What is the difference between Justification and sanctification?

Justification and sanctification are blessings we obtained the moment we trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. It is important for every Christian to be well abreast with what the bible teaches concerning what justification and sanctification is and the difference between them, so we can better appreciate the finished work of Christ. It is amazing that some believe and teaches that justification is a process, and that a person can be declared righteous only on the day of judgement, but is this statement true? Others also are of the opinion that sanctification is not important, that the only thing that matters is that you have been justified and accepted in Christ Jesus. Is this assertion in tune with what the bible really teaches?

It is clear to me that many people out there have a distorted view of justification and sanctification to their own disadvantage. How can we rightly divide the word of truth, if we have poor theology? It behooves us then, to give ourselves wholly to God's word, so we can be well rooted and grounded in the truth of the gospel. As Christians, we must heed to the instruction of apostle Paul to his protégé: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2; 15). I beseech you to read through this article carefully, so you can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter for your spiritual build up.

Justification 

Justification is a one time act of God by which he declares a sinner righteous in his sight on the basis of his faith in Christ for salvation. In the scene of a courtroom, God is the sovereign judge and we are the guilty sinners standing before him. We have transgressed against him by breaking his laws, and living in defiance to him. We pleaded guilty to all the charges and accusations leveled against us. But to our surprise, the sovereign judge declared us not guilty. He acquitted and discharged us of all wrongdoing, he gave a verdict by declaring us not guilty. The sovereign judge pronounced us righteous and wiped clean our slate. He forgave us of all our sins, and literally placed us beyond the reach of condemnation. This act on the part of God brings up this question, that how can God pardon guilty sinners and still remain just? How can God justify the ungodly and still be righteous?

The answer is that another person took our place, he stood as our substitute and received the punishment we deserve, he died in our room and stead, so we can be set free, see (Romans 4; 25). It is not our obedience, but the obedience of our substitute that made us righteous: So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous (Romans 5: 18-19). The cross of Christ is the only foundation upon which God freely declares a person righteous. This means that the way of justification is not through human efforts, but only through faith in the Man Jesus Christ (Romans 5; 1).

Sanctification 

Sanctification on the other hand, is the process by which we grow more and more to be Christlike. The bible reveals that all believers are sanctified, which means that we have been set apart as holy unto God: To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1: 2). In the same book, the apostle also wrote: Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6: 11). In the book of Hebrews it also written: By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10: 10). In Christ we have been sanctified, and theologians call this positional sanctification. Positionally, we been set apart as holy unto God. 

The bible also reveals another aspect of our sanctification which is progressive, and in theology we call it progressive sanctification. God justified us so we can be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8; 29). It is important to know, that the Holy Spirit is the author of our sanctification, see (2 Thessalonians 2; 13). After we are saved by faith in Christ, the Spirit of God takes residence in our heart, and begins to work on us and empower us both to will and do of his good pleasure. He begins to enable us to grow in holiness, and the fruits of the Spirit becomes more and more evident in our lives (Galatians 5; 22). Every desire we have to live in accordance to God's precepts, and to abstain from sin are the workings of the Spirit. As we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, we do so not in our own strength, but in the energy of the Spirit. Those who do not have any desire to glorify Jesus with their lives are still unjustified. A justified person is not sinless, but strives to live for the one who loved him and gave himself for him. 

Justification and sanctification contrasted

Let us look at the clear difference between justification and sanctification. Justification and sanctification are inseparable, and yet distinct from each other. A truly justified person will undergo the process of sanctification. Whoever that is justified is justified to be conformed to the image of Christ, to grow to be become more and more like Jesus in his character. Justification is a completed forensic act on the part of God whereby he declares a sinner righteous by faith in Jesus Christ. Sanctification unlike Justification is progressive, as God begins to transform our desires and will, so they can be in conformity to his will for our lives. The fruit of justification is sanctification and not vice versa. No one goes through sanctification without first being justified. Sanctification is the effect of justification. In justification our sins are forgiven once for all time, whereas in sanctification we receive freedom from the domineering power of sin. Both justification and sanctification are benefits we obtained by our union with God through faith in Jesus Christ. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

Those who do not have any desire to glorify Jesus with their lives are still unjustified

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel 

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