2. Justification and Sanctification (The Grid)

3. Justification. What does this mean? “The man who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man went home justified before God” (Luke 18:13-14). Justification means a person has been acquitted in the courtroom of God only because of the saving work of Jesus. “We know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).

4. Sanctification. What does this mean? Speaking to Believers (the justified), the Apostle writes: “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable… For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thess 4:3- 7). Sanctification refers to the life we live as believers in Christ. “May God himself… sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 5:23)

5. Justification is that moment (a point) in time when God works saving faith in Christ into a person’s heart. Sanctification is everything that happens after being justified, and continues until the believer reaches heaven. It is the believer’s response to being justified. Growing in faith, so that we grow stronger in a life that thankfully honors Jesus, is part of our sanctification.

6. The diagram that follows shows how the law and the gospel function in the spheres of justification and sanctification. This diagram is often called “The Grid.”

7. (How does God judge me?)(How can I thank God?) Thru the Law: Thru the gospel: a sinner, sinful guilty; damned He guides me; Points the way sinless, righteous “Just-as-if-I’d” He empowers me; Energizes me for never sinned. “set apart” living. Gospel is the foundation of salvation!