Calvary Road Baptist Church
“HEAVEN-BOUND AND GOD WORKING IN YOUR LIFE - IT’S CALLED SANCTIFICATION” -
Part 1
Several weeks ago, I brought a message from God’s Word titled “Heaven-Bound Without Being Good Enough For Heaven – It’s Called Justification.” You may recall that I pointed out at the time that it was likely the longest-titled sermon I have ever delivered.[1]
This is a follow-on message from God’s Word with an almost as long title, “Heaven-Bound And God Working In Your Life - It’s Called Sanctification.” This morning I will deliver Part 1. If you would like the brochure, it is available for the asking.[2] It is titled, “The Sanctification Debate.” It is an article from a periodical prepared for pastors that I have had since 1980.[3]
My message dealing with justification was intentionally very simple and straightforward. That was because justification, as described in the Bible, is an extremely simple and straightforward concept not served well by those who complicate the issue.
Justification is an event. It happens in a moment. A moment prior to being justified, the subject has no standing in the sight of God, and the moment after being justified, the subject has the standing before God of the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the living God. Justification is an astonishing work of God’s grace in a person’s life.
Let me say now what I did not specifically point out when I preached about justification previously, that justification is found in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, with father Abraham serving as the most prominent of the Old Testament figures who were justified, Genesis 15.6:
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
In Genesis 15.5, Abraham was not justified. In Genesis 15.7, Abraham was justified. Genesis 15.6 is the record of that justification event. I did not say process because justification is not a process. Whenever justification occurs, it is an event rather than a process. More on that later.
Because justification is an event and not a process, justification is necessarily appropriated by faith. By that, I mean that justification does not result from faith as a cause but from faith as a means. God justifies no one because they believe in Christ, but always and in every case justifies sinners by means of their faith in Christ.
Considered from another direction, God does not trade faith for justification, as if He were receiving faith from a sinner so that He might then give justification to a sinner. Second Corinthians 4.13 (“the same spirit of faith”), Romans 10.17 (“faith [comes] by hearing ... the word of God”), and Ephesians 2.8-9 (“faith ... [is] the gift of God”), cluster to reveal to us that the Holy Spirit Who authors faith uses the proclamation of the Word of God to give a sinner faith as the means by which that sinner is justified.
An outstanding feature of the Gospel is its simplicity from the viewpoint of the sinner. It is the good news that God’s Son died on the cross, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.[4] He then rose from the dead and is now seated in heaven at the Father’s right hand.[5] His sacrifice procured salvation full and free for those who trust Him.
Sinners exposed to the Gospel message who turn from their sins to trust Jesus as their Savior are justified. That is, they are pronounced, proclaimed, declared righteous in the sight of God. They are given the status of righteousness that is purchased for them by the Lord Jesus Christ. I was careful to point out that justification does not entail God making anyone good enough to go to heaven but pronouncing them righteous as those who benefit from the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.
It is really simple. Hear the Gospel. Believe that, as a doomed sinner, you can be saved by trusting Jesus as your Savior. And do just that. Trust Him.[6] Come to Him.[7] Believe on Him.[8] Believe in Him.[9] Receive Him.[10]
That is, in summary, how a sinner comes to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ. And so begins the journey through life by the now-justified person who eventually ends up in heaven for all eternity, not for one moment ever being good enough to deserve heaven. Justification is when someone is pronounced righteous in the sight of God because justification is nowhere in the Bible becoming good enough to go to heaven. And everyone who is justified ends up in heaven glorified, Romans 8.30.
Making sure we are on the same page in our grasp of justification not being made good enough to go to heaven, it is important to acknowledge that most people who become Christians do not immediately die and go to heaven right after trusting Christ. So, what happens from the moment a sinner trusts Christ until that sinner dies, or until Jesus returns for that Christian, which He promised to someday do? What happens between the event of justification to the event of glorification? That is the subject of this message, and I regret that it is a more complex issue than justification. Suppose people can royally mess up their understanding of justification, completely distorting the historic meaning of the Greek word ï¤ï©ï«ï¡ï©á½¹ï·. In that case, you can imagine how easy it is to distort the more complex matter of sanctification.
