If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and have accepted his gift,
then Jesus is praying for you in the Garden.
Learn the difference between “Justification” and “Sanctification“
- Why we need to know the difference.
- A look at the Old and New Testament.
- How to live in obedience.
- Spiritual Growth.
- Turning from your wicked ways.
There is a BIG difference between “Justification” and “Sanctification“:
Justification: We are justified not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has already done. When we accept that payment (the blood of the lamb) we are now justified in God’s sight. We can not earn justification – it is an announcement / declaration by God through the acceptance and faith in his son Jesus Christ (a gift of salvation).
Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
– Galations 2:16 (NIV)
Sanctification (Old Testament): Hebrew – קָדַשׁ – qadash (kaw-dash’):
To consecrate, to sanctify, to prepare, to dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate and to be set apart.
The term is not used in the old testament, instead the term “make holy” is used.
Old Testament:
15 They shall not profane the holy offerings of the children of Israel, which they offer to the Lord, 16 or allow them to bear the guilt of trespass when they eat their holy offerings; for I the Lord sanctify them.’”
– Leviticus 22:15-16 (NKJV)
15 Nor shall he profane his posterity among his people, for I the Lord sanctify him.’”
– Leviticus 21:15 (NKJV)
28 The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”’”
– Ezekiel 37:28 (NKJV)
5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
– Joshua 3:5 (NKJV)
Sanctification (New Testament): Greek – ἁγιάζω – hagiazó (hag-ee-ad’-zo): To separate from profane things and to dedicate to God – Dedicate people to God – To purify.
New Testament:
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
– John 17:15-20 (NIV)
11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
– Hebrews 2:11 (NKJV)
Things to Remember:
Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God’s work and being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. It is not instantaneous because it is not the work of God alone. He sanctifies us when we have been justified through faith (He then sets us apart), then the part of the sanctification of the holy spirit and us steps in… it is a PROCESS. The justified person is actively involved in submitting to God’s will, resisting sin, seeking holiness and working to be more godly.
Justification is a legal declaration by God that is instantaneous whereas Sanctification is a PROCESS that is worked on by you and God.