Justification & Sanctification Romans 6:19 (ESV) - 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. Far too many people who called themselves Christians are only concerned with “receiving Christ” but show no interest in “growing in Christ.” Their preoccupation is with accessing God’s benefits rather than spiritual maturity. In contrast, the New Testament Scripture frequently warns not to conform to the world but to live holy lives. In talking about the glory of the New Covenant, Paul says that the Holy Spirit works in us to transform us into Christ’s likeness from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). Why is living a holy and godly life important? Why is becoming like Jesus important? They are important because salvation includes both justification and sanctification. Let me explain. Justification is a legal declaration by God that those who put their trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, are just. This declaration has two aspects. First, God declares that we are not guilty of sin. Second, God declares us to be righteous in His sight. The justified person is not only cleared of his guilt, he is also considered righteous. Christ’s righteousness is imputed to him. God is holy and He hates sin. So, on what basis does God justify a sinner? Simply put, Paul explains that God justifies by the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9), by His grace (Romans 3:24) and through our faith in Christ (Romans 3:28). We understand all these very well. The justified person is granted peace with Him. He is also assured of eternal life and promised heavenly citizenship. Hallelujah! Praise God! Is that all? No, this is not the whole salvation. There is still the work of sanctification. Paul, the consummate theologian, has much to say about sanctification. So, do the other authors of the New Testament Scripture. Sanctification means the process of becoming holy. It is that life-long process of being becoming like Jesus. Sanctification has a definite beginning and completion, and a process in between. When a person first put his trust in Jesus, he is being set apart as holy. God justifies him and makes him holy. Essentially, it means that he is given a new nature that is capable of living a holy life. Not only has he been set free from sin (Romans 6:18), sin now no longer has dominion over him (Romans 6:14). That is why Paul says that we must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). The power of sin has been broken. Now, we have the power to overcome temptations and the lure of sin. We have the power to break free from sinful habits and patterns of sinful behaviour since sin is no longer our master. In as much as we have been sanctified, the New Testament also speaks of sanctification as a process. Sin still remains and we have to consciously battle against it. Nobody would dispute this fact. Just look at ourselves. As passionate as we are to live holy lives, we continue to struggle with sin. That is also why the apostles warn us repeatedly not to indulge in sin, not to gratify the desires of the sinful nature, not to let sin reign in our mortal body, and so on. Instead of allowing ourselves to be enslaved to impurity and lawlessness, Paul urges us to become slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. Our sanctification is completed only upon our death and when Jesus returns and gives us a new glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:35-58). Then, we will be completely free from sin and never again be plagued by sin. Learn two important lessons. First, while justification is immediate, taking place at that moment when we are born again, sanctification is progressive. It is a process that spans our entire life time. The Holy Spirit works in us, chiselling away the rough edges and shaping our character to be like Jesus. Second, while justification is purely the work of Christ, sanctification involves our effort. It is God that sanctifies us but it requires our cooperation. This is what Paul means when he says to continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13). Pastors Les & Adeline Chua
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 06:49:23 +0000