I am sorry for the long term sanctification. Justification means to justify, which is to declare or proclaim. Sanctification is derived from the Latin word sanctus, which means holy.[11] As for the word’s definition? That is somewhat problematic, as you will come to see. For now, let me provide a very basic definition of sanctification, taking from a widely used systematic theology:
“We may define sanctification as a separation to God, and imputation of Christ as our holiness, purification from moral evil, and confirmation to the image of Christ.”[12]
How about a definition closer to how ordinary people talk? Sanctification can be described as a process whereby God works in a justified person’s life by various means to change that person through experiences to become more like Christ, resembling what God has declared that justified person to be.
As with my treatment of justification, this message will be a topical treatment of sanctification under six headings to contrast what God instantly does in justifying with what God gradually does in sanctifying.
First, WHEREAS JUSTIFICATION IS NOT AN EXPERIENCED EVENT, SANCTIFICATION IS AN EXPERIENCED PROCESS
First, justification is not an experienced event.[13] Asserting that justification is not an experienced event, I do not deny that justification is profound and real or that it really and truly happens. I insist that justification is something that is not perceived with the five senses. That is, you do not see, smell, hear, taste, or feel with your sense of touch, the very real and profound work of God labeled justification. Because we are so used to relying on our five senses and drawing conclusions based on those perceptions, we sometimes make mistakes about such things as justification, supposing it to have occurred when it did not or supposing it not to have happened when it did.
The Parable of the Sower illustrates the example of the individual receiving the seed of the Word with great joy despite not being truly saved.[14] He was excited and quite sure about his decision without being justified by faith.[15] Matthew 7.21-23 corroborates this understanding of what too commonly occurs:
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Imagining they have a relationship with the Savior, which only occurs when someone is justified, the Lord pointed out that many are horribly, tragically, and damnably mistaken. The reason? Justification is not an experienced event, with justification being genuine though not perceptible employing one’s five senses.
Sanctification, on the other hand, is very much an experienced process. Consider the Apostle Paul’s words written to the congregation in Corinth:
3.1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
14.20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Paul pointed out to them how their abilities and grasp of spiritual truths showed them by experience that they were spiritually immature. Hebrews 5.12-14 is also compelling:
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Again, by pointing out their failure to grasp and apply spiritual truths, along with not rising in stature to instruct others or discern both good and evil, it was revealed to them where they were along the path toward spiritual maturity, which was not as far along as should have been the case.
Now consider comments from both of Peter’s letters, First Peter 2.2 and Second Peter 1.4-7:
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Perhaps easier to see here than previously, sanctification, the process of spiritual growth, involves desire, effort, growth, and diligence to acquire desired character traits over time. Throughout we see that believers are urged to consciously and constantly avail themselves of the means available to grow, which is to say mature, which is to mean become more Christ like. Clearly, sanctification is experienced as a process, sometimes an arduous one.
Next, WHEREAS JUSTIFICATION IS FORENSIC, SANCTIFICATION IS NOT
Justification, as described in the Word of God, can properly be labeled forensic, with forensic having to do with a legal ruling, a verdict, or an authoritative pronouncement.[16] It is not unusual for commentators to remark about the Apostle Paul’s presentation of justification in his letters to the Romans and Galatians as being so much like a prosecutor in a court of law. He really is arguing a case. With the first half of Romans explaining the sinner’s need for justification, chapters 1-3, and the nature of justification, chapters 4-6, the justification of a sinner employing faith in Christ is very much the pronouncement, “Justified, though guilty!” Indeed, before the bar of God’s justice there is no hope of acquittal apart from a guilty plea by the sinner, who then relies on the Savior to not only be his Advocate, but also his Substitute, to bear the punishment of his guilt on his behalf.[17] We bring no works of righteousness to God in hopes of acquittal for the crimes we are guilty of. Our efforts to please God with worthless attempts at good deeds to placate Him are offensive to Him.[18] Therefore, we can only rely on the merits of Jesus Christ, and Him alone, for our justification by God’s pronouncement that, although we are guilty, we are declared to be justified by grace through faith.[19]
Sanctification, on the other hand, that is begun by God after someone is justified, is not a legal pronouncement. It is a process that is accomplished over time. We see evidence of this in Paul’s letter to the babes in Christ in the Thessalonian congregation, where he writes in First Thessalonians 1.3-5,
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Then there is Ephesians 2.8-10:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
And in the first of the New Testament books, James 2.17-26, we see illustrated how the faith that launches the Christian’s life, by securing justification in the sight of God continues to display itself in the believer’s life by securing verification of that reality in the sight of men:
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
These works of faith, labors of love, patience of hope, being created in Christ Jesus unto good works, and the faith after justification that displays works for others to see are the outworkings of sanctification. It is part and parcel of that process Paul alludes to in Romans 8.29 of conforming us to the image of Christ. I have barely scratched the surface with evidence that can be seen by others of one’s life in Christ.
