What’s the Main Difference Between Justification and Sanctification?

What's the difference between justification and sanctification.

Best is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity by Abdul Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We would love to hear from you and our phone lines are open right now. Here's the number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. We have several social media ways you can connect with us, including watching a drill live in the studio right now on our YouTube channel and you can send us a message that way through YouTube. You can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com. Today here's a voicemail received from one of her listeners earlier this week. You will thank you very much for your ministry and encouragement. I'm just a quick question about this last Savior Christ. James 113 tells us that God cannot be tempted. However, Christ being both divine and human. I believe it's the doctrine of impact ability to tells us that it was an impossibility for Christ to have fallen so is that strictly through the divine nature that keeps the human nature from falling, and thus remaining sinless, and therefore an acceptable sacrifice upon the cross, and if it was an impossibility for Jesus to have fallen is that in any way diminish the work accomplished question should very much love this question.

Getting into some deep theology.

Hear me thinking about the what we sometimes call the hypostatic union that is that the incarnation and the divine person, the second person of the holy Trinity. The word assuming humanity taking a human nature to himself.

It's getting into some some technical theology here but but yes, you're right, James chapter 1 says that God cannot be tempted and then you compare that with other passages like in the book of Hebrews in Hebrews chapter 4 it says that Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are yet without sin, and so how do we square those things and what we mean by the fact that Jesus was tempted well because we were talking about God, the divine person, the word is something people will say United Jesus divine person.

Is he a human person is a satellite 50-50 well know you have one divine person, the eternal word of the father who assumes humanity to himself. So now this one divine person has two natures divine and human because were talking about the one divine person he cannot sin now when when Christ experienced temptation. We might if we can distinguish between experiencing temptation in such a way that that your heart is given to a demand that there are sinful temptations that we can have brothers and sister. Sinful desires that we can have because of our fallen nature's and then that we do have that we need to repent of Christ didn't have that heat. He is perfect and and sin less and yet in his humanity. The word in his humanity experience suffering experienced temptation of Hebrews 4 is talking about express hunger and and death. We could even say and and it's important that we understand this because Rick really were talking about the real experience of the divine word of the father.

Ultimately, for our redemption because God the son suffered for us, putting away sin once and for all.

We have the hope of eternal life. We have the hope of salvation, and so even though this this question can come off. I think at times and in it I really appreciate the US and the symptoms. I think you can hear these consequences.

The boy that you seem so you know were splitting hairs here know when were talking about Jesus were talking about the incarnation. Everything matters in this is getting at the very at the very core of the Christian faith. The very core of our salvation. Even because he's our Redeemer, the one who saves us, and he saves us as as that the second person of the holy Trinity is God for us through the incarnation and so love this question. Thank you so much for asking it and may the Lord bless you.

This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life doctrine or theology wanted to pick up your phone and give us a call will be taking calls for the next 20 minutes or so in here's the phone number it's 833. The core 1-833-843-2673 bedroom was just talking about what Christ has done for us. We actually have a wonderful book that we'd like to offer you today that helps you focus on what Jesus did for each one of us, yet they were offering. The book captivated beholding the mystery of Jesus's death and resurrection by two Beatty on yet. We late and we've been offering this book now for for a few days. I really do hope you haven't gotten a hold of it that you will get a hold of it. I think about what the apostle Paul said in Galatians chapter 3 work when he's talking the Galatians is a placarded Christ crucified before you is if there is if there's one thing that we need to grasp, understand, it's the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should captivate us brothers and sisters as Christians and so please get a hold of this resource over it.

Core, Christianity.com for donation of any amount wonderful book and you can check it out.

Core, Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers a course you can call us for that resource or any one of our resources at 833, the court will. Here's a voicemail that came in from one of our listeners named Hannah a lot. Shelby don't ever stop.

My question is what is difference between justification and salvation and sanctification likely hey I don't intend to stop. Thank you for that encouragement.

I'm glad that you're blessed by the broadcast of really important question because I think sometimes people can collapse these two things, the, the, the justification and sanctification and and relieves her to muddy the waters were talking about the doctrine of salvation or so to reality. So justification is an act of God that he does in an individual's life whereby he accepts us as righteous in in Christ you know basically solely for for what Jesus has done forces is not it's not something we earn. It's not something that God gives to you because your righteous. In fact in justification. This is the definitive act of God declaring you righteous you that individuals are sinners coming to God broken declaring you righteous justified in his sight in the moment. It's a declaration it. It's his legal definitive salvific act of God in an individual's life, then just just a passage of Scripture to go to is your your thinking about the estimate is Paul in Romans chapter 4 says now to the one who works this is verse for his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due, but to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly's faith is counted as righteousness. Symptoms a that the instrument of our justification the way that were justified is by faith solely by faith, not by your works.

Paul says faith is like an empty hand that receives that that the goodness and grace of God in justification and so this is this is a position that you have as a Christian as a believer you are justified righteous through what we call the imputation of Christ's righteousness, that is, Christ took our sins, and he gives us the credits to us his very own righteousness. That's justification, sanctification is also very important when it again here were still talking about our salvation in a distinct way.

