Justification and Sanctification: Living Out Our Faith
Summary
Justification and sanctification are not just theological terms to be recited or posted on a website—they are living realities that shape the way we walk with God and with one another. Justification is God’s judicial act, declaring us righteous not because of our own merit, but solely through faith in Jesus Christ. This is not a transaction we can earn or balance with good deeds; it is a gift of grace, freely given through the redemption found in Christ. The peace we have with God is rooted in this justification, and it is the foundation upon which our hope and assurance rest, even in a world that is confused and crumbling.
Sanctification, then, is the application of that justification. It is God setting us apart for His purposes, declaring us as belonging to Him. This is not a passive reality; it is a call to live out what we believe, to let our faith shape our actions, our relationships, and our daily lives. Just as God called the firstborn of Israel to be set apart, so He calls each of us to be holy, consecrated for His use, and to reflect His character in the world.
Turning to John 17, we see the heart of Jesus’ prayer for His followers—a prayer centered on relationships. Jesus speaks to His Father about the hour that has come, the work He has finished, and the people the Father has given Him. He prays not for the world at large, but specifically for those who belong to Him, those who have been called out and set apart. This is a separated calling, a special circumstance in which we are not only justified and sanctified, but also kept and protected by the Father’s name.
Jesus’ prayer reveals the depth of our relationship with God: we are chosen, we are given His word, and we are kept in unity and joy even as we remain in a world that may not understand or accept us. Our faith is not just a private conviction; it is a lived reality, a testimony to the grace and love of God that has claimed us, set us apart, and sent us into the world to bear fruit that remains.
Key Takeaways
- Justification is a judicial act of God, declaring us righteous solely by faith in Christ, not by our own works or merit. This declaration is not simply a legal fiction but a profound reality that brings us peace with God and access to His grace, even when the world around us is in turmoil. Our standing before God is secure because it rests on Christ’s finished work, not our fluctuating performance. [40:55]
- Sanctification is the ongoing application of justification, where God sets us apart for His purposes and calls us to live holy lives. This is not about external rituals or mere separation from the world, but about being consecrated for God’s use—belonging to Him in every aspect of our lives. True sanctification is evidenced by a growing love for Christ and a deepening hatred of sin, as we allow God’s purposes to shape our identity and actions. [53:18]
- Our relationship with God is rooted in His initiative—He has chosen us, called us out of the world, and given us to Christ. This separated calling is not based on our qualifications or achievements, but on God’s sovereign love and purpose. We are invited to participate in His mission, not by our own strength, but by the power and ordination that comes from Him. [54:47]
- Jesus’ prayer in John 17 highlights the special circumstance of being kept and protected by the Father in a world that is often hostile to faith. He does not pray for us to be removed from the world, but to be preserved in it, united in purpose and filled with His joy. Our security and unity are found in our relationship with Christ and with one another, even as we navigate the challenges and opposition of the world. [57:59]
- The Word of God is the anchor for our faith and the source of our distinctiveness in the world. While the world may misunderstand or even hate us for holding to the truth of Scripture, we are called to stand firm, trusting that God’s Word is always correct and His promises are sure. Our faith is not blind or irrational, but grounded in the unchanging truth of God’s revelation, which sustains us and sets us apart for His glory. [01:01:33]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Praying for Absent Members
[02:10] - Articles of Faith: Belief and Practice
[05:30] - Justification: God’s Judicial Act
[10:15] - The Nature of Faith and Its Application
[14:40] - Sanctification: Set Apart for God
[19:05] - Old Testament Roots of Sanctification
[22:50] - The Love of God and Our Response
[25:30] - Introduction to John 17
[28:00] - Jesus’ Relationship with the Father
[32:10] - The Separated Calling of Believers
[36:00] - Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples
[40:55] - The Security and Unity of God’s People
[44:06] - Living Out Our Faith in a Hostile World
[48:50] - The Power and Sufficiency of God’s Word
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Justification, Sanctification, and Living Set Apart
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### Bible Reading
- Romans 5:1-2
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
- Numbers 3:13
"Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the Lord."
