Justification Versus Sanctification

2018-01-20

Confusing justification and sanctification will result in some terrible conclusions, and ultimately works salvation. Justification is where God declares us righteous the moment we first believe (Romans 3:24). We are placed in a right relationship with God (Colossians 1:21). This declaration by God is complete apart from our works or any intrinsic property we may possess, but by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-22).

Sanctification is something that begins the moment we are saved and continues for the remainder of our lives. God begins a good work in us, and “will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Let us compare the two concepts.

Foot Washing

One case is when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet in John 13:1-20. Let us look at an excerpt of the passage:

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:6-15)
  1. Jesus washes the feet of those who have a part in Him. This is in John 13:8. Everyone who trusts Christ will have their feet washed of Him.
  2. Other than the feet, Christians are already washed clean. The washing of feet is an ongoing thing as the Christian travels in the world, but otherwise, they are clean already. John 13:10.
  3. The foot washing is a model for Christians to do for one another. Foot washing is about relationships and service among Christians one to another. John 13:14-15.

The Christian is already clean (justification). Christians, as they are served by Christ Himself as well as the church, learn to serve and grow in Christ (sanctification).

The New Man and New Creature

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, note that we are a “new creature,” and that the old is passed away. However, we see in Ephesians 4:24, we are commanded to “put on the new man.” Which is it?

We are new creatures in Christ. Spiritually, we have been recreated. It is a done deal, never to be undone. Nonetheless, the commandment to “put on the new man” is to apply the fact of the finished work of being newly recreated to your daily life. Note the command to be “renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23). We need to believe the fact that we are new creatures (justification), so that our experience and our action will reflect the spiritual reality (sanctification).

Forgiveness

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

In Jesus Christ, we have “the forgiveness of sins” (justification). If we sin, we must confess them to be forgiven (sanctification). I liken forgiveness this way: When we are first saved (justification), it is like a king has granted amnesty to us as rebels and traitors. When we sin, and seek forgiveness after we are saved, it is like a child seeking forgiveness from his father (sanctification).

Conclusion

As Christians, we are new saved creatures, which is our justification. However, as we learn to live the Christian life, turning from sin and living in the newness of the resurrected life, we demonstrate the new creature in our experience.