Justification
& Sanctification
There are
different views of Justification and Sanctification among
Christians. As you continue on Lutheran
101, here is
information on how Lutherans understand both
Justification and Sanctification.
What is the Lutheran view of
Justification?
The
Christian Cyclopedia
defines
Justification as:
"•
Judicial act of God which consists of non-imputation of
sin and imputation of Christ's righteousness.
•
The doctrine of justification presupposes that man,
through his natural condition and his thoughts, words,
and deeds, is a transgressor of
God's
Law,
subject to His wrath, condemned to eternal death, Ec
7:20; Is 64:6; Mt 25:41; Ro 1–3.
•
The doctrine includes, as one of its chief elements, that
God is moved to justify us by grace, a special kind of
love, directed toward those who are undeserving or
unworthy, Jn 3:16; Ro 3:23; 5:20.
•
God's grace accomplished its purpose through the
redemption of Christ. God sent His holy, innocent Son to
become man and made Him man's Substitute. This Substitute
fulfilled all
requirements of the
Law
in our place (active obedience). He also suffered the
pangs and woes which we had deserved (passive obedience).
Divine justice is satisfied and love triumphs. Through
Christ God reconciled the world unto Himself, 2 Co 5:19.
This act of God is called objective justification; it is
not the same as redemption, justification being judicial,
redemption sacrificial.
•
The righteousness of Christ is given us by God in
the
Gospel and
Sacraments.
These
means of
grace
offer, give, and seal to us God's forgiveness, Jn 15:3;
Ro 1:16; Gl 3:27. We receive this righteousness through
faith. The moment we accept the righteousness which
Christ won, God pronounces us justified, free from sin,
acquitted (subjective justification, Gn 15:6; Lk 15; Gl
2:16). “ … the forgiveness of sins is a thing promised
for Christ's sake. Therefore it can be accepted only by
faith, since a promise can be accepted only on faith. In
Rom. 4:16 Paul says, 'That is why it depends on faith, in
order that the promise may rest on grace and be
guaranteed,' as though he were to say, 'If it depended on
our merits, the promise would be uncertain and useless
inasmuch as we could never determine whether we had
merited enough.' Experienced consciences can readily
understand this. Therefore Paul says (Gal. 3:22), 'God
consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to
faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who
believe.' Here he denies us any merit, for he says that
all are guilty and consigned to sin. Then he adds that
the promise of the forgiveness of sins and justification
is a gift, and further that the promise can be accepted
by faith. Based upon the nature of a promise, this is
Paul's chief argument, which he often repeats (Rom. 4:16;
Gal. 3:18). Nothing one can devise or imagine will refute
Paul's argument. So pious men should not let themselves
be diverted from this declaration, that we receive the
forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake only by faith; here
they have a certain and firm consolation against the
terrors of sin, against eternal death, and against all
the gates of hell (Matt. 16:18).
•
Since justification is brought about by God's grace
through the sacrifice of Christ and we become possessors
of it through faith, all human merit is excluded, Ro
3:27–31. Faith is not merit, since we are not justified
on account of, but through, faith. Justification takes
place outside of us, at the tribunal of God, Ro 8:33–39.
•
When a sinner is justified, he has peace with God, enjoys
Christian liberty, does good works, and is filled with
hope of eternal life, Jn 8:36; Ro 7:25; 8:1–2, 17.
•
Justification is not a long-drawn-out process, but occurs
in a moment; it is never partial, but always perfect and
complete; it is alike in all who are justified; it puts
one into a state of righteousness which continues as long
as one believes; it can be lost; it can be obtained anew
when it has been lost."
What
is the Lutheran view of
Sanctification?
The
Christian Cyclopedia
defines
Sanctification as:
"•
In a wide sense, sanctification includes all effects
of
God's
Word
in man (cf., e.g., Acts 26:18; Eph 5:26; 2 Th 2:13; Heb
10:14; 1 Ptr 1:2).
•
In a narrow sense, sanctification is the spiritual growth
(1 Co 3:9; 9:24; Eph 4:15; Ph 3:12) that follows
justification (Mt 7:16–18; Jn 3:6; Eph 2:10). By God's
grace (Gl 5:22–23; Ph 2:13) a Christian cooperates in
this work (2 Co 6:1; 7:1; Ph 2:12; 1 Ti 4:14; FC SD II
65–66); through the Holy Spirit's work faith is increased
daily, love strengthened, and the image of God renewed
(cf., e.g., Jn 14:26; 16:13–14; Ro 6:15–23; 8:15–16, 26;
14:17; 15:13; 1 Co 12:7–11; Gl 5:16–18; 2 Ptr 3:18). A
believer's good works are not perfect; but sins of
weakness are forgiven (Jn 15:3). Sanctification differs
in the same Christian at different times (Ro 7:14–19; Gl
2:11; 5:17; 1 Jn 1:8).
•
God works sanctification only through the
means of
grace.
•
The most comforting part of the doctrine of
sanctification is that which speaks of the completion of
sanctification in heaven (Ps 17:15; I Co 13:12; 15:20–57;
Rv 7:9–17; 21:4–7)."
Visit
The Wittenberg Trail Online
Community
Articles:
The Theology of the Cross: Cross-Shaped
Theology
How to Become and Remain a Christian:
Toward an Understanding of the Doctrine of
Justification
Dead? Wounded? Or Merely Uniformed?
What is the Human Condition?
Salvation in
Christ
Doctrine of Justification,
Predestination, and Doctrine of the Assurance of
Salvation
Objective
Justification
Luther Revisited: The Doctrine of
Justification is Still the Issue
The Enduring Relevance of the Doctrine
of Justification
Original Sin, Justification, and
Sanctification
About the Doctrine of
Justification
How Can Our Good Works Please God ...
God's Work or Ours?
Early Church and Justification by
Grace
Chrysostom on
Justification
Ambrose on Justification: A Study of
the Catholicity of Lutheran
Theology
Sanctification: By Grace
Alone
What is Faith?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
What is the most important teaching of the
Bible?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
What does it mean we are saved by faith not by
works?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
How
does God forgive our sins?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.