Daily devotion – Justification and sanctification.
Justification and Sanctification
Every Christian is a saint, and every saint is a Christian.
Every true believer has been separated from the world. This does not mean that God takes us out of the world—Jesus made that clear in John 17—but it does mean that we no longer truly belong to this world.
If we are Christ’s, we have a new nature, new loyalties, and a new purpose. We now belong to a new kingdom!
Colossians 1:13
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
Being a saint does not simply mean being a good person. A saint is someone who has been set apart for God. However, because we belong to Him, our lives should increasingly glorify Him.
1 John 1:6-7
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Our Position and Our Walk
There is an important difference between justification and sanctification.
Justification is our position in Christ. It is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
We are not justified by our good works, but by grace through faith.
Sanctification is our daily walk with Christ. It means being holy and set apart for God’s purposes. It is the ongoing work of God in our lives as we grow in victory over sin and become more like Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…
If you are born again, you are already a saint as far as God is concerned—not because you are perfect, but because you are in Christ.
In Christ
Paul wrote:
Ephesians 1:1
To the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Those believers lived in the wicked and immoral city of Ephesus, yet they were called saints and faithful in Christ Jesus.
For you and me today, the challenge is the same: to live for Christ right here in Secret Harbour.
The most important truth is this:
We are IN CHRIST.
Before salvation, we were in Adam. But when we are born again, we are placed in Christ.
Everything we have as Christians is because we are in Him.
Does this mean we can live however we please? Absolutely not!
Paul tells us:
Ephesians 4:1
…walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
Because we are justified, we should desire to live sanctified lives.
Remember Who You Are
Sometimes we become discouraged because we are not perfect. Yes, we stumble. Yes, we fail. But we must never forget our position in Christ.
Our salvation does not rest upon our ability to live perfectly. Our justification rests upon the finished work of Jesus Christ.
And nothing can separate us from His love!
Romans 8:38-39
…nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You are not trying to become a saint. If you are born again, you are already a saint in Christ.
Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, live out who God has called you to be.
Justified by grace.
Set apart for God.
In Christ.
And growing daily to become more like Him.