First justification – then urgent sanctification

Deutsch

Justification by grace based on faith is only half the way. The sanctification of the person is also absolutely necessary. An absolute prerequisite for salvation to eternal life. While justification has been degraded to a paradoxical “cheap grace” by valid laws that have long been called into question, the topic of sanctification is hardly or not at all addressed anymore.

Thin excuses are popular

The attempts to justify one’s own unwillingness to submit to God’s laws (commandments) sometimes take on bizarre forms. The most widespread rumor is simply that “the laws were nailed to the cross.” Other excuses allude to the “great difference” between the Old and New Covenants. People are no longer obligated to the Old Covenant, which was bad, and the New Covenant frees people from the obligation of all laws. Everything that concerns the Old Testament is irrelevant anyway, because only the New Testament applies to Christians.

The claim that the laws were written into the hearts of people with the New Covenant and are therefore obsolete is an oxymoron. “We are under grace and not under the law,” is the blanket statement for the supposed non-binding nature of God’s 10 Commandments.

The attempts to explain the refusal to obey God’s commandments are in fact very diverse. One of the most confusing statements is the representation that the attempt to keep the laws is pure righteousness by works and therefore represents blasphemy. After all, one is only saved by grace. In this case, some true statements are mixed up with rather distorted contexts when viewed in isolation.

Popular confusion and mixing

When it comes to the argument that the laws were nailed to the cross, then there is usually a simple mixture or confusion between the moral laws (10 Commandments) and the ceremonial laws (statutes, rules) (Info). In such a case, the character, meaning and purpose of the “Laws of God” and the “Laws of Moses” are not even recognized. Thinking about this is usually perceived as disturbing, because the realization of this could mean the end of one’s own comfort zone.

It is not laws that count, but love

Jesus Christ defined “new” laws, the so-called commandments of love. For example, in Mark 12:30-31:
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.“

“Well, there it is! Only love remains, everything else is irrelevant. This very important statement by Jesus can also be found as a parallel passage in Luke 10 and Matthew 22. In the latter and less quoted Matthew, however, there is a “small appendix” which reads in verse 40:
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

This does not explain anything but a redefinition of laws that has nothing to do with the “whole law” and the “prophets”. On the contrary, it even highlights that the “commandments of love of Jesus” and the law and prophets are inseparably connected. (Info). It is simply not recognized that true love for God and true love for one’s fellow human beings automatically leads to the desired and actual observance of the 10 Commandments. After all, who would want to do something bad to their neighbor if they are truly loved? Theft, adultery, murder and manslaughter, envy and lying, all components of the 10 Commandments, would not even come to mind with true neighborly love.

Justification without laws “desirable”

The gospel, i.e. the path to salvation, grace, the definition of sin, justice and also the (final) judgement stand on a pedestal, namely on the laws. Without laws this would make no sense at all. Without laws there would be neither sin nor justice, let alone necessary grace (for what?). The whole structure would simply be paradoxical (Info).

How one even comes to the conclusion that laws written in the heart are invalid, while the laws once written “externally” are binding, is puzzling. This means that every person is carrying around a dead set of rules that has been administered to them. Here, too, the opposite is true. Laws written in one’s own heart actually raise their priority. There must be an enormous amount of unwillingness and, above all, a desire to rebel in order to simply treat the laws “in close proximity” as obsolete. And this, and one thought this should actually be recognized, leaves no room for any excuses.

Laws declared impossible

The accusation that God’s laws cannot be kept corresponds to the accusation of the great adversary. This is especially true if one actually makes a distinction between the 10 Commandments and ceremonial laws. But here too, if one only reads it and takes it to heart, the gospel speaks a completely different language, as in 1 John 5:3:
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.“

“Not difficult”, i.e. “easy”, “uncomplicated”, not overwhelming. In other words, proof of the real love for God and fellow human beings. The term “love” should not be misunderstood here. In the Greek of the New Testament there are several expressions of different character, but all of them are translated as “love”. One of these is “agape love” in particular. (Info).

In fact, fallen man has a hard time resisting the desires of his flesh (sinful behavior). This is impossible on his own. This would at first glance confirm the accusation that man cannot keep the laws. But anyone who now sits back and calmly believes that he is saved by grace as a person who continues to sin, just because he can pronounce and write down the word “Jesus” without making any mistakes, will suffer shipwreck. This is where the apologists in particular come in with their claim that trying to keep the laws is a false righteousness by works.

