Justification and sanctification are two important biblical doctrines that describe the process of salvation. While they are closely related, there are key differences between justification and sanctification.
Justification
Justification refers to God’s act of declaring a sinner righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. When a person puts their faith in Christ, God legally declares them justified, or righteous in His sight (Romans 3:21-26). This justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Good works or obedience to the law cannot justify a person before God (Galatians 2:16). Justification is a one-time legal declaration by God that changes a person’s standing before Him.
Key aspects of justification include:
- It is an act of God’s grace whereby He declares a sinner righteous (Romans 3:24)
- It is received by faith alone, not by works or keeping the law (Romans 3:28)
- Sinners are justified by Christ’s righteousness imputed to them, not their own righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- It results in peace with God and access to His grace (Romans 5:1-2)
- It is a one-time legal declaration that cannot be lost or reversed (Romans 8:1)
In summary, justification is God’s act of forgiving a sinner and declaring them righteous in His sight, based solely on the righteousness of Christ, received through faith alone.
Sanctification
Sanctification, on the other hand, is the process of being set apart for God’s purposes and conformed to the image of Christ. While justification happens at a specific point in time, sanctification is an ongoing, lifelong process. Theologians typically identify two types of sanctification:
Definitive (or Positional) Sanctification
This refers to a believer being set apart in Christ and made holy through their union with Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11). This sanctification occurs at salvation and is complete and definitive. In Christ, believers are seen as righteous and perfect before God.
Progressive Sanctification
This is the practical working out of sanctification in a believer’s life whereby they grow in godliness and Christlikeness. It involves putting sin to death and becoming more like Christ through obedience to the Word, the Holy Spirit’s work, and God’s discipline (John 17:17, Romans 6:19, Hebrews 12:14). This begins at salvation but continues progressively throughout the Christian life.
Key aspects of sanctification include:
- It is the process of being set apart for God’s purposes (1 Peter 2:9)
- It leads to spiritual growth and maturity in Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8)
- It involves dying to sin and living to righteousness (Romans 6:11-14)
- It is empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- It results in bearing fruit for God’s kingdom (Romans 7:4)
- It is progressive and continues throughout the Christian life (2 Corinthians 7:1)
In summary, sanctification is the process by which believers are made holy, set apart for God’s purposes, and conformed to the image of Christ.
Differences Between Justification and Sanctification
While justification and sanctification are closely tied together in the salvation process, there are key differences:
- Timing: Justification happens at a point in time whereas sanctification is an ongoing process.
- Basis: Justification is based on Christ’s righteousness alone received through faith, not works. Sanctification is the work of the believer empowered by the Spirit.
- Nature: Justification is a legal declaration by God. Sanctification is the actual growth in holiness and Christlikeness.
- Completeness: Justification is complete and finished. Sanctification is incomplete and continues throughout life.
- Perspective: Justification focuses on the believer’s position and standing before God. Sanctification focuses on the believer’s spiritual condition.
In summary:
- Justification is the one-time declaration of righteousness before God.
- Sanctification is the lifelong process of being made righteous and conformed to Christ’s image.
The Relationship Between Justification and Sanctification
While having key differences, justification and sanctification also have an inseparable, interconnected relationship in the salvation process. Here are some ways they relate to one another:
- Justification precedes sanctification – God declares a believer righteous in Christ before the process of sanctification begins.
- Sanctification flows from justification – The legal declaration of righteousness provides the basis for growth in righteousness.
- Sanctification gives evidence of justification – Growing Christlikeness demonstrates the reality of being justified.
- Justification is the source of power for sanctification – Union with Christ enables believers to live righteously.
- Sanctification never contributes to justification – Works cannot justify, only faith in Christ.
- Justification is distinct but never separated from sanctification – They are two aspects of God graciously working in the life of every believer.
In summary, while distinct, justification and sanctification work together in the salvation process. Justification removes the penalty and guilt of sin while sanctification removes the power and growth of sin in a believer’s life. Together they provide both the legal standing before God and the spiritual transformation to live for Him.
Scriptural Support for Justification and Sanctification
Several key verses and passages of Scripture shed light on justification and sanctification:
Justification Verses
- “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
- “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
- “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Sanctification Verses
- “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
- “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
- “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22)
Passages on Both
- Romans 5-8 – Justification leads to sanctification and its fruits of hope and righteousness.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 – Christ is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
- Ephesians 2:8-10 – Salvation by grace through faith leads to good works.
- Titus 3:4-7 – Justification and renewal come by the washing and regeneration of the Spirit.
- Hebrews 10:10-14 – Christ’s one sacrifice makes us holy.
These and many other verses reveal the close connection between the one-time declarative act of justification and the ongoing transformative process of sanctification in the salvation which God graciously gives believers in Jesus Christ.
Practical Implications
Understanding the differences between justification and sanctification has several implications for the Christian life:
- Looking to Christ alone for righteousness by faith should drive sanctification – Christ justifies, so trust and obey Him.
- Progress in sanctification should not undermine reliance on justification by faith alone – Works do not justify.
- Awareness of complete justification should motivate growth in sanctification – Gratitude propels obedience in the Christian life.
- Believers can have assurance of salvation because of the finished work of justification – it does not depend on sanctification.
- Sanctification energized by union with Christ brings freedom from slavery to sin – Justification breaks its penalty and power.
- Growth in Christlikeness validates a profession of faith – Sanctification gives evidence of belonging to Christ.
In summary, understanding justification fuels Christian growth in sanctification. Looking to Christ’s finished work motivates progress in becoming like Him. These two aspects of salvation teach that while works cannot justify, saving faith will produce good works.
Conclusion
In conclusion, justification and sanctification are distinct but complementary doctrines within the larger salvific work of God. Justification is the legal declaration of righteousness while sanctification is the lifelong process of being made righteous. Justification is based on Christ’s righteousness alone through faith, not works. Sanctification involves the believer’s growth in holiness by the Spirit’s power. While distinct, they relate closely in the salvation process with justification as the foundation and impetus for sanctification. Rightly understanding them brings assurance of a right standing with God and motivation to live a godly life in devoted service to Christ. Both doctrines reveal the lavish grace of God toward undeserving sinners.
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