Third, WHEREAS JUSTIFICATION INVOLVES A CHANGE OF STATUS, SANCTIFICATION RESULTS IN A CHANGE OF CHARACTER
Justification is a radical alteration of a person’s standing before God, a matter of status. Here stands the sinner before the judgment bar of God, all his righteousnesses as filthy rags to God, Isaiah 64.6. He is also the enemy of God, according to Paul, Romans 5.10. Though physically conscious, the lost individual is actually dead in trespasses and sins with respect to spiritual reality, Ephesians 2.1. The fact that he might be fit, alert, and bright is of no consequence. He is a dead man walking and damned to Hellfire. Should he turn to Christ in faith, believing his status before God will be instantly and forever changed. A state of peace with God comes to exist, Romans 5.1. He is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and has been granted standing before God. His faith is counted for righteousness, Romans 4.5. He is blessed by God, Who imputes to him righteousness without works, Romans 4.6. His iniquities are forgiven, Romans 4.7. And each of these wonderful consequences are the result of the change in his status before God, without any change in the individual’s experience or character!
Then begins the process of sanctification, the gradual alteration of character and personality. Galatians 5.22-23 must be the most familiar description of the alteration of the believer’s character found in the Bible:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
This is what comes to be displayed in the child of God’s personality. The indwelling Spirit of God, making use of various means in the Christian’s life following justification, sanctifies the believer by gradually producing varying degrees of Christ likeness in his character. Never precisely the same way in the lives of two different Christians, the Spirit of God works from the inside out rather than from the outside in. And frequently there are internal goings on that cannot be seen for long periods of time before the various aspects of the Spirit’s fruit rises to the surface of observable Christian conduct.
Fourth, WHEREAS JUSTIFICATION IS OBJECTIVE FACT, SANCTIFICATION IS SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE
What do I mean when I say justification is an objective fact? I mean that it is a reality. It is a truth. It is actually settled in the mind of God. It is something that God decided to do in eternity past. It is something God then actually did to the benefit of the person who trusted Christ as Savior, with no evidence provided in the Bible that it is ever undone. Romans 8.29-30 declares,
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
God foreknew and predestined in eternity past. God glorifies in the future. But God calls and justifies presently, during the course of a person’s natural life span. If God is true (and He is), and what He purposes to accomplish actually comes to pass (and it does), and as well, what His Word declares as true is, in fact, true. Justification is as objectively true as gravity and tomorrow’s sunrise. In other words, it is a truth that is irrelevant of perspective, and is true from every vantage point. Look at the justified individual from north, south, east, west, from below or above, and regardless of what kind of day is being experienced following justification, that person is justified. There is no such thing as a good justified day or a bad justified day. Justified is justified.
What do I mean when I say that sanctification is a subjective experience? Whereas, if you are justified, you are justified no matter who you are, sanctification has altogether to do with who and where you are. This is because, while justification is identical with everyone, sanctification is never identical with anyone. Sanctification can be understood as having the same starting point with everyone, which is when a sinner is justified, when a sinner is pronounced justified in the sight of God. And sanctification also has the same end point with everyone, since the end point of sanctification is one’s glorification. A reminder that this conversation is about saved people only, with lost people damned to eternal Hellfire. Never forget that. That said, what occurs in the life of each saved person, between the justification event and the glorification event, is never the same with different individuals. Setting aside each person’s situation in terms of culture, family, physical attributes, etc., let me illustrate with a single passage.