Were talking now about that process of inward renewal of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Molding us more and more after the image of God to reflect Christ, his goodness, his glory, making us holy by the grace of the Holy Spirit overtime imperfectly, of course, write a mean in the spirit is at work in our lives. We still sin against God and thought, word, and indeed, but the spirit is at work transforming us more and more into the image of of of Christ and in his goodness, and so you have these two things here.

Both are the work of God. One is this definitive act in justification and and the person who is justified is also going to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit progressively over time and great passages with a justification there and in Romans chapter 4 but if you go ahead to Romans chapter 6 the way you get this this language of fetal putting sin to death in the spirit of God working in our lives, transforming us and so I would point you to just Romans you know that the first eight verse chapters essentially give gives you a helpful exposition of of what it is that were thinking about. We think about justification and sanctification, and so think to think we don't want to confuse because if you make justification a process of inward renewal. You never know if you're genuinely truly justified and so you have justification is definitive act and think of occasions the process of inward renewal.

Great! Thank you for that federal this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. We love getting your questions you can call us 24 hours a day and leave a voicemail that you can call over the weekend will try to get to our voicemails. Once each day and review them in. Here's the number to call at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Michael in Gainesville, Florida. Michael what is your question for pastor. A real yeah I'm trying to reconcile some thoughts I've been having people friends around me.

Been arguing the Jewish people in which we have our Christian roots their cornerstone picture of God's hero. Heroes of the Lord our God is one Lord they see God in Aswan.

In Christianity we see God the father, God the son God the Holy Ghost God in three persons who use a person's that sounds like three separate gods to me. How do these two things reconcile her balance.

Six yeah I thank you for for this question yet. Deuteronomy 64 hero, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

And of course as a Christian I believe with with the Christian church for you know the last 2000 years. We believe in one God were monotheists, but that God has revealed himself as the father son and Holy Spirit, one in essence, equal in power and glory undivided in terms of interims lessons but the distinct persons three distinct persons of the holy Trinity, in and of course were doing here is what were trying to make sense of God's revelation because we look at the Scriptures.

Not just any testing, but also in the Old Testament you have figures like in the Otis of the angel of the Lord was associated with with God himself. You have these these these prophecies about the Messiah, who would, who was to become mighty God meeting invite Isaiah chapter 9 the of the Son of Man figure who who is worshiped in Daniel chapter 760 there's this tension that we see in the Scriptures of yes God is one, but he's revealed himself as father son and Holy Spirit. John chapter 1 verse one in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the Word was God needed data. Verse 14 and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And so, so, God is one that we need to understand it in in a way that makes sense of all the Scriptures, especially as you know, revelation unfolded throughout redemptive history and the way it works. Brother is you know as revelation was unfolding throughout redemptive history that we get more clarity more insight. It is to who God is and how he's revealed himself and what I think is so fascinating is Paul in first Corinthians chapter chapter 8 he actually references the Shema of Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse four, but he puts Jesus Christ right in the middle of it, is talking about idolatry and he says, and in verse 20. In chapter 8.

For, although there may be so-called gods in heaven and on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords yet for us there is one God okay will that that's okay it sounds like the Shema, one God, the father from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord hero, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one, one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. In other words, I think Paul is doing here and party sees giving us the inspired apostolic interpretation of Deuteronomy chapter 640 puts Jesus right in the middle of that the Shema and so and so that there's no contradiction here were not saying that God is one person in three persons that would be a contradiction percent God is one in essence, but three distinct persons. The father the son and the Holy Spirit. And the reason we say that is because it's how God is revealed himself in Scripture and ultimately we take we take the Scriptures are ultimate and final authority.

And so that's what we embrace this doctrine. The doctrine of the holy Trinity, recognizing that you know it was it was revealed over time. Throughout the history of redemption and there was more and more clarity, especially as you get to to the New Testament Scriptures and so thank you for for your question brother and God bless hey Michael, thank you so much for being a regular listener to core Christianity. We really do appreciate you. Let's go to Mark calling in from Kansas. Mark what your question for Israel. I like my question was about sharing his equipment one and basically along the same line when Jesus died on the cross was part of the Trinity loss for the three days and then he rose from the dead, and if so did paternity resume after his death in how does that work for talking with with Muslim friends during May God bless you, Mark, and what an excellent question. Yeah there's a lot of confusion about his need. I've asked Vanessa question also by Jehovah's Witnesses who say we say Jesus is God with any talk about God dying on the cross. So how does how does that work well will again Jesus we believe is the second person of the holy Trinity, the eternal word of the father how how can God die will, God the son, the second person of the holy Trinity assumed human flesh from the womb of the virgin Mary, so that in that flesh, he might suffer and die and bear our curse.

The curse that was due to us for sins. Now when he experienced that mean it was not that that the Trinity was broken or that the second person of the holy trend was lost. Actually, what Christians believe is that after Christ died prior to his resurrection and then then we talked about this on the broadcast before he's he's he's proclaiming his victory over the grave triumph over death.

It's not. It's not that he's he's lost or that the Trinity is lost for a period of a few days know this is this is the moment the definitive moment of victory and then with the resurrection of the dead. Here's where I would take that discussion is I'm thinking about you passing by having conversation with with Muslims.

