Justification Sanctification 02

These two graphics give a clear and essential side-by-side comparison of justification and sanctification. These two doctrines are inseparably linked, but they are not the same, and getting them in the wrong order can completely derail a person’s understanding of salvation.

Similarities Between Justification and Sanctification

1. Both are given freely by God’s grace. Neither is earned. We do not merit justification, and we do not “work up” sanctification on our own strength.
2. Both are given by faith. Faith is the instrument through which we receive both our justification and our sanctification.
3. Both are found only in the saved. An unbeliever has neither a justified standing nor sanctified growth. These are exclusive blessings for believers.
4. Both are the work of Christ. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection secured justification; and His Spirit empowers sanctification.

Differences Between Justification and Sanctification

This is where the crucial distinctions must be crystal clear:

Justification | Sanctification

1. Distinct from sanctification — Flows from justification
2. A one-time act — A continual work
3. A legal declaration (“Not guilty”) — Living out in righteousness
4. Christ for us (Romans 8:31) — Christ in us (Galatians 2:20)
5. A passive action: God does it to us — An active process: we work in response
6. Happens at a point in time — Progressive over a lifetime
7. Defines our perfect standing before God — Defines our growth in character
8. Positional: changes our status — Practical: changes our life
9. Invisible (we can’t see justification) — Visible (fruit of sanctification can be seen) |

Why It Is Vital to Understand the Difference

If we mix these up — if we think sanctification (our obedience) earns justification (our acceptance) — we fall into works-based salvation. That is the heart of legalism.

1. Justification must always come first. God first declares us righteous while we are still sinners (Romans 5:8).
2. Sanctification flows out of justification. Because we are already accepted, we now live a life of gratitude and growing holiness.

If you flip it (sanctification first), you destroy the gospel.

• You make salvation about what you do, not what Christ has done.
• You place people under the crushing burden of never knowing if they’ve “done enough.”
• You turn the good news into bad news: “Work harder!”

Expanding the Point:

• Justification is forensic — it happens in the courtroom of heaven. God bangs the gavel and declares you righteous because of Christ.
• Sanctification is transformational — it happens in your heart and life on earth as you walk with Christ.
• Justification is instantaneous — the moment you trust Christ, you are fully justified.
• Sanctification is progressive — it takes a lifetime to grow in holiness.

Key Idea:

• You do not become “more justified” over time.
• You do become more sanctified over time.

Mable’s Story: A Case Study

Background: Mable grew up in a highly legalistic church environment. It was rule-driven: don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t wear certain clothes, always attend every meeting — and if you did, you were considered “good” in God’s eyes. As a child, Mable was often picked on at school for her appearance, which developed a deep fear of man (Proverbs 29:25). She found comfort in her legalistic church: it gave her a checklist. She could perform the list and (momentarily) feel acceptable.

Problem: Deep down, Mable was never at peace. She constantly worried: “Have I done enough?” When she failed (and she often did), she felt deep shame but masked it by doubling down on rule-keeping. The message she absorbed: “God loves me if I behave.” She lived under a perpetual cloud of guilt and insecurity.

Turning Point: One day, a friend introduced Mable to the doctrines of grace. She heard, perhaps for the first time, the breathtaking truth:

• God justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5)!
• Justification is a gift, received by faith, not earned by performance (Ephesians 2:8-9)!
• In Christ, God declares you “Not guilty!” and accepts you fully based on Christ’s righteousness — not yours!

New Life: Mable began to understand:

• Her identity was not in her performance, but in Christ’s finished work.
• Her obedience was now a response of love and gratitude, not fear of rejection.

She stopped living like a slave and started living like a beloved daughter (Romans 8:15). She still obeys — but her heart has been transformed. Now when she serves, she’s not earning anything. She’s celebrating what she already has.

Summary

• Justification and sanctification are gifts of God by grace through faith.
• Justification is God’s legal declaration: “Not guilty.”
• Sanctification is God’s ongoing work: “I’m changing you to be like My Son.”
• Justification is the root; sanctification is the fruit.
• If you flip them, you lose the gospel.

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Peace,
Rick