Consider First Corinthians 12.4-6:
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Imagine twenty possible spiritual gifts. Imagine twenty possible areas of ministry in a congregation, Paul used the word administrations. Now reflect on the magnitude of each person’s ministry, small, medium, and large. That would be operations. Not counting age, sex, education, physical health, finances, etc., these three verses reflect a possible thousand to twelve hundred combinations of factors that are differences in Christians unrelated to personality types, educational background, or physical attributes. Do you see how statistically unlikely it is that two people would be enough alike that God working in their individual lives would result in Him doing the same things with them at the same time? And that does not take into account marital differences, numbers of kids, their ages, and their sexes. All these things mitigate God working in your life, sanctifying you. As well, these three verses address differences within the context of Church membership. Those who are not so committed to obedience that they are faithful members of a rightly constituted Church would experience a vastly different sanctification track. I think you begin to see what I mean with regard to this point.
Fifth, WHEREAS JUSTIFICATION IS WHAT IS DONE FOR US, SANCTIFICATION IS WHAT IS DONE TO US
Reflect with me on the work of the three Persons of the Trinity concerning justification. In Romans 8.33, the Apostle Paul declares, “It is God that justifieth.” Reflect on that with me for a moment. When the Father justifies someone come to faith in Christ, does He do the justifying to you or for you? He does it for you, does He not? The Greek word meaning “to justify” refers to the declaration of a righteous standing. Thus, we can understand the Father’s activity of justifying the sinner come to faith in Christ as an outside-you affair rather than something God does within you. It is a change in status rather than a change in being or character.
With regard to the Lord Jesus Christ, did He not do what He did to secure your justification outside you? He was born long ago and far away. He lived out His life on earth long ago and far away. He died a sacrificial death long ago and far away. He rose from the dead long ago and far away. His present enthronement in heaven has been since long ago, undeniably far away. And when a sinner trusts Jesus as Savior, is the sinner not trusting someone Who saves from a great distance? I trust from here the One who is there. Thus, the Savior’s role in this matter of justification is also an outside of you accomplishment, something He did for you rather than something He did to you. Now we turn to the Holy Spirit. His role in your justification is a bit more nuanced, in that He was engaged in the work of convicting you of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come. Add to that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of each justified person. But did He come to indwell you before you trusted Christ and were justified? There is no evidence of that. Thus, justification, whether from a consideration of the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit, is something done for the justified person, not to the justified person. And it is done in an instant.
This matter of sanctification is very different in the Christian’s life. Concerning God the Father, I will only mention one verse, Romans 8.29,
“he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
This phrase calls attention to the superintending role the Father occupies in determining what is to be done during the sanctification process that commences when one is justified and concludes when one is glorified. The Father decided in eternity past that you would be worked on to be molded and made to more and more resemble God’s dear Son.
What is the Savior’s role in our sanctification? As you might imagine, it is profound. Words fail me. He inaugurated the Christian era by fulfilling the Baptist’s prediction and baptizing the 120 on the Day of Pentecost in the Holy Spirit and on three subsequent occasions.[20] He is our Good Shepherd,[21] our Great Shepherd,[22] our Chief Shepherd,[23] the Shepherd of our souls,[24] our Advocate,[25] our Satisfaction,[26] our Mercy Seat,[27] and the proper Object of our adoration and attention.[28] His role in our sanctification is undoubtedly ongoing.
Then there is the Holy Spirit of God, the Perfect Representative of both the Father and the Son, Who indwells us, Who seals us,[29] Who illuminates us, Who leads us,[30] Who reproduces the Savior’s personality in us with His fruit,[31] and Who authors prayer from our bosoms to God’s throne room.[32] As well, He comforts us with the assurances of our salvation when we do not grieve or quench Him.[33] And, obviously, so much more. Though, contrary to the Protestants’ insistence, Spirit baptism is no longer a thing.[34] You see, then, how differently justification and sanctification affects us, justification outside us and for us, with sanctification being to us and in us.
Finally, WHEREAS JUSTIFICATION IS COMPLETE IN EVERY SUBJECT, SANCTIFICATION IS INCOMPLETE IN EVERY SUBJECT
There are no degrees of justification. Justification is all or nothing. One is either justified in the sight of God or not justified and therefore doomed to an eternity of Hellfire.
