A Comparison of Justification and Sanctification |
Justification | Sanctification |
Justification is free (Jn 4:1). | Sanctification is costly (Lk 14:25-33). |
Justification is instantaneous (Jn 3:8). | Sanctification is a life-long process (Jn 8:31). |
Justification is by faith (Eph 2:8). | Sanctification is by faithfulness (1 Cor 4:2). |
Justification is not of works (Eph 2:9). | Sanctification is of works (Eph 2:10). |
Justification involves Christ’s love for me (Jn 3:16). | Sanctification involves my love for Christ (1 Jn 4:19). |
Justification conce4rns Christ’s righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). | Sanctification concerns my righteousness (Lk 14:25-33). |
Justification involves my position in Christ (Col 2:11-14). | Sanctification involves my practice (Col 3:1-11). |
Justification considers what God has done (1 Cor 15:3-4). | Sanctification considers what I am doing (Lk 14:25-33). |
Justification is God’s commitment to me (1 Jn 5:9-13). | Sanctification is my commitment to God (Jn 14:15). |
Justification requires obedience to one command: to believe the Gospel (Acts 6:7). | Sanctification requires obedience to all of Christ’s commands (Matt 28:19-20). |
Justification focuses on the cross which Jesus took up once and for all (1 Cor 1:18). | Sanctification focuses on the cross which I am to take up daily (Lk 9:53). |
Justification is finished at the moment of faith (Jn 5:24). | Sanctification is not finished until I go to be with the Lord (1 Cor 9:24-27). |