--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Progressive sanctification is not a…" description: "\"“Progressive sanctification is not a partnership with the Spirit in the sense that we each - the believer and the Holy Spirit - do our respective tasks..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/jerry-bridges-1451_holy-spirit_progressive-sanctification-is-not-a-part_2703925.jpg" --- # Progressive sanctification is not a partnership with the… ![“Progressive sanctification is not a partnership with the Spirit in the sense that we each - the believer and the Holy Spirit - do our respective tasks. Rather, we work as He enables us to work. His work lies behind all our work and makes our work possible.” quote by Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/jerry-bridges-1451_holy-spirit_progressive-sanctification-is-not-a-part_2703925.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/jerry-bridges-1451_holy-spirit_progressive-sanctification-is-not-a-part_2703925.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/jerry-bridges-1451_holy-spirit_progressive-sanctification-is-not-a-part_2703925.jpg) > ““Progressive sanctification is not a partnership with the Spirit in the sense that we each - the believer and the Holy Spirit - do our respective tasks. Rather, we work as He enables us to work. His work lies behind all our work and makes our work possible.”” [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sanctification is a cooperative work where the Holy Spirit empowers believers, not a separate task list. **In simple terms:** We work as God enables us. Key Takeaway Rely on divine enablement. Themes faith spiritual growth cooperation Mood reflective encouraging Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal prayer - church service - daily decisions - spiritual disciplines Key Concepts sanctification empowerment divine agency Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize the Spirit’s enablement? - What tasks feel divinely empowered? A Different Perspective Human effort alone cannot achieve sanctification. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Holy spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-spirit/) [Sanctification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanctification/) ## Related quotes > [“Sanctification comes from the Holy Spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/sanctification-comes-from-the-holy-spirit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Grace stands in direct opposition to any supposed worthiness on our part. To say it another way: Grace and works are mutually exclusive. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/grace-stands-in-direct-opposition-to-any-supposed-worthiness-on-our/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“God never grants justification without also giving sanctification at the same time ... Sanctification in us begins as an instantaneous act of the Holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/god-never-grants-justification-without-also-giving-sanctification-at/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Don't believe everything you think. You cannot be trusted to tell yourself the truth. Stay in The Word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/don-t-believe-everything-you-think-you-cannot-be-trusted-to-tell/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in us whereby our inner being is progressively changed, freeing us more and more from sinful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/sanctification-is-the-work-of-the-holy-spirit-in-us-whereby-our-inner/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [...God has made provision for our holiness. Through Christ He has delivered us from sin's reign so that we now can resist sin. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/god-has-made-provision-for-our-holiness-through-christ-he-has/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Sanctification is not a work of nature, but a work of grace. It is a transformation of character effected not by moral influences, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/sanctification-is-not-a-work-of-nature-but-a-work-of-grace-it-is-a/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [Sanctification is that inward spiritual work which the Lord Jesus Christ works in a man by the Holy Spirit when He calls him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/sanctification-is-that-inward-spiritual-work-which-the-lord-jesus/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [We could not take one step in the pursuit of holiness if God in His grace had not first delivered us from the dominion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-could-not-take-one-step-in-the-pursuit-of-holiness-if-god-in-his/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [... self-control is not control by oneself through one's own willpower but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/self-control-is-not-control-by-oneself-through-one-s-own-willpower/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“We must be careful to let the Holy Spirit do this searching. If we try to search our own hearts, we are apt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-must-be-careful-to-let-the-holy-spirit-do-this-searching-if-we-try/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“With the veil removed by the rending of Jesus' flesh, with nothing on God's side to prevent us from entering, why do we tarry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/with-the-veil-removed-by-the-rending-of-jesus-flesh-with-nothing-on/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [The starting point of sanctification is the filthiness, corruption, or stain of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ames/the-starting-point-of-sanctification-is-the-filthiness-corruption-or/) [William Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ames/) > [“Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is at work, one of the discernible evidences of His presence is changed personalities. Men can and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-e-adams/wherever-the-spirit-of-the-lord-is-at-work-one-of-the-discernible/) [Jay E. Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-e-adams/) > [“Expressed in theological terms, “In justification our own works have no place at all, and simple faith in Christ is the one thing needful.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-l-brown/expressed-in-theological-terms-in-justification-our-own-works-have-no/) [Michael L. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-l-brown/) ## More by Jerry Bridges > [We must allow the Bible to say what is says, not what we think it ought to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-must-allow-the-bible-to-say-what-is-says-not-what-we-think-it/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 PETER 3:18)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/grow-in-the-grace-and-knowledge-of-our-lord-and-savior-jesus-christ-2/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [It is not the fact that we are united in common goals or purposes that makes us a community. Rather, it is the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/it-is-not-the-fact-that-we-are-united-in-common-goals-or-purposes/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [A son or daughter in any human family is either born to or adopted by the parents. By definition, a child can't be both.