Sanctification is a different matter, where divine sovereignty and human responsibility come together. God sovereignly chooses to sanctify different believers differently. There is a focus in one’s life on some aspects of divine truth and conduct, perhaps associated with spiritual gifts. And with others, it is quite different, both in direction and to, degree, and intensity. Consider the matter of the Judgment Seat of Christ, the prospect of accountability each believer has to look forward to.[35] Since there is no indication that such accountability is related to anything other than faithful ministry in the local congregation, according to First Corinthians 3.1-17, and the measure of grace that is given to each believer, it seems the Lord’s criteria for judgment will focus on Church ministry faithfulness, First Corinthians 4.1-2. That understood, sanctification, being conformed to the image of Christ, is never a completed process this side of eternity. Paul wrote near the end of his life that he had not attained, Philippians 3.12. What are we to expect? I suspect the sanctifying work of God in each Christian’s life proceeds and will be the issue of our accountability at the Judgment Seat of Christ. There are always consequences, and consequences will be reflected in our rewards when we stand before our Lord to give an account. Then, anything lacking in our conformity to Christ will be graciously accomplished by God on our behalf. That has been decreed by God.
As I conclude this message, it is obvious this matter of sanctification is a vast topic in the Bible. On God’s part, it is a matter of grace. On our part, it is a matter of obedience, diligence, and faithfulness in the application of means.
We recognize that justification and sanctification are two very different but related matters. Justification is an event, while sanctification is a process over time. Justification is not experienced in the normal sense of experiencing something, while sanctification is very much experienced.
A final comment. The life of sanctification is between the event of justification and the event of glorification. If sanctification does not occur, glorification will not occur because justification did not occur. Let the implications of that reality sink in deeply. All is entirely related to the Savior. Faith in Him appropriates justification. A life of walking with Him results in sanctification. Coming into His presence involves glorification. He is the object of our faith and the realization of our hope.
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[1] https://www.calvaryroadbaptist.church/sermon.php?sermonDate=20230312a
[2] Send your request to Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church and ask for “The Sanctification Debate.” Be sure to include a safe mailing address.
[3] John L. Benson, “The Sanctification Debate,” The Pastor’s Manual, Fall 1980 issue.
[4] 1 Peter 3.18
[5] Psalm 16.11; 110.1; Matthew 26.64; Mark 12.36; 14.62; 16.19; Luke 20.42; 22.69; John 3.13; 13.1; 14.2-4; Acts 1.9-11; 2.33, 34-35; 7.56; Romans 8.34; Ephesians 1.20; 6.9; Colossians 3.1; Second Thessalonians 1.7; Hebrews 1.3, 13; 8.1; 9.24; 10.12-13; 12.2; 1 Peter 3.22; Revelation 19.11
[6] Psalm 26.1; 28.7; 31.14; 78.22; Ephesians 1.12; 1 Peter 3.5
[7] Matthew 11.28; 19.14
[8] John 1.12; 6.29; 7.39; 17.20; Acts 16.31; 19.4; Romans 4.24; Philippians 1.29; 1 Timothy 1.16; 1 John 3.23; 5.13
[9] Matthew 18.6; Mark 9.42; John 14.1; Romans 10.14
[10] John 1.12
[11] Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1996), page 1603.
[12] Henry Clarence Thiesen, Introductory Lectures In Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1949), page 378.
[13] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. III, (Dallas, TX: Dallas Seminary Press, 1948), pages 232-266.
[14] Matthew 13.20
[15] Romans 5.1
[16] Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1996), page 718.
[17] 1 John 2.1-2
[18] Isaiah 64.6
[19] Romans 5.1
[20] Matthew 3.11; Acts 2.1-4
[21] John 10.11, 14
[22] Hebrews 13.20
[23] 1 Peter 5.4
[24] 1 Peter 2.25
[25] 1 John 2.1
[26] 1 John 2.2
[27] Romans 3.25
[28] Hebrews 12.2
[29] 2 Corinthians 1.22; Ephesians 1.13; 4.30
[30] Romans 8.14
[31] Galatians 5.22-23
[32] Romans 8.26
[33] Romans 8.16
[34] John S. Waldrip, The Church of Jesus Christ: 28 Truths Every Christian Ought To Learn, (Monrovia, CA: Classical Baptist Press, 2019), pages 63-79.
[35] Romans 14.10; 2 Corinthians 5.10
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