Spirit, effected not by a momentary act but by degrees, and never
perfected in this life.

Upon all who truly receive the Lord Jesus a change is wrought by the
Holy Spirit of God, which results in holiness. Looking unto Jesus, they
behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and are changed into the
same image. The transformation which they undergo extends to every part
of their being. The subject of sanctification is the whole man. The
understanding, will, conscience, memory, affections are all renewed in
their operations, and the members of the body become instruments of
righteousness unto holiness. As believers are enabled to die unto sin,
they live unto righteousness. Being renewed in the inner man by the
Divine Spirit, they bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. Their desire
is after holiness, for they know that the restoration of holiness is the
end for which Jesus died and for which the Spirit works. "Christ loved
the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse
it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to
himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such
thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."[187] Now, the
Church is marred by many blemishes, but her imperfection is for a time
only. When her period of work and probation is accomplished she will be
purged and perfected, and will be a church without spot or wrinkle.
Meantime she is the Holy Church because her Head is holy, and because
she is called out of the world and consecrated to the service of God.
She is holy because she is the body of Christ, of whose fulness she
receives, and whose graces she reflects, and because it is through her
teaching, prayers, and institutions that the Holy Spirit usually works
and influences men to follow holiness. The ministry, the preaching, the
sacraments, the laws, and the discipline of the Church have as their end
the turning of men from their sins and persuading them to follow