The Full Picture of Salvation: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification

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The Christian journey from new birth to resurrection can be summarised through three interconnected stages: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification, all of which are acts of God’s grace.

Justification
Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous through faith in Christ. It occurs at the moment of salvation, not by human works but by the grace of God through Christ’s redemptive work. It is a legal declaration, pardoning all sins and crediting the sinner with Christ’s righteousness. This means that in God’s sight, the justified are forgiven and considered righteous. Rom 5:1 declares, “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Justification is foundational to salvation, granting us peace with God and freedom from sin’s penalty. (Eph 2:8)

Sanctification
Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God and grow in holiness. Unlike justification, which is a one-time event, sanctification is an ongoing transformation where the believer becomes more like Christ through the Holy Spirit’s work. It involves obedience to God’s Word (2 Pet 3:18) and leads to spiritual maturity. Sanctification evidences justification; a truly justified believer will display growth in holiness (Gal 5:16-24). While justification declares us righteous, sanctification makes us righteous in practice by freeing us from the power of sin (Phil 2:12-13).

Glorification
Glorification is the final stage of salvation, where God removes sin entirely, and believers stand faultless before Him in eternal glory (Rom 8:18). At Christ’s return, believers will experience the fullness of God’s glory and enjoy perfect, unhindered fellowship with Him forever (Col 3:4). This future reality is the ultimate fulfilment of God’s redemptive plan.

The Relationship Between Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification
These stages are inseparable in salvation. Justification is the foundation, sanctification is the process, and glorification is the goal. A believer cannot have justification without sanctification (Eph 2:8-10). Faith in Christ justifies, but it also begins the sanctifying work of the Spirit, leading ultimately to glorification.

Avoiding Extremes
Understanding these stages helps us avoid the deadly extremes of antinomianism (a lawless Christianity) and legalism (a works-oriented Christianity).

Hyper-Grace and the Danger of Justification Only
The “hyper-grace” heresy misinterprets grace by ignoring the necessity of repentance and sanctification. It teaches that all sins—past, present, and future—are forgiven, making confession and repentance irrelevant. Hyper-grace teaching says that, when God looks at us, He sees only a holy and righteous people. This false teaching undermines sanctification, leading to a hollow faith where sin remains unaddressed. True grace leads to repentance, faith, and transformation (Rom 3:24).

What is the purpose of striving to live a holy life if all your sins are already forgiven?

What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit? Is He not our helper to overcome sin?

Rom 8:1-4 highlights the relationship between justification and sanctification, both rooted in Christ’s work on the cross.
Justification is God’s act of declaring us righteous, freeing us from sin’s penalty (v.1). For those in Christ, there is no condemnation – no guilty verdict. This is the relief of eternal death’s penalty being removed.

Sanctification is God’s ongoing work to free us from sin’s power, enabling us to live more righteously (v.2). Paul explains that the “law of the Spirit of life” frees us from the “law of sin and death,” which previously enslaved us like an unbreakable rule. This freedom is evidence of justification, showing that those justified are also sanctified.

Verses 3-4 explain the basis for both: God sent His Son to condemn sin through His sacrificial death, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law. Christ’s death not only justifies but empowers us to live holy lives, reflecting God’s standards.

In essence, justification and sanctification are inseparable. True salvation results in both freedom from sin’s penalty and power. To “walk according to the Spirit” is not optional; it defines what it means to be a Christian. Those who claim justification without evidence of sanctification misunderstand the nature of salvation.

A Practical Guide to Justification

Today, the Sinner’s Prayer is a well-known concept. Some historians argue that it originated in the early 20th century, with evangelists like Billy Graham and organizations such as Campus Crusade for Christ bringing it to prominence. However, because no such prayer or conversion practice is explicitly found in the Bible, some like David Platt have critiqued the Sinner’s Prayer and questioned the authenticity of conversions associated with it, referencing research by George Barna.

Dawid Pawson also raises concerns about the adequacy of the typical Sinner’s Prayer approach, as outlined in his series, The Normal Christian Birth.

Many evangelists recommend recording the date of one’s Sinner’s Prayer to provide reassurance of salvation in moments of doubt. But are we not saved by faith alone?

True Repentance produces faith, and we are saved by FAITH alone.

Perhaps salvation involves more than a quick prayer perceived as a ticket to heaven. Just as you guide a baby by the hand to teach them how to walk, salvation should involve guidance and growth—this is what discipleship is about. The Sinner’s Prayer should go hand in hand with discipleship, nurturing faith and spiritual maturity.

A Practical Guide to Sanctification

“Walk and Live by the Spirit” Gal 5:16, Gal5:25

  1. Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in your life that displease God (Eph 5:8-10, Col 1:9-10, Phil 1:10, Heb 13:21, 2 Cor 7:1, 2 Cor 5:9 Rom 12:1, 1 Joh 3:22)
  2. Confession: Acknowledge and confess this sin, seeking the Spirit’s help to overcome it. (1 Joh 1:9) (Many times we accept certain things as “natural” and not as sin e.g. anger, anxiety, lust etc.)
  3. Transformation: As you address sin, the Holy Spirit HELPS you to overcome and be victorious, and spiritual growth occurs, bringing you closer to God and enabling you to live a life pleasing to Him (Gal 5:16)

Is repentance considered a work? 
Or are works simply outward actions, such as observing specific days or performing certain deeds?

Heb 12:14 is often misunderstood in English translations. The verse, commonly rendered as “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord,” can give the misleading impression that believers must reach a certain level of personal holiness to see God. This interpretation can cause anxiety about whether one’s efforts toward holiness are sufficient. However, the Greek word hagiasmos, typically translated as “holiness” or “sanctification,” does not refer to a measure or degree of personal holiness. Rather, it signifies an absolute state: one is either consecrated (set apart for God) or not. A more accurate understanding of hagiasmos is “consecration,” emphasizing being set apart for God.

Through God’s grace, justification, sanctification, and glorification form a complete picture of salvation, showcasing His love, power, and ultimate purpose for believers. Each stage highlights the journey from being declared righteous, to growing in righteousness, to finally being perfected in righteousness in God’s presence.

Justification frees us from sin’s penalty, but sanctification ensures that salvation leads to a transformed life. Sanctification is not optional; it is the evidence of genuine justification. Without sanctification, justification would lack purpose, and without justification, sanctification would lack a foundation.

The question of whether justification or sanctification is more important or central to the gospel misses the point because both play essential roles in salvation.

While justification is foundational, sanctification is ultimate. Justification provides the ground of the gospel, whereas sanctification fulfills its goal. Without justification, sanctification would lack a basis; without sanctification, justification would lack purpose. Justification is the entry point into a transformative journey that culminates in the glorious presence of God.

Both are indispensable aspects of salvation, each with its distinct role. Justification is the foundation—a legal declaration of righteousness—while sanctification builds upon that foundation, shaping a life that reflects God’s holiness. Justification and sanctification are distinct but inseparable and simultaneous, arising from union with Christ through faith. They always work together; one cannot exist without the other.

Sanctification is the house, while justification is the foundation.

Because of this union with Christ, sanctification is not optional. The same Christ who forgives our sins in justification also gives His Holy Spirit to help us overcome sin in our lives. This means justification and sanctification are gifts of grace that operate in harmony. Christ Himself is the unifying factor, the source of both. He is our ultimate safeguard, providing all we need for both justification and sanctification. Together, these graces reveal the fullness of the gospel and God’s redemptive work in our lives.