Justification Sanctification 01

Let’s compare the concepts of justification and sanctification using the analogy of being physically born into this world as a human. This is the illustration I use to train our children about these important theological ideas.

We are born once, as seen in Genesis 2:7, becoming human beings with everything we need to grow. However, as shown in Luke 2:40, we also need to mature. Just as we grow and mature physically, moving towards mature manhood or womanhood, this ongoing growth and maturity is similar to sanctification.

Now, let’s place this analogy within a biblical framework. We are born twice. The first birth is our physical birth, and the second birth is our spiritual birth, or justification, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:7. When we are born again, several things happen: we are justified (declared not guilty), adopted into the family of God, and regenerated. This spiritual rebirth is a one-time event, much like our physical birth.

As Peter said, we have everything we need as newborn babes in Christ. From this point, our goal is sanctification. According to Ephesians 4, sanctification involves putting off the old self, renewing our minds, and putting on the new self. This process of progressive sanctification is ongoing, just like physical growth and maturity.

It’s crucial for new converts and those who are struggling to understand this analogy. Being born a second time means being justified and declared not guilty, but we must also pursue spiritual maturity. We need to grow up into biblical womanhood and manhood, continuing in the process of sanctification.