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From justification through sanctification to be glorified There are numerous teachings today that neglect certain elements of salvation which alter the progress to completeness, the how and when we will be glorified. Paul explains that we are justified by faith” (Gal 3:24), “justified by faith in Christ.’ (Gal 2:16), that we are all sons of God through this faith (Gal.3:26) Rom. 5:1 “ having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. We receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal 3:14) Rom. 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." And further on we read Rom. 10:17 “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Word of God gives us faith to grow in, which is used daily in our walk with God. 2 Cor. 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight” All believers who hold to the faith will be glorified because they are justified AND sanctified. Rom. 3:24-25 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ” (Acts 13:39) Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1:2- 3 “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” 1 Cor. 6:11... But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God .” Rom 8:30 whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Justification is the beginning of our relationship with God, as we begin our walk by faith, glorification is the completion of our salvation, where we are permanently changed to be in his image in our humanity. This is when “we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. (1 Cor. 15:49) However the connector of both our glorification and justification is our sanctification. This is so important for us to understand AND apply. Rom. 8:29 tells us we are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jude 1-21:1 Jude, …To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Paul speaks of our present suffering, to some it can mean persecution not just trials. This is part of the sanctification process. Paul boasted to the churches of the Thessalonians of their patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, (2 Thess. 1:4) “ because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”( 2 Thess. 2:13-15) Sanctification means a separation, to be holy, to be made into the image of His Son. Rom 8:29 “He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” Sanctification means being daily changed into the likeness of the Son, it can also include being chastised, corrected by the Lord when needed. Are you being sanctified? Our cooperation with the Spirit who now indwells us as believers shows our commitment and our humility, by surrendering obedience walking in faith. It is directly connected to the gospel, by the blood that cleanses. Sanctified continually by the blood Heb. 10:10 “ we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” He sanctified the people with His own blood.” (Heb. 13:12) 1 Peter 1:2 …to the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 2:13-14 God “ chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel ” Jesus said in John 17:19 for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” It is important to be honest and pursue the truth as it is connected to our being cleansed If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us .” (1 Jn. 1:8-10) Both the blood and the word wash us in different aspects of our walk. 1 Cor. 6:11 “ But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Eph. 5:26 “ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word” This is a continual activity, as Jesus said “ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” ( (John 17:17) This involves the whole person, it includes “ your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” (1 Thess. 5:23) How comfortable or uncomfortable are you in this world? Rom. 12:2 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” This is done by reading and understanding his Word and living it through the power and means of the Holy Spirit. We are to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to have any of this happen. When I hear people say nothing bad ever happens to them I have to wonder if they are standing up for the Lord or folding up when challenges arise. We are to represent him to others in this dark world and they need to see and hear about the light, as we are the light (Mt.5:14) being his visible representatives, as he has taken up residence inside us. Jesus said if you confess me before men I will confess you before the angels and the Father (Lk.12:8; Mt.10:32). If you feel that you are not being sanctified, you are failing in this process for any reason, know this: “ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Tim 2:20-22 Falling into the practice of sin has ones sanctification stop, they discontinued walking in faith, trusting in Christ and relinquish their participation in their sanctification process. They can repent, be cleansed by the blood and continue in the Word. We all may stumble along the way, but as Prov. 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again.” Our hope is that all who began will finish, as Paul stated, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ( 2 Tim 4:7)
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