Justification and Sanctification

I was reading an article on the internet and the author was using the terms “sanctification” and “justification” interchangeably. They are not the same and are two separate processes in a Christian’s life. Unfortunately any of us, if we have a computer and an internet connection, can put up a site on the internet. A site on the internet is not authoritative. We can discern what is a good site as opposed to a site that is full of theological errors if we spend time in the Word of God. I would like to, hopefully, clear up the misunderstanding over the differences of sanctification and justification.

• Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

(Rom 5:18-19 ESV)

Justified is the term in which God renders a person just. In theology, to pardon and clear from guilt; to absolve or acquit from guilt and merited punishment, and to accept as righteous on account of the merits of the Savior, or by the application of Christ’s atonement to the offender. Salvation is to be delivered from the penalty of sin. In order to be saved from the penalty of sin, God declares the sinner righteous through the imputed righteousness of Christ. At the moment He declares a sinner to be justified, the sinner passes from condemnation to redemption.

Sanctification is “the act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God’s grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God. This is the life-long process that God takes those that He redeemed through.

• I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. (Rom 6:19 ESV)

According to Romans 5:18-19 the ONE act of righteousness which was procured by Christ’s work on the cross leads to justification of the sinner. Romans 6:19 teaches that being made righteous leads to sanctification.

Christ’s work on the cross was a one time event and God declaring a sinner justified in His sight is also a one time event. Sanctification, the process of making holy or purified is a process that will last the life of the believer.

Photo: Rainbow by Tom Genovese

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1. Sin and Eternal Consequences
2. works vs. Works
3. Pentecostal Faith Healings Can Be Deadly
4. Free-Will in Mongergism vs. Synergism
5. Soldiers for Christ