Justification and Sanctification Compared

(1) Justification in a broad sense has reference to the whole work of Christ wrought for us; sanctification, the whole work wrought in us by the Holy Spirit.

(2) Justification is a forensic and judicial act in the mind of God; sanctification, a spiritual change wrought in the hearts of men.

(3) Justification is a relative change, that is, a change in relation from condemnation to favor; sanctification, an inward change from sin to holiness.

(4) Justification secures for us the remission of actual sins; sanctification, in its complete sense, cleanses the heart from original sin or inherited depravity.

(5) Justification removes the guilt of sin, sanctification, destroys its power.

(6) Justification relieves the soul from exposure to the penalty of violated law; sanctification prepares it for the gracious rewards of virtue.

(7) Justification makes possible adoption into the family of God; sanctification restores the image of God.

(8) Justification gives a title to heaven, sanctification, a fitness for heaven.

(9) Justification logically precedes sanctification, which in its lowest or initial stage, is concomitant with it.

(10) Justification is an instantaneous and completed act, and therefore does not take place ad seriatim, or by degrees; sanctification is marked by progressiveness, that is, it has stages and degrees. There is a partial sanctification which is concomitant with justification, and there is an entire sanctification which is subsequent to it. But both initial and entire sanctification are instantaneous acts, wrought in the hearts of men by the Holy Spirit.