This is the final installment on Ryle’s chapter on Sanctification where he compares and contrasts justification and sanctification. The inability to distinguish them has led to many a departure from biblical Christianity. This is a very important topic.
So… how are they alike?
- “Both proceed originally from the free grace of God.” It all comes back to grace, sovereignly administered by God. He owes no one, and is free to give grace to whomsoever He will.
- “Both are part of that great work of salvation which Christ, in the eternal covenant, has undertaken on behalf of His people.” Often problems arise from equating justification with salvation. Salvation encompasses justification, but is more than justification. It includes the graces of regeneration, adoption, sanctification and glorification. Therefore, the Scriptures talk about us having been saved (justification), being saved (sanctification) and will be saved (glorification). All are rooted in grace purchased by Christ’s work on our behalf.
- “Both are to be found in the same person.” At the risk of being crass, but it is like one of those special buys on TV… “wait, there’s more.” If you buy the bamboo steamer you also get everything else. Those who are justified are also being sanctified. No truly justified person will not be sanctified. No one can be sanctified unless they are first justified. We can distinguish these graces, but cannot separate them. Just as we can distinguish between the two natures of Christ, but cannot separate them since the Incarnation.
- “Both begin at the same time.” The act of justification marks the beginning of sanctification. You may not feel very sanctified, or at all, but you are.
- “Both are alike necessary to salvation.” They are a package deal, by grace. All inclusive! All purchased by Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice.
How are they different?
- “Justification is the reckoning and counting a man to be righteous for the sake of another, even Jesus Christ the Lord. Sanctification is the actual making a man inwardly righteous, though it may be in a very feeble degree.” One is instantaneous and declarative. The other is progressive and actual.
- “The righteousness we have by justification is not our own, but the everlasting righteousness of our great Mediator Christ, imputed to us, and made our own by faith. The righteousness we have by sanctification is our own righteousness, imparted, inherent, and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, but mingled with much infirmity and imperfection.”
- “In justification our own works have no place at all … . In sanctification our own works are of vast importance and God bids us to fight, and watch, and pray, and strive, and take pains, and labor.” Justification is monergisitic (God does it all) but sanctification is synergistic (God works in us so that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling).
- “Justification is a finished, complete work … . Sanctification is an imperfect work, comparatively, and will never be perfected until we reach heaven.”
- “Justification admits of no growth or increase. Sanctification is eminently a progressive work, and admits of continual growth and enlargement so long as a man live.”
- “Justification has special reference to our persons, our standing in God’s sight, and our deliverance from guilt. Sanctification has special reference to our natures, and the moral renewal of our hearts.” In other words, justification is positional, and sanctification is experiential.
- “Justification gives us our title to heaven, and boldness to enter in. Sanctification gives us our meetness for heaven, and prepares us to enjoy it when we dwell there.” Justification is like a green card, allowing you to legally enter the country. Sanctification is preparing you to live there- language skills, clothing, manners etc.
- “Justification is the act of God about us, and is not easily discerned by others. Sanctification is the work of God within us, and cannot be hid in its outward manifestation from the eyes of men.” You can’t look at someone and know they are justified. But whether or not you are sanctified should become apparent as someone watches your actions.
Many of the reasons that Ryle went to such pains to lay this out hold true today. We have many of the same problems. There were many false professors of Christ in his day. They claimed to be Christians, but there was no manifestation of regeneration in godly living. Such false professors needed to awaken to their true condition that they might repent and believe, and receive the all-encompassing salvation that God offers in Christ Jesus.
As Peter writes we are to “make our calling and election sure.” First, do we believe? The first question is do we trust in Christ Jesus as he is presented to us in the gospel. Then we ask if it is reasonable to believe that. Do we show signs in how we live that confirm that we do trust Christ (do we repent when we sin, do we long to obey, are we growing in the fruit of the Spirit, etc.) We start with faith because we begin with Christ. Justification precedes sanctification, and we are justified by faith. “The very first step towards sanctification, no less than justification, is to come with faith to Christ. We must first live and then work.”
Sanctification is a continuation of how we began (Galatians 3). It is the further application of Christ’s work received by faith. Knowing what we have looked into should drive us to see our continual need of sanctifying grace.
We also see that we should not expect too much in terms of sanctification. It will be imperfect, at times barely noticable. We experience great struggle, and false understandings of santification are often “over-realized”- or perfectionistic.
