasing the book for and deserve 5 stars. I especially loved the concept of unbalanced and rebalanced truth that was shared. Powlison draws from decades of experience and wisdom as a Christian counselor who has proven himself very astute with Scripture and humanity.

I appreciated the aspects of advice sharing that he mentions: no one truth reigns supreme in all situations. Jesus sought to bring to light certain truths to certain people, and the truth that was brought out was relevant to the individual's situation. This rings true to me as a pastor. Most of counseling is seeking out what emphases of Scripture to shine unto someone's life.

The case studies were shaky to me. I appreciate that Powlison brings his individual story out - I hadn't heard his background before and this made me appreciate the man and his work even more. The other case studies seems slightly arbitrary to me and were not helpful in thinking through the truths presented elsewhere in the book.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

[Isaac Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book! I hope you will pick up a copy, read it, and reread it. Don't be put off by its brevity (123 pages including end notes and indices). There is depth here. Powlison rejects a "one-size-fits-all" understanding of sanctification, calling for "multiple mundane examples" of Christian growth--calling, in short, for stories of real people in real circumstances, people in and through whom God works in a great variety of ways to deepen faith (vertical transformation) and enlarge love (horizontal transformation). There are several great "take aways" in this book: seven implications of the cross of Christ, five cooperating elements of sanctification, three features of the stories people tell when they describe how God works in their lives to bring about change, and, on top of that, three great stories of growth in grace. I highly recommend David Powlison's How Does Sanctification Work? It won't take you long to read, and it will repay the time you invest with multiple dividends.

[Jeff Skipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short, but as with anything Powlison writes, it was good. He addresses the various & multifaceted ways we are changed/sanctified. If for nothing else, get this book to hear how he speaks into the popular "just remember the cross"/"We are sanctified by remembering our justification" idea (the title of the 5th chapter). Powlison argues that there are many ways we grow in Christ, and although remembering our identity in Jesus is true, good, and vital(!), it can also be misleading/incomplete/reductionistic if this is the ONLY way we ever tell people how we grow in Christ (This "remember/look back" is great for performance-oriented people, but not everyone struggles with that--Powlison himself says that it's never been a big struggle for him. I think we forget this...). Rather, He puts forward that we are changed in 5 ways: by God, Scripture, wise people, challenging life circumstances, and ourselves--"the story of your life in Christ is composed of these elements" (chapter 6). He presents a more biblically wholistic picture of the process of sanctification, and I needed to hear it.

[Brian Pate · Rating 1 out of 5]

With all due respect to Powlison, this is not a helpful book. It was not clear what he was reacting against, and so I was unsure of what he was trying to say.

Some good points: He says we should not say the same mantra in every counseling situation. Okay (not sure who would do that). He explains "how sanctification works" in ch. 6 (only 9 pages). God uses truth, struggles, other people, and we must respond. Got it.

But the impetus behind the book was to correct "the prevalence of 'Just remember the cross' teachings about sanctification" (53). I couldn't tell who he was reacting against. If he's correcting the widely rejected ideas of Tullian, then good.

But if Powlison is pushing back against gospel-based sanctification, then I totally disagree. Obviously "remember the cross" is not a secret formula to cure all that ails you. Yet, sanctification is truly based on and fueled by the gospel. "Holiness is nothing but the implanting, writing, and realizing of the gospel in our souls" (John Owen). Rather than caution against this truth, we need to lean into it and explore it more fully and live it out more powerfully.

I'm sure Powlison agreed with gospel-based sanctification. In that case, this book is very unclear and unhelpful.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missing from these pages is the caring grandparent extolling wisdom. Instead this book, unlike other of the late Dr. Powlison’s books and most CCEF material felt rather forced. Reactive rather than responsive.

The first few chapters are fantastic, laying the groundwork that progressive sanctification doesn’t follow a typical STEP A STEP B STEP C process, but rather looks different for different people.

But everything past that, other than Powlisons conversion story just feels forced.

I would still recommend this book to someone who prescribes to the idea that sanctification only works one way.

I am curious as to what or who he was reacting to in writing this book.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most helpful thing I've taken from this helpful book, is the reminder that our sanctification as Christians doesn't take place as a result of just one thing. We are prone to look for, or to think, that there is one special key to growing in grace - whether that is remembering our justification, or our union with Christ or whatever. The fact is, God changes us through these and other means that all function to make us more like Jesus.
Reading David Powlinson's own personal testimony was an encouragement personally, because I find myself relating to his experience so much.
He uses helpful illustrations throughout. Very good. Warmly recommended.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re anything like me and can quickly get swept up in introspection, struggling with your sanctification at times, and wondering whether God is working in you or not, this will be very valuable. I and others I know quickly grow tired of the endless cliche statements and advice, however good and biblical they are. “Just get back in the word,” talk to your elders yet?” Struggling with sin?” “How’s your prayer life?” “Looks like the devil is buffeting you!” As if all those statements and questions and other “get sanctified quick” schemes haven’t passed through our heads thousands of times.

What Powlison does, per usual, is take what we know to be true, add it to things we often forget, present it in a way that resonates with people who need to read something like this, and then walks you through it humbly and helpfully. This one is worth your time.