Justification and Sanctification

  Justification

 

The basic concept

Justification is a legal (forensic) declaration concerning you, a beliver in Christ.

 

  1.        Forensic nature

  2.        Basis of Justification

  3.        Relation between faith and works

·         Genuine faith that receives the gift is followed by motivation to please G, therefore do good works (Eph 2:10)

  4.        The significance of justification apart from works

 

Justification

God declares us righteous

Concerns our legal status

 

Sanctification

G makes us righteous

Concerns our inner character

 

 

 

 Sanctification

 

Holiness includes righteousness, but is a larger concept.

 

   I.        Holiness

   I.        Definition: "God's holiness means that he is separated from sin and devoted to seeking his own honor." (Grudem)

 

IS 6:3, 5

 

·         Based on his G's nature holiness is an ability and right to arouse reverent awe and wonder from creatures at two levels: 1. Ethical 2. Metaphysical

 

  II.        Relational Significance I: God and creatures

  1.        Separation

Ex. 3:5-6

·         Metaphysical : the holy Lord as our Creator and lord is separate from us.

·         Ethical : After the fall, he who is the perfectly righteous and good tells us who are wicked and sinful to back away.

 

  2.        Immediacy

     ·            G amazingly draws us to himself and makes us holy as well

 

 

     ·            Holiness as ground for G's Mercy

Hos 11:9 / Ps 22:3-5

 

  B.        Relational significance II: G's people and others

  1.        Separation

Dt 7:2-6 / 2Co 6:13

 

·         G's people should be separate from all the other nations.

 

 

  2.        Immediacy: G's people and others

     ·            G's people should image G's ethical perfection.

Lv 19:2, 34

     ·            Being set apart qualifies us to extend G's resources to others

 

 

     ·            Aspects of sanctification

 A.        Definitive:

·         G's single act once-for-all event, simultaneous with effectual calling and regeneration.

 B.        Progressive:

G's gracious work along with our efforts for gradual growth in holiness and righteousness, our progress in G's way, the way of Good works.