God’s power ignored

Here, “where there is no will, there is no way” actually applies. God’s justice and love leave man free will. God “wants” that all people be saved, but he “will not” grant a kind of general absolution and “in the end” pardon all people, regardless of their spiritual and interpersonal behavior. That would be arbitrary and would declare the drama that has been going on for around 6000 years to be completely absurd and superfluous. Why then did Jesus Christ have to die at all?

Overcoming sin, the corresponding change (only improvement) of character is an absolute prerequisite. This is where the work of the Holy Spirit comes into play (Info). However, man must “only” want this, i.e. have the unconditional willingness to do so. In this case, God will lend a hand with great joy. Just as Paul explains in Romans 15:13:
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.“

and in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“

and in Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

and in Ephesians 3:7:
“Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.“

Plain text. God brings about the necessary change in the character of man. His power is at work and thus He also enables the “elephant to climb the trees, although it could never do it on its own.”

Justification AND sanctification

Justification is an essential part of the path to salvation. But it is far from the required end result. Sanctification must still be accomplished. While justification concerns the forgiveness of sins (of the past), sanctification describes the improvement of a person’s character, with Jesus Christ as a human example.

Every truly repentant person can be absolutely certain that their previous sins will be forgiven, because God has promised it and you can rely on it absolutely, 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“

As a rule, a converted person is not a “holy” person the next moment after confessing his faith in Jesus Christ and surrendering his life to Him. Sanctification is an ongoing process. For some it is faster, for others it is slower. This is individual, depending on background, previous developments, character traits and “problem cases”. But God knows each individual better than they know themselves. So just hold on to it.

Sanctification does not happen at the push of a button

It is therefore to be expected that the converted person will fall over again and again, i.e. sin. It is important not to stay lying down, but to get up again. Above all, “the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:24). Therefore, no “whispering voice” needs to impress when it claims that the last sin was the last straw and that forgiveness is therefore no longer to be expected. God forgives just as often as He demands that people forgive each other’s transgressions, Matthew 18:21-22:
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.“

Anyone who claims to be a newborn baby and to live in Jesus Christ and that He lives in him, but does not try to turn away from his previous ways of sin, has a real problem with the truth. Romans 6:1-2;15:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.“

Here too, the only thing that counts is the will to really want to overcome sin and not to nurture it despite knowing that it is a sin. How can sin be recognized as such? Based on the 10 Commandments, because transgression IS sin (1 John 3:4). Again, proof that God’s laws can never be obsolete.

Sanctification is not an option

Sanctification is therefore not an option, but just as much a must as justification (by grace) based on faith and true repentance for sins committed. Romans 6:22-23:
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“

The “overcoming” is the key word and this is also clearly indicated in the last book of the Bible, Revelation 21:7-8:
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.“

The sanctification of man also makes it clear that Jesus Christ does not save man IN his sins, but FROM his sins, or rather, that he is worthy of being granted His righteousness. This is also what Peter described in his first letter, 1 Peter 4:1-2:
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.“

The Sanctuary – A Striking Model

Symbolically, the sanctification of man can be compared to entering the sanctuary of the tabernacle. While the first urgently required justification through forgiveness of sins took place in the courtyard at the altar of burnt offering, it is then necessary to enter the sanctuary. Showbread, oil lamps and incense altar symbolize the word of God (Jesus Christ, Gospel), the Holy Spirit and the constantly “ascending” prayers.

Anyone who does not enter the sanctuary and therefore symbolically remains in the courtyard, thus constantly remaining in sin and confessing it, will have a big problem in the end. Because sanctification did not take place, the person remained in his sin. The consequence is made clear in Revelation 11:2:
“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.“

The first chapter of the book of Isaiah describes the situation of pure formality of repentance without any willingness to enter into sanctification. God spoke of “trampling the courtyard” (Isaiah 1:12).

Very close to the Heavenly Sanctuary (Info) is Hebrews 12. It describes impressively that overcoming sin through sanctification is not only an absolute must, but can also become an extremely hard battle (against oneself). Hebrews 12:4:
“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.“

and most importantly, Hebrews 12:14:
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:“

Summary Justification and Sanctification

Justification through the grace of Jesus Christ concerns the forgiveness of previous sins. This happens immediately after the sinner has genuinely repented. This refers to the past.

Sanctification is a continuous process until the last breath of the person. With the change in the character of the person and the desired abhorrence of all sin, the person is prepared for the future (eternal) life. There will be no more sin in the future. Since God continues to leave the rational being absolutely free will, the being must demonstrate the characteristics so that it can enter into fellowship with God. Sanctification therefore refers to the future.

Justification without the required sanctification would be “cheap grace.”

Sanctification without prior justification would be “works righteousness.”
Justification and sanctification are completely different, but in the correct order they are inseparable.

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)