The process of Justification, Sanctification and their operation in our lives, is very much misunderstood by the majority of profess christians today. Sanctification is totally ignored, as an easy salvation is taught in its place, by only looking at one aspect of salvation, which is ‘justification.’ It is true that, “Justification is wholly of grace and not procured by any works that fallen man can do.” FW 20.1 But the work of the gospel is not here finished, salvation is not completed at the point of justification, on the contrary it has just began.
The popular ministry teaches a complete salvation with such texts as Eph 2:8, 9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” If we stop the process of salvation here we must call this a ‘grace alone,’ or ‘faith alone’ doctrine. If this was all that was required for salvation, we would find the majority saved, but ‘Justification alone’ is referred to as the broad way. Matt. 7:13, 14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Why are there only ‘few’? Could it possibly be that they are missing part of the process of the gospel?
If you choose to believe the ‘saved by grace (faith) alone’ doctrine, what do you do with scriptures such as; James 2:17 “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” This is where most christians fail in their understanding of the gospel. We must understand that scriptures such as Ephesians chapter 2 is where the work of the gospel begins. We come to this understanding because we learn in 2Peter 3:18 that we must, “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
There are two parts to our salvation, first is Justification, the work that Jesus Christ completed on the cross for all who take the name of Christ, we find this in scriptures such as Ephesians 2 and also Romans 1:17 “The just shall live by faith.”
The second part is Sanctification, our work of a lifetime. We cannot have Justification without sanctification, because that is what creates a ‘faith alone’ no works needed religion. But conversely we cannot have sanctification without first the process of Justification, because then we have a ‘salvation by works’ program. To state this another way, ‘Justification alone’ is a religion of ‘no effort needed,’ teaching t’was ‘all finished at the cross.’ Yet ‘Sanctification alone’ is a religion of ‘works,’ gaining heaven by your own effort, which is as much an error as is the ‘no effort,’ ‘free grace’ fallacy. “Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace.” RH May 6, 1862, par. 24
Most find all these terms can be very confusing, so let us find the definition of some of these terms, and see the simplicity of the real ‘Gospel of Jesus Christ’ unfold before our eyes:
Grace—“The grace that Christ implants in the soul creates the enmity against Satan.” 4SP 325. Simple, Grace creates enmity against evil! but what is enmity?
Enmity—The quality of being an enemy; the opposite of friendship; hatred; It expresses more than aversion. Webster’s 1828. James 4:4 “know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?” Gen. 3:15 “I will put enmity(grace) between thee (satan) and the woman (mankind), and between thy seed and her seed;”
Justification— an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of Christ. Webster’s 1828.
Sanctification— “Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall overcome. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last, there will be no stopping place, no point which we can reach and say, I have fully attained. Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience. AA 560.3
2 Peter 3:14, 18: “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. But grow in grace(enmity against satan) and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”
“Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace (enmity)…. A great work is required of the Christian. We are exhorted to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Here we see where the great labor rests. There is a constant work for the Christian.” RH May 6, 1862, par. 24
Sanctification is an increasing of grace (enmity), a hatred of every evil way. The work of the Gospel is for our Justification, and Sanctification. “‘The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.’ [Romans 8:7.] In the new birth, the heart is renewed by divine grace, and brought into harmony with God as it is brought into subjection to his law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation from God has ended; the new life of reconciliation, of faith and love, has begun. Then will “the righteousness of the law” “be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” [Romans 8:4.] 4SP 298.1
So now let us sum it all up, The gospel comes to me, the sinner, and tells me I am a ‘sinner in need of a Saviour.’ So I ask forgiveness and repent of my sins, and am justified (made right with God). Grace (Enmity) is given me as a ‘free gift.’ The first step only required me to admit, that I need Jesus, and want Him in my life. Now begins the second part, the ‘new life,’ which is called the ‘work of a lifetime,’ or Sanctification. Sanctification is where the cleansing, purifying process happens, through the strength, power, ‘grace’ supplied to me by Jesus Christ.
Will you join me today, in this two step process of the complete gospel?