D.A. Carson tells of a story reputed to be authentic. Spurgeon was at a conference and heard a perfectionistic speaker instruct the attendees. His students expected the great Spurgeon to rise of up and defend the truth. He didn’t. The next morning, while the man sat eating, Spurgeon approached him from behind an poured a pitcher of milk on his head. The man sputtered and cursed, filled with rage. Spurgeon instantly exposed the falsehood of this man’s theology.
As we come to know more about sanctification we will be humbled. We will expect it, but not perfection. We will learn more about how we are progressively transformed, and pursue it. We will be realistic in our approach to others who also struggle to live godly lives. We’ll call sin, sin- and offer mercy as we have received mercy.
Cave-dude,
This is so amazing. I love reading about both of these doctrines. It just so happens that this contrast is put into the form of question and appears on the questionnaire IrishCalvinist writes about in his latest post.
The question goes: What is justification and how is it different from sanctification? Are they related and if so how?
As a matter of fact the senior pastor at our church just did a series on these. Three parts in all for justification and sanctification. He does a great job. They would be the the latest sermons if you went to the iTunes Store and searched for Omaha Bible Church or clicked on the link provided. Sorry for the shameless promotion.
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=216454555
BTW, you give an eloquent definition of both. I loved the story Don Carson tells about Spurgeon and the perfectionist. That is funny.
As long as it is positive promotion- good stuff.
That simple act, which Carson did not recommend as standard pastoral practice, did more than arguing would have. Assuming it actually happened, which Carson wasn’t sure about.
I am lost regarding the Carson / Spurgeon incident.
What was the story in question?
At least sounds like Carson had the integrity to go ahead and state he has questions to its historical authenticity.
Is there a link to where you can direct me?
I listened to a couple of different Carson sermon/lectures last week. I think it came from the conference at 2nd Pres in Memphis (Sandy Wilson’s congregation). Just got back from NC, so I’m too tired to find the link I-man.
was justification for all men (and women) for all time completed at the cross?
yeah, it’s a loaded question… 🙂
mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com
DearIncharge
Greetings in Jesus name,
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing from the Word of God”(Romans, 10:17)
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away”
I am Seraphine Shahbaz from Pakistan . Nine years before I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and I trust in Him as my rock and try to walk in Him, as the Word of God says don’t be lazy in struggle.
It is really privileg and its really wonderful and amaizing work which you are doing .I desire that I become the part of your Ministry and your stuff is really very good and kindly start work with us we will translate this .
Here is all information ed for me to write to your ministry and I pray may Lord bless you abundantly.I visit your website about my Minstries,
We started these services for the Glory of our Lord Jesus and the main purpose of this work is to stare the word of God through preaching and through upliftment of Christian who is persecuted church here in Pakistan .
Pakistan is Islamic country we are living here in minority .We have 2nd number citizenship . Christians people are living here tough life not have much resources .Now we discovered the major reason of this miserable situation is the high illiteracy rate and poor living conditions in these areas. After knowing this reality we decided a group should be formed, which would perform its role to improve the lives of the people.
Christ Apostolic Fellowship Organization {CAFO} is a cluster of Saints to who are serving the God and sharing the word of God among the people as written in Matthew
28:19 “ Go to all the Nations and make Disciples ………………” CAFO has been working in 2 big regions of Punjab Province, Faisalabad and Multan. These regions consist on 8 cities and 17 villages. The Saints are going to share the word of God in these areas. District Toba Tek Singh is the center of CAFO and its office situated in District Toba Tek Singh.
CAFO has been serving for the glory of God for last tree years. CAFO is serving in the following fields.
Our organization seeks to spread the word of God among all nations as it is written, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,….”(St. Mathew)
We seek to transform the lives of people towards God, and His son Jesus.
The main purpose is to share the gospel of Jesus with the people of God. We pray that many souls will come into His kingdom.
HOME CHURCHES,
Our first and foremost work is to share the word of God through Sunday Services, Home Churches Street Churches , Conventions and through Bible College.
YOUTH MINISTRY,
We are running a Bible College to train the young boys and girls to fight the good fight of their faith in an Islamic society.
These students in this college are doing one year Diploma in Theology. They are studying Bible KJV and church history. Bible teachers are working voluntarily.
