Justification, sanctification and glorification are three interconnected stages in the life of a child of God. These three stages comprise the exact moment of our salvation (justification), living our life for Christ (sanctification) and our future eternal life with Christ (glorification).
Justification
Some refer to justification by using the phrase “just as if I’d never sinned,” since this is the point at which we receive forgiveness of our sins and receive the righteousness of God. Justification is the stage whereby we are declared righteous before God, when we by faith believe in Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. In Philippians 3:9 our Apostle Paul talks of being in Christ, not by his own righteousness, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Justification completes the reconciliation process. In II Corinthians 5:17-21 we are told that God has reconciled the world to Himself by the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross. We are reconciled to God by believing the gospel of the grace of God recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4.
Justification is by faith alone and is without any works on our part. In Romans 4:5 we are told “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
When we believe the gospel of the grace of God, we are then sealed by The Holy Spirit until the day of our redemption.
Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Sanctification
Sanctification is an ongoing lifelong process whereby we are conformed into the image of Christ. In Romans 12:1-2 we are told to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. We are not to be conformed to this world, but are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
God’s Holy Spirit which indwells us helps us during our sanctification process. In Ephesians 4:30 Paul commands us “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
In I Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul tells the Corinthians that the unrighteous will not be saved. Paul tells the Corinthian believers that they however have been washed, they are sanctified, and they have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by God’s Holy Spirit.
I Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Glorification
Glorification is the future and final event that we as saved believers look forward to. This occurs at Christ’s return when we are caught up (raptured) to begin our eternal life with Jesus Christ. It is at this time, that our sanctification process is complete and we receive our glorified bodies.
Our Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:16-18 that God’s Holy Spirit which indwells us bears witness that we are children of God. As children of God, we are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ and will be glorified together with Christ. Paul writes that our sufferings for Christ pale in comparison with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:16-18
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together with Christ.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
In Titus 2:11-13 our Apostle Paul uses three (3) verses to refer to our past, (salvation through justification), our present (sanctification) and our future (glorification), as children of God.
Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
Justification, sanctification and glorification are the three stages in the life of a child of God. Justification provides the means of forgiveness of our sins and bestows upon us the righteousness of God. Sanctification is our journey in life whereby we grow spiritually, become obedient to God’s word and live lives proving to others that we are indeed children of God. Glorification is our ultimate eternal reward – our blessed hope.