We need to emphasise the differences between justification and sanctification, lest we hold an errant view of salvation.
It is not uncommon for me to meet a person who doubts their salvation because of some sin or sins they’re wrestling with. Often they are wondering: “If I am truly saved, why do I have to wrestle with sin? Why doesn’t my salvation deal with sin once for all?” In counselling such people, I always begin by distinguishing between justification (God declaring us as righteous through faith in Christ) and sanctification (growing in Christlikeness, after being declared righteous by God).
Of course, these two doctrines are related in that justification ought to lead to sanctification. However, we also need to emphasise that they are different, lest we hold an errant view of salvation. In this post I focus on that difference.
Justification and Sanctification: Inseparably Joined yet Distinct
God’s Spirit infuses grace, and enables the exercise of sanctification.
The Westminster Larger Catechism (Q77) is very help in distinguishing justification from sanctification. It states: “Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, yet they differ, in that God in justification imputes the righteousness of Christ; in sanctification his Spirit infuses grace, and enables to the exercise thereof; in the former, sin is pardoned; in the other, it is subdued: the one does equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation the other is neither equal in all, nor in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection.”
Looking at this distinction we notice three main things.
1. Sanctification Takes a Lifetime
Firstly, justification is the one-time work of God on the believer. Sanctification, on the other hand, is God’s on-going work in the believer. Once God declares us righteous, through faith in Christ, it is done. It is finished. Nothing can change it. No single sin committed after our justification, however great, can change God’s view of us.
Justification is the one-time work of God on the believer.
Sanctification by contrast is ongoing. It starts soon after our justification, but it progresses through the rest of our lives until we enter into glory. In sanctification our Christlikeness is supposed to increase, as we kill sin more and more in our lives. That being said, sanctification doesn’t mean achieving a sinless state or moral perfection. Sadly, sometimes we will give in to the flesh. Only we must never despair. Instead, we should press on in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, knowing that he who calls us is faithful and he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
2. God Alone Is Responsible for Our Justification
Secondly, justification is solely the work of God, but in sanctification the believer cooperates with God. In justification, God single-handedly declares us righteous. Before justification we are dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1) As corpses we cannot respond to anything thus God must give us life through the Holy Spirit, enabling us to believe the gospel (Ephesians 2:8-9). Then he declares us righteous, justification by faith in Christ alone.
In sanctification the believer cooperates with God.
However, in sanctification we cooperate with God to grow in Christlikeness. God gives us the longing and will to grow in holiness and obedience, yet we must respond to that longing by taking relevant actions (Philippians 2:12-13).
The three main things that God uses to sanctify his people are: the word, prayer, and sacraments. These are also called the ordinary means of grace. As we read the word of God and meditate upon it daily, the Holy Spirit uses it to transform us. Similarly, as we pray to be like Christ, God grants the prayers. And as we receive sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper by faith in Christ, the Lord uses the sacraments to grow our faith.
3. We Progress at Different Paces in Sanctification
Thirdly and finally, justification is equal in all believers but sanctification is not. Consider this example of two young men who get converted at the same time, hearing the same sermon in church. Two years later you might notice that one of them is more mature in his faith than the other. Does this mean that the less mature believer is somehow less justified. Certainly not! They are both equally justified. It is sanctification that isn’t equal between them.
Justification should motivate us to utilise all the ordinary means of grace that help us to grow in holiness.
This truth has a great pastoral implication. As a pastor I have had to counsel many believers wrestling with a particular sin that their believing friends don’t struggle with at all. The wrestling believers wonder, often asking: “Pastor, do you really think I am saved? Why do I have to wrestle constantly with this sin while my friend doesn’t?”
Realising that sanctification is not equal in all believers I’m able to comfort wrestling believers by assuring them that our progress in sanctification should never be allowed to cast doubt on our justification. Instead, the truth of our justification should motivate us to utilise all the ordinary means of grace that help us to grow in holiness, such as the word and prayer.
Faith Trusts God and Pursues Holiness
Once God has declared us righteous in Christ, no single sin can separate us from his love.
Knowing the difference between justification and sanctification is no simple theological exercise. It has a number of implications for our daily Christian lives, challenging us to lift our drooping hands and strengthen our week knees and use the ordinary means of grace to grow in our Christlikeness (Hebrews 12:12). It also comforts us when we are tempted to doubt our salvation, when we wrestle with sin. For we know that once God has declared us righteous in Christ, there is no single sin that can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-39).
Therefore, dear believer, grow in your sanctification. This is God’s will for your life (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
