These “ation” words just might explain you to yourself
Justification – Rescue from the penalty of sin
Sanctification – Rescue from the power of sin
Glorification – Rescue from the presence of sin
One of the things that Romans 6-8 insists on is that no Christian is only one third or two thirds rescued.
All three of these “ations” happen to every Christian.
All those who are justified are sanctified and will be glorified.
There is no Christian who is justified and then not sanctified.
Justification (what we often call being saved) is not the end. It is the beginning.
The good news of salvation leads to good news right here and now in my thinking and living. Salvation is not just that my destiny then and there is changed but my desires here and now. Salvation is not just heaven in God’s holiness then and there but God’s holiness here and now.
An old preacher once said – “Justification and sanctification are as inseparable as your torso and your head. You cannot have one without the other.”
Justification will inevitably lead to sanctification.
Sanctification is a process, the process of becoming more like Christ.
This process begins the moment that you are saved and will not end until you are with Christ in the glorified state.
Sanctification is about our choices and decisions and what we do and don’t do. We fight sin, we say no to the flesh and we say yes to the Spirit.
But we only do this by the Spirit and because the Spirit of Christ lives in us.
Justification is our position before God.
Sanctification is our practice.
Justification is objective – it is Christ’s work for us.
Sanctification is subjective – it is Christ’s work within us.
Justification is immediate and complete. You will never be more justified than you are the moment you are born again.
Sanctification is a process and continuous. You do become more and more holy in your practical experience of life on this planet.
Understand that this all depends upon faith in Christ; trust in Him for what He has done.
“I am saved by faith in Christ – He died for me.
I am sanctified by faith in Christ – He lives in me.”