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), our new position within the “body of 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 means to be “set apart.” Sanctification sets us apart from the world as we are now members of the “body of Christ.” This position gives us the title of “saint.” In Philippians 4:21-22 Paul says “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.”
It is through our position within the “body of Christ” that we become a new creature.
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
In II Thessalonians 2:13-14 our Apostle Paul tells us that God the Father has chosen us for salvation through sanctification and belief of the truth, called by God the Father to the gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 2:13 – 14
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we believe the gospel of the grace of God, we are then sealed by The Holy Spirit until the day of 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.
In I Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul tells the Corinthians that the unrighteous (unbelievers) 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 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 2:13 our Apostle Paul writes of “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Promises God Gives to Believers
It is not until when we fully understand how to “rightly divide the word of Truth” – the gospel of our salvation – from the gospel not of our salvation, that we can fully understand the plans that God has in store for us and the promises that we have already received by our belief of the gospel of the grace of God, which is recorded for us in I Corinthians 15:1-4.