Justification vs Sanctification
Lyn Mize
The difference
between justification and sanctification is the
difference between spirit salvation and soul
salvation. It is the difference between
salvation by grace for the spirit and salvation
by works for the soul or life. It is the
difference between imputed righteousness and
practical righteousness. It is the difference
between entering heaven and entering the kingdom
of heaven. It is the difference between being a
child (Gr. teknon)
of God and being a son (Gr. huios) of
God. It is the difference between being an heir
of God and being a joint-heir with Christ. The
heir of God is in line for receiving the
inheritance, while the joint-heir with Christ
actually receives the inheritance.
Someone else wrote the following list of distinctions between justification and sanctification, but I do not know the name of the person who wrote them. The distinctions on the list are very important for understanding that the Christian has been called to salvation for a much higher purpose than to simply “go to heaven” when he dies and be resurrected. Most doctrinal arguments are the result of failure to understand the following differences. The basic distinction is salvation is by grace, but reward is according to works.
1. Justification is free
(Eph 2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(Eph 2:9 KJV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2. Sanctification is costly
(Eph 2:10 KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Luke 14:25 KJV) And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
(Luke 14:26 KJV) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:27 KJV) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:28 KJV) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
(Luke 14:29 KJV) Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
(Luke 14:30 KJV) Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
(Luke 14:31 KJV) Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
(Luke 14:32 KJV) Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
(Luke 14:33 KJV) So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
3. Justification is instantaneous
(John 3:8 KJV) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
4. Sanctification is a life-long process
(John 8:31-32 KJV) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
5. Justification is by faith
(Eph 2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
6. Sanctification is by faithfulness
(1 Cor 4:2 KJV) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
7. Justification is not of works
(Eph 2:9 KJV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
8. Sanctification is of works
(Eph 2:10 KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
9. Justification involves Christ's love for me
(John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
10. Sanctification involves my love for Christ
(1 John 4:19 KJV) We love him, because he first loved us.
11. Justification concerns Christ's righteousness
(2 Cor 5:21 KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
12. Sanctification concerns my righteousness
(Luke 14:25 KJV) And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
(Luke 14:26 KJV) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:27 KJV) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:28 KJV) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
(Luke 14:29 KJV) Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
(Luke 14:30 KJV) Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
(Luke 14:31 KJV) Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
(Luke 14:32 KJV) Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
(Luke 14:33 KJV) So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
13. Justification involves my position in Christ
(Col 2:11 KJV) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
(Col 2:12 KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
(Col 2:13 KJV) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
(Col 2:14 KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
14. Sanctification involves my practice
(Col 3:1 KJV) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(Col 3:2 KJV) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(Col 3:3 KJV) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(Col 3:4 KJV) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(Col 3:5 KJV) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
(Col 3:6 KJV) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
(Col 3:7 KJV) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
(Col 3:8 KJV) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
(Col 3:9 KJV) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
(Col 3:10 KJV) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
(Col 3:11 KJV) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
15. Justification considers what God has done
(1 Cor 15:3 KJV) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
(1 Cor 15:4 KJV) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
16. Sanctification considers what I am doing
(James 1:21 KJV) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
(James 1:22 KJV) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
17. Justification is God's commitment to me
(Rom 5:8 KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
18. Sanctification is my commitment to God
(John 14:15 NASB) "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
19. Justification requires obedience to one command: to believe the Gospel
(Acts 16:31 KJV) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
20. Sanctification requires obedience to all of Christ’s commands
(Mat 28:19 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(Mat 28:20 KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
21. Justification focuses on the cross, which Jesus took up once and for all
(Phil 2:8 KJV) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
(Heb 12:2 KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
22. Sanctification focuses on the cross that I am to take up daily
(Mark 8:34 KJV) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(Mark 8:35 KJV) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
(Mark 8:36 KJV) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
(Mark 8:37 KJV) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Mark 8:38 KJV) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
(1 Cor 1:17 NASB) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void.
