Sanctification-Part 3

Queen Mom here posting our next notes on "Sanctification" for Scribe since he's a bit busy fighting off bears this weekend.:) In this post, we'll look at the distinction between sanctification and justification.

Ryle first addresses the similarities between the two:

a) "Both proceed originally from the free grace of God." Both are God's gifts to us.

b) "Both are part of that great work of salvation which Christ, in the eternal covenant, has undertaken on behalf of His people." Pardon and holiness flow from Christ, who is the fountain of life.

c) You will find both of these in a person. You can't have one without the other.

d) Both are necessary to salvation. "No one ever reached heaven without a renewed heart as well as forgiveness, without the Spirit's grace as well as the blood of Christ, without a meetness for eternal glory as well as a title." (Are any of you thinking of the thief on the cross or deathbed conversions? Me, too. But, I would say that just as our sanctification happens in degrees, such was the case for them. They wouldn't have the opportunity we have as we continue to walk with the Lord and grow in Him here on this earth. But, it wouldn't mean they weren't sanctified at all. Perhaps Owen's work, The Holy Spirit, will expand more on this issue.)

Ryle next addresses the differences between sanctification and justification.

a) "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."

b) The righteousness in us from justification is "not our own, but the everlasting perfect righteousness of our Great Mediator, Christ, imputed to us and made our own by faith." The righteousness from sanctification is our own righteousness, imparted, inherent, and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, but mingled with much infirmity and imperfection."

c) Works have no part in our justification. Only faith in Christ is required. "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."

d) Justification is complete the moment a person believes. Sanctification will not be complete here on this earth.

e) "Justification admits of no growth or increase; a man is as much justified the hour he first comes to Christ by faith as he will be to all eternity." Sanctification is progressive, increasing for the rest of a man's life.

f) Justification relates to our persons, "our standing in God's sight, and our deliverance from guilt." Sanctification relates to our natures, and the "moral renewal of our hearts."

g)"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 get there."

h) "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 manifestataion from the eyes of men."

Our final post on this chapter will provide Ryle's points for practically applying what we've studied thus far about sanctification.

Love,
Queen Mom