Evening Home Schools:-
we started this work with home evening schools for deserving Christian children .These children are working in different field like in small hotel , cleaning home and hospitals ,. And also with farmers So the education is the first step of the Development of Nation .So that is necessary for Christian people to know their religion Christianity and also know about basic education of this world .Now we started evening home schools in our working areas .Now this time we have 8 Evening home schools .
Formal Education School :-
In this world the formal education is very necessary for the children .Because Education is the first step of the Development of the Nations .Now in Pakistan English Medium good education is very expensives .so poor people cannot afford to get it .In 2003 we start our CAC School with Oxford Syllabus in Toba Tek Singh for poor and orphan children. In this field the volunteer pastors, assistant pastors and college students are struggling to find funds to support Christian students for their educational needs.
CHILDREN MINISTRIES,
In this Ministry our volunteer pastors and assistant pastors are taking Sunday schools for more or less 100 Children in different areas of Punjab. We believe that the children must know Jesus from their childhood.
ORPHAN CHILDREN
We are struggling to find funds to provide some orphan children their basic needs of life like education, food, clothes, medicines and other needs of life. We have an orphanage building and funds to run it in our prayers for these Christian children. We have 42 orphans children to Support ( We are supporting them )
Women Ministry :-
We have 8 women group in our working areas .We are working with poor , old and widow women .Women activities
1-. women prayer groups .
2-Adult Literacy centers.
3-Health care center .
4- sewing Center.
For Future :-
1- To reach millions of lost souls .
2- Much more home churches to share the word of God with families .Pakistan is Islamic country mijority of people are Muslems so Christians are living here in minority .Most of people are not educated and they follow Islamic customs and habits and many things . Now Muslem s motivate them and they accept Islam .
3- An orphanage to get all the orphan together and provide them a family atmosphere .
4- To develop the Elmentary school into High School .
5- To build a High School building and church Hall .( Please pray for this purpos )
We dont have financial support regularly so thats why we do translation work to rum our Ministry.
I am able to translate the good stuff of you into my native language Punjabi and national language Urdu. There are two purposes to request you the first one are to know the Word of God more deeply and second one to be supportive my family and to run.our Ministry. We will also teach your stuff in our working areas with our people .
. I have studied your web site, and I found it the most wonderful site to get right to the True Word of God. I found that all your material is full of knowledge concerning development of religious faith. Living in Pakistan we Christians is to face many obstacles to get the access to the Word of God. Most of the people in Pakistan are not capable to understand the English language. It’s because our national language is Urdu. My suggestion for you is to create your material in my language of Urdu and Punjabi also. It will bring lots of blessings of the Word of God for the Pakistani and Indian Urdu and Punjabi speaking people. For that purpose I as a translator will bring your material into Urdu languages and into Punjabi language as well. Although it will take your low expenses as well, as fund for the Word of God to reach out to the deserving people. As a translator I will take the expenses that will be spending just for the Word. I will be looking for your kind words on this my humble request as soon as possible.
“There is nothing more precious than to read and listen the Word of God into your own language.”
Punjabi is another language .It speak in the Province Punjab of Pakistan and the Province of Punjab in India .
I am from Islamic Republic of Pakistan where it is difficult to have Radio and TV channel for preaching purposes. They would not allow us to do that here; the Satan has real strong hold over everything. Friend, I humbly request you to expand your outreach your program in Urdu and Punjabi language. Urdu is the language spoken and understood by more than one sixth of the total population of the world. Urdu is spoken in Pakistan , India , Nepal, Afghanistan and also in Indonesia , Malaysia , Iran and others. I am able to do Translation work English into Urdu. Punjabi, Saraikie and Sindhi.
Urdu people all around the world 104 million, Punjabi people 94 million, Saraikie people13 million and Sindhi people18 million people around the world.
I would ask you to pray and share it among the brethren. I would offer my services for being translator, recorder and distribution/sales. I pray that your consideration will have His mark over your decision.Kindly start regular support for our Ministry. I have wish to translate your booklet, sermons, studies, books in our native languages.
Hope you will contact us soon.
I hope you will consider me regarding this request.
May God Bless you.
Head Office Mailing add:-
Christ Apostolic Fellowship Organization
Madina Colony Street number:2
Shorkot Road
Toba Tek Singh 36050
Punjab Pakistan
May God Bless you.
In Jesus,
Seraphine Shahbaz
Wanted to drop a remark and let you know your Rss feed isnt functioning today. I tried adding it to my Bing reader account and got nothing.