Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 1/15/2009

Question
What is the difference between justification and sanctification? Where can these concepts be found in the New Testament?


Thanks,

J.

Answer
Hi James,

Thanks for this great question.
One could write an entire Doctrinal Thesis on this question.  I will try to be simple and to the point.

1.  Justification - God declares us to be righteous once we place our trust in Jesus.  It is a judicial term.  Another way to remember justified is "Just as if I'd never sinned".  This justification comes through faith and here are some key passages on this issue:

Romans 3:21-28
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;   26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 4:1-7


What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 8:31-33
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  Sanctification is a process of being set apart and conformed into the image of Christ.  Where justification is a one time act of God good for eternity, sanctification has to do with our practical every day life.  It is a process of molding us through the word of God.

John 17:17-19
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Verse 11 is full of truth!  We are washed from our sins and declared to be righteous upon salvation.  Then we are sanctified (literally, set apart) in a process that continuously works to remove the last visages of the old nature and conform us to the image of Christ.  It is a daily transformation process.

Romans 12:1-3


I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.  I am sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don