The difference between sanctification and justification

The difference between Justification and Sanctification

To begin with, what is justification? In the simplest expressions, it means to be in the right relationship with God, for we are not acceptable in God’s eyes because we are born in sin because of the disobedience of one man (Adam) Romans 5:12  12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Justification happens at salvation, after God saves us and we receive Christ by faith we are accounted righteous before God on the grounds of Christ obedience.

Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us. He not only takes our debit, but we also get His credit. Christ paid the penalty we could never satisfy, but He also kept the law perfectly, which we can’t do either. Consequently, God credits to us His righteousness. We stand before God clothed in Christ’s righteousness. We can actually say that we are saved by works—not at all by our works, but instead by Christ’s works, His perfect obedience, on our behalf. One theologian said that two of the most beautiful words in the Bible are for us. Jesus lived and died—and rose again—for us. All of His work was done on our behalf.

Now that we have an understanding what we define as justification, let’s go have a look on sanctification:

Dr David Kawanga wrote “regeneration is birth; Sanctification is growth! Sanctification is the progressive work of God in man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives. Sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit in and through human life. Sanctification refers to being set apart from sin to holiness which commences at new birth. Sanctification is the process of moral renewal and transformation.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself, straight to the point, well-defined and biblical. 2 Thessalonians 2:13   13 But we are bound to give thanks alway 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:

The Greek word for sanctification here is “hagiasmos”: used of (a) separation to God. 1 Peter 1:2 (b) the course of life suiting those so separated, 1 Thess. 4:3,4,7; Romans 6:19,22; Hebrew 12:14. Sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter by faith in Christ, and Acts 26:18; Corinthians 6:11 to which their sole title is the death of Christ, Ephesians 5:25,26: Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 10:10,29; 13:12.

Sanctification is also used in the New Testament of the separation of the believer from evil things and ways. This sanctification is God’s will for the believer, 1 Thess. 4:3 , and His purpose in calling him by the gospel, 1 Thess. 4:7; it must be learned from God, 1 Thess. 4:4, as He teaches it by His Word, John 17:17,19;Psalms 17:4; 119:9 , and it must be pursued by the believer, earnestly and undeviatingly, 1Tim 2:15; Hebrews 12:14. For the holy character, “hagiosune”, 1 Thess. 3:13 , is it not vicarious, i.e., it cannot be transferred or imputed, it is an individual possession, built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the word of God, and following the example of Christ, Matt 11:29; John 13:15; Ephesians 4:20; Philippians 2:5 , in the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:13; Ephesians 3:16. The Holy Spirit is the agent in sanctification, Romans 15:16;2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 and 1 Cor. 6:11. The sanctification of the spirit is associated with the choice, or election, of God; it is a Divine act preceding the acceptance of the gospel by the individual. 

Now that we have a basic perception of the two terminologies: Justification and sanctification, let’s see how these two diverge and influence the ecclesiastical development of a Christian congregation.

Firstly, justification is forgiveness and is equivalent in all people at the day of salvation, this is the legal standing where we are declared righteous (by God the Judge) and this is exclusively the work of God where sanctification is the progressive work of God in man to make us more Christ-like. sanctification is spiritual growth and this is divergent, sanctification can be excessive in some and moderate in others, this is because of the fact that it is an internal condition and it is continuous throughout your life and we cooperate (Divine concern plus Anxious concern) with God, working out what God works in. In justification God turns toward human beings and in sanctification God turns human beings to himself.

We as leaders of the church need to be Justified and sanctified and flourish in Christ. We are called to give Christ to others, we cannot give to others what we do not poses. The church cannot be cultivated if the pastor/leader does not grow spiritually. In truth, we do not grow as biblical leaders unless we grow spiritually. This means the process of sanctification and the process of leader development go hand in hand. God is able to sanction and employ someone fully submitted to Him. A leader in the church who does grow spiritually and gets sanctified continuously, is one who takes heed and walk with God and God will bless such a leader and his congregation. There will be church growth and new occasions for more leaders in the church and the church as a whole will edify God and build each other up. If the minister is not Justified nor sanctified, it will have a great effect on its members: like lack of growth and spirituality, lack of knowledge just to mention a few. In conclusion, being a minister -  it is important for a minister to be justified and sanctified in order to acquire a healthy development of the church and spiritual progression.