Christian Life: Justification, Sanctification, Glorification.

 Amen. These three words—Justification, Sanctification, Glorification—beautifully summarize the entire work of salvation that God accomplishes in a believer's life: from our past pardon, through our present transformation, to our future perfection. They describe what God has done for us, what He is doing in us, and what He will do with us.

Here is a breakdown of this glorious progression:

1. Justification (A Past, Legal Declaration - Done for Us)

Definition: Justification is God's act of declaring a sinner righteous. It is a legal verdict of "not guilty" pronounced over us because the penalty for our sin has been paid by Jesus Christ on the cross.

· It is Instantaneous: It happens the moment a person places their faith in Jesus.

· It is External: It changes our standing before God, not our internal character (yet).

· It is by Grace through Faith: It is a free gift, not earned by works.

  "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:1 (ESV) > "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

Analogy: A judge declares a guilty defendant "righteous" because someone else (Jesus) has paid their fine in full.

2. Sanctification (A Present, Ongoing Process - Done in Us)

Definition: Sanctification is God's work of making a justified sinner more like Jesus Christ in their character and conduct. It is the process of being set apart from sin and set apart to God.

· It is Progressive: It continues throughout our earthly life.

· It is Internal: It changes our internal state and character to match our new standing.

· It is Cooperative: We cooperate with the Holy Spirit through obedience, prayer, and engaging with spiritual disciplines.

  "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) > "For this is the will of God, your sanctification..." - 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV)

Analogy: After the defendant is declared righteous (justified), they now begin a rehabilitation program (sanctification) to learn how to live rightly.

3. Glorification (A Future, Final Completion - Done to Us)

Definition: Glorification is the final and complete removal of all sin and the perfect renewal of the believer, body and soul, into the flawless image of Christ. It happens when we see Jesus, either at death or at His return.

· It is Immediate: It will happen in an instant.

· It is Permanent: Sin will be eradicated forever. We will be made perfect.

· It is the Final Fulfillment: It is the completion of our salvation.

  "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." - Romans 8:30 (ESV) (Note: God speaks of it as already done because it is so certain!) > "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body..." - Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Analogy: The rehabilitated person is fully and perfectly healed, given a new, immortal body, and welcomed into eternal joy in the presence of the King.

A Summary Table

 Justification Sanctification Glorification

Tense Past (Once for all) Present (Ongoing) Future (Certain)

Work Done for us (Declared Righteous) Done in us (Made Righteous) Done to us (Made Perfect)

Agent God's Grace Holy Spirit & Our Cooperation God's Power

Result Peace with God Christlikeness in Life Eternal Glory with God

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Salvation's Work

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the complete work of salvation!

Thank you for Justification—for declaring me righteous because of Jesus, forgiving my sins, and giving me peace with You.

Thank you for Sanctification—for Your Holy Spirit who is actively transforming me, making me more like Jesus every day. Help me to cooperate with You in this process.

Thank you for the promise of Glorification—that one day I will be completely free from sin and will be with You forever, perfect in body and soul.

I stand in awe of Your plan, from the cross to the crown.

In Jesus' name, Amen.