Mission Venture Ministries

The New Testament uses three terms to describe God’s saving work in the life of the born again believer. 

The first aspect of salvation is justification. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). 

There is no way we can enjoy a victorious Christian life unless we understand the biblical meaning of justification, because it is the foundation of everything we believe about salvation. To be justified is to be declared righteous by the Lord. Justification was initiated by God’s grace, accomplished by Christ’s death and resurrection, and is received through faith. 

Jesus lived a sinless life and obeyed the law of God perfectly; then He offered Himself on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sin. When we trust in Christ through faith, God declares us not guilty because Jesus took on our sin and suffered the punishment that we deserved: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

We need to praise God, because justification is all His work and has nothing to do with what we have done, it is due solely to His grace (Galatians 2:16). The Lord doesn’t see some goodness or worthiness in us that warrants salvation “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). As we see, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves righteous or acceptable to Holy God. The only way to be made righteous is by His amazing grace, through faith in His Son. 

The second part of salvation is sanctification. This too is a work of God on our behalf. “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Justification is a legal declaration that happened when we came to faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Although sanctification began at the same time, it is a process that continues throughout our lives as Christ’s righteousness is accomplished in and through us by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. 

Our position of righteousness can never be changed because Christ’s work on the cross cannot be undone. We are reconciled with the Father, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit forever. These are the foundational truths to which we must cling whenever sin threatens to entangle us, guilt overwhelms us, and discouragement overshadows our joy in Christ. Even in the midst of defeat, we can be confident that the good work God began in us will be completed by Him as well (Philippians 1:6). 

Although God is the one transforming us into His Son’s image, we do play a role in the process. The Lord uses a variety of means to mature us and in order to grow spiritually we must be teachable, yielding to His Spirit and filling our minds with truths from His Word. And in the process, there’s comfort in knowing that one day our growth will be complete (Philippians 3:12). 

The third and final aspect of salvation is glorification. A day is coming when our righteous standing before God will become a living reality. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Our battle with sin will be over, and we’ll never be burdened with guilt again. We will live eternally in the complete freedom of being personally righteous as well as righteous through Christ. 

Until this moment arrives we walk by faith knowing that we belong to Christ, our sins are forgiven, we’ve been declared righteous, and nothing can separate us from His love. However, tempting as it may seem to rely on justification, ignore sanctification, and live as we please until we’re glorified, that is not our goal. On the contrary, we must pursue “the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). 

There is great comfort in knowing that God has provided everything we need in salvation to both rest in Christ’s righteousness and grow in it. Take time to thank and praise Him for His great mercy and grace toward you through Christ Jesus. 

God’s favor was poured out on us at salvation when our sins were forgiven, and it is further displayed by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit who seals us as His children. His favor is a fact, but it is also something we can experience on a daily basis as we walk in it. 

After salvation, we should see the evidence of God’s favor working in our conversation, character, and conduct as we walk in the fullness of His Spirit. Our lifestyles and habits should indicate to those around us that we have the favor of God. Instead of fretting over the circumstances in our lives, we can have confidence in His presence with us and His faithfulness in answering our prayers just as God promised the psalmist. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8); but we need to learn to listen. 

God’s voice will speak quietly and clearly. He doesn’t shout but speaks softly through our conscience and into our minds, whispering, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). He wants us to know what He is saying, and has been speaking to us since the day of our salvation. First, His voice clearly convicted us of sin and moved us to repentance and salvation. Now He continues to communicate with us to bring us to obedience and surrender in our daily lives. 

Therefore, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

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