How can we have our sins forgiven. How can we have our sins forgiven.

How can we be justified in the sight of a holy God. When we've sinned against him immediately.

Only answers will only God can forgive but God is also just as it will housing in a deal with our sins and we continue to sin against him and thought, word and deed is sort of brush those under the rug that the penalty for sin according to Scripture, is death, and I think I think that's more than just need a physical death is separation from from God.

So how how is God in a deal with this. How can we be justified in the sight of a holy God. Well, it's through the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That's our hope.

That's why the message of the cross is so important for us and even some people will will fail.

Guy said that than even make sense how good, how could God die with the theologians of talked about this for thousands of years, especially related to the incarnation. Just look this is central to our salvation because it was it was the offering of God the son himself for us for our sins. It made perfect infinite in value so that we might be forever cleansed and brought into the presence of God is the author of the Hebrews says about about Jesus our great high priest is able to say to the uttermost those who draw near to the Father through him, since he ever lives to make intercession for us. And so when Jesus died on the cross. One, the Trinity was not broken nor was it lost. This was the greatest act of obedience and love, even between the persons of the holy Trinity, and in that that the son is offering himself up for us for our redemption sent by the love of the father. If you will get is not separation you me really is this picture of unity, love and redemption for humanity. Thank you for your question mark.

May God bless you brother as you have these conversations just give you wisdom and may the Holy Spirit work in and through your words to encourage the people around you Less Mark. We appreciate you so much and your your burden for these of these Muslim friends. While that is so great, especially during their time of Ramadan.

This is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez. Here we have a book that actually looks very closely at Jesus's death and resurrection.

It's called captivated beholding the mystery of Jesus death and resurrection, and it's available to you. We have a do right now offered on our website for donation of any amount if you go to core Christianity.com/offers. Look for the book captivated work and I will do a second program today normally are our live program goes for about 30 minutes and after we finish this live show today were to be recording a second program second core Christianity episode little air at a later date. So if you have questions for pastor, a drill, you can still call us for the next 40 minutes or so and let us know your question, let's go to Timothy in Wichita, Kansas Timothy what your question for atrial ball and all. My question was order.

I know one. This agreement between some denominations. There are Catholics and a lot of Protestant is the symbolism versus actual of Christ's body and blood in the holy Communion or the Eucharist. Depending on who you talk to. Where do we as Protestants get our support in Scripture for the fact that it's not the way that the communion is taken. Yeah, hey Timothy, thank you for that question really thoughtful question and so were talking about the Lord's supper in the presence of Christ in the supper. And there are some who say well you know it at that. The Lord's supper with what happens. Miraculously, by the power the Holy Spirit is the elements of bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Jesus.

I know now they look and taste like bread and wine still but in terms of their substance. They become the body and blood of Jesus, so that you no longer have bread and wine. I think that when we offer the Lord separates more than just a time of of remembrance it's it is communion with the very body and blood of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, but the bread and the wine remain bread and wine are not transformed into something else. It's through them and by faith that we receive the reality that they signify, and that's how that's out that you these covenant signs work in. In Scripture you have this sign of a greater realities signify something else in it that seals that the goodness of God. The promises of God to us by faith needs is it's it it's I think we see throughout the Old Testament and New Testament related to the sacraments are these covenant signs and Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 11 verse 27 whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup that is the line of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord is eats it still bread and wine. He's referring it to did that that the body there is as bread and yet there is this Thai this this this union if you will, between the sign bread and that which the sign signifies the body of Jesus that we want to be careful that we don't will separate that we don't sever that it's through this bread that we received by faith that actual receiving is the body of Jesus, not in that the that the bread is transformed into the physical body of Jesus, but that through the sign that God gives us. He communicates his grace to us his gospel the body and blood of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and in and of course were talking about something very mysterious here and I hope that we can we can at least embrace that realities is this is more than just a little cracker and and some wine. No were talking about a special communion that we have with the body and blood of Jesus Christ by faith.

If you're looking for proof text for that me just earlier first Corinthians 10 verse 16. The cup of blessing that we bless is it not a participation in the blood of Christ, the red that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ.

And so I just think when you look at the language of covenant signs and in Scripture, Timothy, and when you when you see these passages were Paul, still talking about bread and wine in holy Communion. It's better to understand it as it's not that these elements are transformed into something else, but that through them.

Really we as the people of God by faith are transformed as we receive the promises of God given to us there in the signs that he that he's that he's instituted. Jesus instituted for the good of the church and so we do this is this is a day with the Bible does. We do have communion with the true body and blood of Jesus Christ is is really and truly present by the power of the Holy Spirit into our union with him by the power of the Holy Spirit, and so and so you know that there's a sense in which there is agreement there among many Christian denominations it. The question is how do we receive the body and blood of Christ, and that's where I would disagree with that, my friends are Roman Catholics or Eastern Orthodox but again we we can talk about this and open up the Scriptures and those are just a few of the passages that I would go to Timothy. May the Lord bless you as you continue to seek him and honor him and do everything in accordance with his work.

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