Justification Versus Sanctification

Romans 3:24-26, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

We are justified (saved) by faith alone in the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. When God saves us, the Holy Spirit sanctifies (sets us apart), sealing us with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:12-13). Getting saved is immediate, but sanctification is a lifetime process of being conformed into Christ's likeness. We are sanctified by the inspired Word of God. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” I love the following truthful statement from Evangelist John Bunyan:

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan (1628-1688)

Brother Bunyan is 100% correct on justification versus sanctification. The errant proponents of the heresy of Lordship Salvation fail to make the distinction between the believer's justification, and the sanctification wrought by the indwelling Holy Spirit; therefore, they are unable to rightly discern God's Word. Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) wonderfully preaches the same truth as John Bunyan, in a classic needful sermon called: “Steps In Sanctification Or, The Root Of All Heresy.” What an awesome sermon!!! If you are confused at all between Free Grace Theology and Lordship Salvation, I plead with you to listen to this helpful sermon. Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.