Every believer should grasp three fundamental concepts of the Christian faith: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Sadly, these terms often remain relegated to academic discussions, leaving many practising believers without a deep understanding of their significance. Understanding these concepts is essential for a fruitful spiritual journey, so let’s explore each one.
What is Justification?
Justification is the foundational step in a believer’s journey. To truly understand justification, one can look to Romans chapters 1 to 3, where Paul outlines the dire state of humanity without Christ. He highlights our unrighteousness, stating that we stand guilty before God, separated from our Creator. Neither the law, good deeds, nor sacrifices can save us from this predicament.
Paul beautifully encapsulates the essence of justification in Romans 3:21, stating, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” He emphasizes in verse 23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” yet he delivers the glorious news in verse 24: “and are justified by His grace as a gift!”
This declaration is the core of our faith. Despite our guilt, someone else has borne our sins on our behalf through the work of the cross, allowing us to be declared righteous—a profound truth at the heart of our faith.
The Journey of Sanctification
After being declared righteous (𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥), the next step is a long-term journey known as 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. Justification is a one-time event that occurs when one accepts the gift of salvation through faith.
𝐒𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? Following justification, sanctification is an ongoing process of becoming more Christlike—something we often refer to in church as “spiritual growth.” It’s a continuous journey where Christ is shaped within us. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, expresses his deep desire for his beloved followers to develop Christlike character. In Galatians 4:19, he says, “𝐌𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐦 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮!”
Sanctification doesn’t just happen on its own; it requires our active engagement. Unfortunately, some may experience stagnation along the way.
Agents of Sanctification
There are three key agents of sanctification to keep in mind:
1. 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: As mentioned in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth,” and in John 15:3, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” The Scriptures play a crucial role in our transformation.
2. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭: In 1 Peter 1:2, we learn about the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Other passages like Galatians 5:22-23 and Romans 8:23 also highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in shaping us.
3. 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: Much of our transformation into Christlikeness happens through the company we keep. Hebrews 10:24 and 2 Timothy 2:22 remind us of the importance of community in our spiritual journey.
Remember, character transformation into a Christlike figure doesn’t simply occur because of the number of years you’ve been a believer. It’s an ongoing process that demands our active participation.
The Glory of Glorification
Conclusion
In summary, the journey of salvation is a beautiful process that unfolds through justification, leads into sanctification, and ultimately culminates in glorification. As we navigate this path, let us embrace the transformative power of Scripture, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the fellowship of other believers. Together, let’s commit to the journey of becoming more like Christ.
Be ye transformed!