(1 Cor 1:18 NASB) For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
23. Justification is finished at the moment of faith
(Titus 3:7 KJV) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
24. Sanctification is not finished until I go to be with the Lord
(1 Cor 9:24 KJV) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(1 Cor 9:25 KJV) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
(1 Cor 9:26 KJV) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
(1 Cor 9:27 KJV) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Someone else wrote the following list of distinctions between justification and sanctification, but I do not know the name of the person who wrote them. The distinctions on the list are very important for understanding that the Christian has been called to salvation for a much higher purpose than to simply “go to heaven” when he dies and be resurrected. Most doctrinal arguments are the result of failure to understand the following differences. The basic distinction is salvation is by grace, but reward is according to works.
1. Justification is free
(Eph 2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(Eph 2:9 KJV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2. Sanctification is costly
(Eph 2:10 KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Luke 14:25 KJV) And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
(Luke 14:26 KJV) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:27 KJV) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:28 KJV) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
(Luke 14:29 KJV) Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
(Luke 14:30 KJV) Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
(Luke 14:31 KJV) Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
(Luke 14:32 KJV) Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
(Luke 14:33 KJV) So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
3. Justification is instantaneous
(John 3:8 KJV) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
4. Sanctification is a life-long process
(John 8:31-32 KJV) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
5. Justification is by faith
(Eph 2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
6. Sanctification is by faithfulness
(1 Cor 4:2 KJV) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
7. Justification is not of works
(Eph 2:9 KJV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
8. Sanctification is of works
(Eph 2:10 KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
9. Justification involves Christ's love for me
(John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
10. Sanctification involves my love for Christ
(1 John 4:19 KJV) We love him, because he first loved us.
11. Justification concerns Christ's righteousness
(2 Cor 5:21 KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
12. Sanctification concerns my righteousness
(Luke 14:25 KJV) And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
(Luke 14:26 KJV) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:27 KJV) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:28 KJV) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
(Luke 14:29 KJV) Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
(Luke 14:30 KJV) Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
(Luke 14:31 KJV) Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
(Luke 14:32 KJV) Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
(Luke 14:33 KJV) So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
13. Justification involves my position in Christ
(Col 2:11 KJV) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
(Col 2:12 KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
(Col 2:13 KJV) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
(Col 2:14 KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
14. Sanctification involves my practice
(Col 3:1 KJV) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(Col 3:2 KJV) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(Col 3:3 KJV) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(Col 3:4 KJV) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(Col 3:5 KJV) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
(Col 3:6 KJV) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
(Col 3:7 KJV) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
(Col 3:8 KJV) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
(Col 3:9 KJV) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
(Col 3:10 KJV) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
(Col 3:11 KJV) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
15. Justification considers what God has done
(1 Cor 15:3 KJV) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
(1 Cor 15:4 KJV) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
16. Sanctification considers what I am doing
(James 1:21 KJV) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
(James 1:22 KJV) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
17. Justification is God's commitment to me
(Rom 5:8 KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
18. Sanctification is my commitment to God
(John 14:15 NASB) "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
19. Justification requires obedience to one command: to believe the Gospel
(Acts 16:31 KJV) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
20. Sanctification requires obedience to all of Christ’s commands
(Mat 28:19 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(Mat 28:20 KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
21. Justification focuses on the cross, which Jesus took up once and for all
(Phil 2:8 KJV) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
(Heb 12:2 KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
22. Sanctification focuses on the cross that I am to take up daily
(Mark 8:34 KJV) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(Mark 8:35 KJV) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
(Mark 8:36 KJV) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
(Mark 8:37 KJV) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Mark 8:38 KJV) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
(1 Cor 1:17 NASB) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void.
(1 Cor 1:18 NASB) For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
23. Justification is finished at the moment of faith
(Titus 3:7 KJV) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
24. Sanctification is not finished until I go to be with the Lord
(1 Cor 9:24 KJV) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(1 Cor 9:25 KJV) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
(1 Cor 9:26 KJV) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
(1 Cor 9:27 KJV) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.