Justification, Sanctification and Glorification?

Justification

When we are justified, we are completely forgiven for all sin and clothed positionally before God with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This happens when we hear the gospel and believe.

It is a one-time event and is either a yes or no. In other words, you cannot be 30%, or 50%, or 90% justified, it is all or nothing. God forgives us completely.

It is a free gift given to all believers in Christ; we do not work for it. Our part is only to have faith; we do not have the ability to justify or save ourselves.

At the same moment that we are justified, we are also adopted into God’s family and become children of God. Justification, if real, will always lead to sanctification and glorification.

While we don’t work at all for our own justification, amazingly, God calls us to work with Him in leading others to justification. We do this by sharing the good news about Jesus, and through prayer and by the example of our lives. Only God can justify people, but He uses us in the process of sharing the gospel. When people hear the gospel and believe, they are justified by God.

When a person is justified, then the work of sanctification begins in that born again life.

It is the fruit that springs from the root of justification.

Click to view Bible verses on Justification

Romans 3:28 (ESV) For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 5:1 (ESV)Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:1 (ESV) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:16 (ESV) yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Sanctification

Sanctification is a life long progressive growth of a Christian by obedience to God through the power of the Spirit. It is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus!. Sanctification is a growth into righteousness while putting sin to death. You will grow in your sanctification process, but you will not be perfect in this life.

Our sanctification is often a messy, we can have times when we take steps forward and yet have days when we fall, but over time by God’s grace we make progress.

Our sanctification is only possible by God’s grace and His power working in us. Our Spirit-enabled effort can make sanctification go forward more quickly, or a lack of effort can cause us to be stuck. Progress in sanctification is evidence that justification has occurred and gives us confidence in our salvation. But in sanctification, we still constantly need grace. And God gives us the grace we need in Christ!

A huge amount of the Bible is about sanctification. All of the verses teaching and urging us not to sin are related to sanctification, which includes commands to love others as God has loved us.

The new birth is a radical change in the heart of a person, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17) If a person has no evidence of sanctification, then we have the right and the duty to question whether there has been a work of justification. Bishop JC Ryle boldly stated, “Tell me not of your justification unless you also have some marks of sanctification.” So, if you have been truly justified, you will be undergoing the process of sanctification right now.

Click to view Bible verses on Sanctification

Romans 6:19 (ESV) 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.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NIV) It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;

Glorification

Glorification; instantaneous transformation of the believers by the power of God into a perfectly moral and physical being eternally living in God’s presence in heaven.

It happens when we are resurrected in our new bodies, and it will last forever. All the effects of sin will be erased. We will be wholly sanctified, and no longer sin or even want to sin. Every one will be as loving, true, faithful, kind, good, and pure as Jesus Himself.

Click to view Bible verses on Glorification

Romans 8:16-17 (ESV) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs– heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV) For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

Philippians 3:21 (NIV) who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Revelation 21:4 (NIV) ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Philippians 1:6 (NIV) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Conclusion:

God saves us by His grace. God gives us His Spirit to help us become more like Him. God will finish the good work that He has begun in everyone who believes.

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.