- John 17:1-19
(Jesus’ prayer for His followers, focusing on their being set apart, kept, and sent into the world.)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Romans 5:1-2, what does Paul say is the result of being justified by faith? How does this connect to our relationship with God? [10:15]
2. According to Numbers 3:13, what does it mean for something or someone to be “sanctified” or “set apart” for God? [19:05]
3. In John 17, who does Jesus specifically pray for, and what does He ask the Father to do for them? [56:42]
4. What does Jesus say about the relationship between His followers and the world in John 17:14-16? [01:01:33]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon described justification as a “judicial act” of God, not something we can earn. Why is it important to understand that our standing before God is based on Christ’s work and not our own? How might this affect someone’s sense of peace or assurance? [10:15]
2. Sanctification was described as the “application” of justification—God setting us apart for His purposes. How does this idea challenge the way we think about living out our faith day-to-day? [19:05]
3. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is described as a “special circumstance” where He prays not for the world, but for those given to Him. What does this tell us about the nature of our relationship with God and our calling as believers? [57:12]
4. The sermon mentioned that the world may misunderstand or even hate us for holding to the truth of Scripture. How should believers respond to this reality, according to Jesus’ prayer? [01:01:33]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that justification is a gift, not something we can earn. Are there areas in your life where you still feel like you have to “earn” God’s approval? How can you remind yourself this week that your peace with God is based on Christ’s finished work? [10:15]
2. Sanctification means being set apart for God’s purposes, not just avoiding certain behaviors. What is one area of your daily life (work, family, friendships) where you sense God calling you to live differently because you belong to Him? [19:05]
3. Jesus prayed for His followers to be kept and protected in the world, not removed from it. What are some practical ways you can stay engaged with the world around you while still living out your faith boldly? [57:59]
4. The sermon talked about a “separated calling”—that God has chosen and called us out of the world for a purpose. How does knowing you are chosen and set apart by God affect the way you see yourself and your mission? [54:47]
5. Jesus said He has given us God’s Word, and that this makes us distinct from the world. Is there a specific truth from Scripture that you find difficult to stand for in today’s culture? How can you find courage to hold to it this week? [01:01:33]
6. The sermon mentioned that true sanctification is shown by a growing love for Christ and a deepening hatred of sin. What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in your love for Jesus or to turn away from a specific sin? [19:05]
7. Our unity and joy are found in our relationship with Christ and with one another. Is there a relationship in your life (in church, family, or elsewhere) where you need to pursue greater unity or reconciliation? What is one step you can take toward that this week? [01:00:26]
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Devotional
Day 1: Justification by Faith Brings Peace with God
Justification is not something we can earn or buy; it is a judicial act of God, declaring us innocent and righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. This peace with God is not based on our good deeds outweighing our bad, but on the finished work of Christ, freely given by His grace. In a world full of confusion and shifting definitions, the believer stands secure, having access by faith into the grace in which we stand, rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. This truth is not just a belief to be posted on a website, but a reality to be lived out daily, knowing that our justification is a gift from God, not a result of our own efforts. [07:40]
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you still try to “earn” God’s approval instead of resting in the peace that comes from being justified by faith alone?
Day 2: Sanctification—Set Apart for God’s Purpose
Sanctification is the application of justification; it is God setting us apart for His intended use, declaring us as belonging to Him. To be sanctified means to be made holy, consecrated, and dedicated for God’s purposes, not just in theory but in the daily practice of our lives. Just as God commanded the firstborn of Israel to be set apart as His own, so too are we called to live lives that are distinct, marked by holiness and usefulness to our Designer. This is not a passive state but an active calling to live out our faith, allowing God’s power to work through us for His glory. [13:10]
Numbers 3:13 (ESV)
"For all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the Lord."
Reflection: What is one area of your life you sense God calling you to set apart for His use this week?
Day 3: Eternal Life Is Knowing God and Jesus Christ
Eternal life is not merely about living forever, but about knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. This relationship is at the heart of salvation—being given the power to become children of God, to speak to Him, and to experience the fullness of life He offers. Jesus prayed that we would know God intimately, not just as a distant deity but as our Heavenly Father, and that this knowledge would transform our lives. In a world that often centers on self, the call is to step outside our own circles and enter into a deep, abiding relationship with God through Christ. [48:50]
John 17:2-3 (ESV)
"Since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Reflection: How can you intentionally deepen your relationship with God today, moving beyond routine to truly knowing Him?
Day 4: A Separated Calling—Chosen and Sent by God
Believers are called out of the world and given a new identity and purpose in Christ; this is a separated calling, not based on our own choosing but on God’s initiative. Jesus made it clear that He chose and ordained His followers to bear fruit that remains, and this calling is for every believer, regardless of their perceived abilities or limitations. Whether through prayer, encouragement, or acts of service, each person is set apart to participate in God’s mission, reflecting Christ in a world that desperately needs Him. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, rooted in God’s love and purpose for His people. [54:47]
John 17:6 (ESV)
"I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word."
Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage or pray for today as part of living out your calling as someone set apart by God?
Day 5: Jesus Prays for Our Unity and Protection
Jesus’ prayer for His followers is that they would be kept in God’s name, united as one just as He and the Father are one, and protected from the evil in the world. Though believers remain in a world that may hate or misunderstand them, they are not left alone; Jesus intercedes for them, asking the Father to keep them and fill them with His joy. This unity and protection are not just for comfort, but so that the world may see God’s love and truth through His people. The call is to embrace this oneness and rely on God’s keeping power as we live out our faith in a challenging world. [01:00:26]
John 17:11-13 (ESV)
"And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to pursue unity with another believer or to pray for God’s protection over your church family?
Quotes
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