JUSTIFICATION VS. SANCTIFICATION

Justification and Sanctification

Justification and Sanctification are two important words and concepts provided in the Bible however, it is important to understand both of these terms and apply our knowledge of these terms when reading Scripture. Let us define both. First we will begin with Justification or the word Justified. In Greek, the word is

G1344 δικαιόω dikaioō dik-ah-yo'-o (Justification)

From G1342; to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.

Justified comes from the word JUST

G1342 δίκαιος dikaios dik'-ah-yos (Justified)

From G1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): - just, meet, right (-eous).

I was taught to remember it as “JUST-IF-I-CATION” or “JUST IF I HAD NEVER SINNED”. Your sin is wiped away clean.

Now, let's look at some New Testament verses reflecting this word.

(Mat 12:37)  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

This next verse has both the word “just” and “Justified” in it so you can see the correlation.

(Rom 2:13)  (For not the hearers of the law arejust before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

(Rom 3:24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

(Rom 3:28)  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

(Rom 5:1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(Gal 2:16)  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

(Gal 3:11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

(Gal 3:24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

(Tit 3:7)  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Jas 2:21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

(Jas 2:24)  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Justification is the result of the forgiveness of our sins rendering us clean and just. Justification is our status with God once we accept Jesus's blood sacrifice for our sins and repent at His feet. It is a free gift of grace and cannot be earned. The “works of the law” or anything else cannot give us justification. It is at the moment that we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord that we are justified...ie Just as if we never sinned.

Some people believe that it is at that moment that we gain the promise of eternal life or “salvation”. That is why the term “are you saved” comes from the meaning have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Once we have been justified (ie: accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior), we need to stop sinning. This is a lifelong process. While “Justification “ is a point in time or a moment; Sanctification is a lifelong process. Unfortunately, we still live in a fallen world and we still have our sinful bodies. The process of attempting to rid sin from our remaining life is called “Sanctification” or being “Sanctified”. It is our attempt through Christ and the Holy Spirit to cleans ourselves (purify or consecrate ourselves). Trying to live a life that is more Christ- like is the process of sanctification. This is a process that is walked out by our speech, actions and behaviors as well as following God's commands He, himself will sanctify us in this process.

The Greek word used in the Bible for Sanctification and Sanctified is:

G37 ἁγιάζω hagiazō hag-ee-ad'-zo-(Sanctified)

From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify.

G38 ἁγιασμός nhagiasmos hag-ee-as-mos' (sanctification)

From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: - holiness, sanctification.

Let us look at the Scriptures that talk about sanctification or being sanctified.

(Jud 1:1)  Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

(1Th 4:3)  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

(1Th 4:4)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

(2Th 2:13)  But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

(1Pe 1:2)  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

(Act 20:32)  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

(1Co 6:11)  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

(Heb 2:11)  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctifiedare all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

(Heb 10:14)  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

It needs to be reiterated that Salvation (ie: justification) is a free gift only by the grace of God. Sanctification is the process of us “working out our salvation” with fear and trembling.

(Php 2:12)  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Once we are saved, we need to act like it! Sanctification is the process of ridding sin from our lives. This process is sometimes messy and, this is where we, as Christians receive ridicule. This process is not always easy and we don't always do it correctly or timely enough.

(Pro 24:16)  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

The just man rising up which means we try to get it right next time but notice that the wicked do not try again. They remain in their sin.

I pray that this teaching has helped you and will continue to help you understand Scripture and God's plan for your life. Blessings!