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/a-son-or-daughter-in-any-human-family-is-either-born-to-or-adopted-by/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“We must be careful to let the Holy Spirit do this searching. If we try to search our own hearts, we are apt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-must-be-careful-to-let-the-holy-spirit-do-this-searching-if-we-try/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“Though the power for godly character comes from Christ, the responsibility for developing and displaying that character is ours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/though-the-power-for-godly-character-comes-from-christ-the/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [God's Word must be so strongly fixed in our minds that it becomes the dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/god-s-word-must-be-so-strongly-fixed-in-our-minds-that-it-becomes-the/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [The cure for impatience with the fulfillment of God's timetable is to believe His promises, obey His will, and leave the results to Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/the-cure-for-impatience-with-the-fulfillment-of-god-s-timetable-is-to/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [In a sermon entitled “God's Providence,” C. H. Spurgeon said, “Napoleon once heard it said, that man proposes and God disposes. 'Ah,' said Napoleon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/in-a-sermon-entitled-god-s-providence-c-h-spurgeon-said-napoleon-once/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Patience is the ability to suffer a long time under the mistreatment of others without growing resentful or bitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/patience-is-the-ability-to-suffer-a-long-time-under-the-mistreatment/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Jesus said, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). We must honestly face the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/jesus-said-any-of-you-who-does-not-give-up-everything-he-has-cannot/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [We ought to be as earnest and frequent in our prayers of thanksgiving when the cupboard is full as we would be in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-ought-to-be-as-earnest-and-frequent-in-our-prayers-of-thanksgiving/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [... self-control is not control by oneself through one's own willpower but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/self-control-is-not-control-by-oneself-through-one-s-own-willpower/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [The fruit of patience in all its aspects - long-suffering, forbearance, endurance, and perseverance - is a fruit that is most intimately associated with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/the-fruit-of-patience-in-all-its-aspects-long-suffering-forbearance/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Bitterness arises in our hearts when we do not trust in the sovereign rule of God in our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/bitterness-arises-in-our-hearts-when-we-do-not-trust-in-the-sovereign/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) [Explore all 234 Jerry Bridges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) ## More Holy spirit quotes > [The purpose of a spirit filled life is to demonstrate the supernatural power of our living God so that the unsaved multitudes will abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-l-osborn/the-purpose-of-a-spirit-filled-life-is-to-demonstrate-the/) [T.L. Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-l-osborn/) > [“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/do-all-the-good-you-can-by-all-the-means-you-can-in-all-the-ways-you/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“Sanctification comes from the Holy Spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/sanctification-comes-from-the-holy-spirit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Jesus' kingdom was not like the popular expectation. He used the phrase 'kingdom of God' with a different meaning. His kingdom was not of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-harpur/jesus-kingdom-was-not-like-the-popular-expectation-he-used-the-phrase/) [Tom Harpur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-harpur/) > [“We are inflamed, by Thy Gift we are kindled; and are carried upwards; we glow inwardly, and go forwards. We ascend Thy ways that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/we-are-inflamed-by-thy-gift-we-are-kindled-and-are-carried-upwards-we/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [Ideally, when Christians meet, as Christians do, to take counsel together, their purpose is not ( or should not be) to ascertain what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/ideally-when-christians-meet-as-christians-do-to-take-counsel/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [“Liturgy gathers the holy community as it reads the Holy Scriptures into the sweeping tidal rhythms of the church year in which the story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/liturgy-gathers-the-holy-community-as-it-reads-the-holy-scriptures/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [When the Holy Spirit comes into your life and you allow Him take charge of your life, He'll bring in the anointing. The anointing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-oyakhilome/when-the-holy-spirit-comes-into-your-life-and-you-allow-him-take/) [Chris Oyakhilome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-oyakhilome/) > [Intellectual methods-study and reason-are essential to our progress toward eternal life, but they are not sufficient. They can prepare the way. They can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/intellectual-methods-study-and-reason-are-essential-to-our-progress/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [“Jesus was not just a man filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or blessed with the presence of God, like the prophets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-g-norris/jesus-was-not-just-a-man-filled-with-the-baptism-of-the-holy-spirit/) S.G. Norris > [Whoever will not love his enemies cannot know the Lord and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silouan-the-athonite/whoever-will-not-love-his-enemies-cannot-know-the-lord-and-the/) [Silouan the Athonite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silouan-the-athonite/) > [“The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God's Word you know and love, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-spirit-inspired-the-word-and-therefore-he-goes-where-the-word/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“Reality is what we notice on the surface – what we feel or see, what superficial perspectives we might gain, for example, from television's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marva-j-dawn/reality-is-what-we-notice-on-the-surface-what-we-feel-or-see-what/) [Marva J. Dawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marva-j-dawn/) > [“The Holy Spirit is the most influential mentor in your life. He is always willing to teach and guide you in all Truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alisa-hope-wagner/the-holy-spirit-is-the-most-influential-mentor-in-your-life-he-is/) [Alisa Hope Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alisa-hope-wagner/) [Browse all 1,879 Holy spirit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-spirit/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Progressive sanctification is not a partnership with the Spirit in the sense that we each - the believer and the Holy Spirit - do our respective tasks. Rather, we work as He enables us to work. 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