Union with Christ: Justification and Sanctification Explained
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter questions about the significance of living a godly life once we have been justified by faith. Some might argue that since salvation is assured, the pursuit of holiness is optional. However, the Apostle Paul addresses this misconception in Romans 6, emphasizing that our union with Christ transforms us. When we are baptized into Christ, we are united with Him in His death and resurrection, leading us to walk in newness of life. Justification and sanctification, though distinct, are inseparable gifts found in Christ. Just as the sun provides both heat and light, our relationship with Christ offers both justification and sanctification.
Understanding this union with Christ reshapes our perspective. Instead of viewing justification and sanctification as separate steps in a linear process, we should see them as interconnected aspects of being in Christ. This union ensures that those justified will naturally pursue holiness, as sanctification is an integral part of the Christian life.
Faith plays a crucial role in this process. We are justified by faith, grace, and the blood of Christ. Faith is not a work we offer to God but the means by which we receive His gift of salvation. It is the channel through which Christ's righteousness becomes ours. Our salvation does not depend on the strength of our faith but on the strength of our Savior. Just as a solid foundation supports us regardless of our confidence, Christ's strength upholds us even when our faith wavers.
Ultimately, our journey is not about the magnitude of our faith but the greatness of our Savior. In moments of doubt, we can find assurance in the steadfastness of Christ, who offers us all spiritual blessings. Our faith, though sometimes trembling, is the open hand that receives the fullness of what Christ has accomplished for us.
Key Takeaways:
- Union with Christ is central to understanding the relationship between justification and sanctification. These are distinct yet inseparable gifts that transform our lives, leading us to walk in newness of life. [13:26]
- Justification and sanctification should not be viewed as separate steps but as interconnected aspects of being in Christ. This perspective ensures that those justified will naturally pursue holiness. [15:31]
- Faith is the means by which we receive God's gift of salvation. It is not a work we offer but the channel through which Christ's righteousness becomes ours. Our salvation rests on the strength of our Savior, not the strength of our faith. [22:41]
- Genuine faith is more than words; it produces the good fruit of a growing likeness to Jesus. This transformation is evidence of our union with Christ and the gifts of justification, redemption, and sanctification. [19:54]
- Our journey of faith is not about the magnitude of our faith but the greatness of our Savior. In moments of doubt, we find assurance in Christ's steadfastness, who offers us all spiritual blessings. [25:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [11:43] - Misunderstanding Justification
- [12:19] - The Question of Sin
- [12:33] - Union with Christ
- [13:26] - Justification and Sanctification
- [14:18] - Gifts in Christ
- [15:11] - The Circle of Christ
- [16:24] - Sun's Heat and Light Analogy
- [17:38] - Role of Faith
- [18:11] - Justified by Faith
- [19:18] - Faith and Works
- [20:28] - Justified by Grace
- [21:27] - Justified by Christ's Blood
- [22:41] - Faith's Role in Salvation
- [23:30] - The Ice Analogy
- [25:02] - Strength of the Savior
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 6:1-4
2. 1 Corinthians 1:30
3. Romans 5:1, 9
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 6:1-4, what does Paul say about continuing in sin after being justified by faith? How does he describe our union with Christ? [12:33]
2. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, what are the gifts mentioned that we receive in Christ? How are these gifts related to our union with Him? [15:48]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between justification and sanctification? What analogy is used to explain their connection? [16:24]
4. What role does faith play in our justification according to Romans 5:1, 9, and how is it described in the sermon? [22:41]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "in Christ" change the way we view justification and sanctification? Why is it important to see them as interconnected rather than separate? [15:31]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of faith as a channel for receiving Christ's righteousness? How does this understanding affect our view of salvation? [22:41]
3. How does the analogy of the sun's heat and light help us understand the inseparability of justification and sanctification? What implications does this have for our daily walk with Christ? [16:24]
4. In what ways does the sermon challenge the idea that faith is merely a personal declaration without evidence of transformation? How does this relate to the concept of genuine faith? [19:54]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How do you perceive the relationship between justification and sanctification? Are there areas where you might be treating them as separate? [15:31]
2. In moments of doubt, how can you remind yourself of the strength of your Savior rather than focusing on the strength of your faith? What practical steps can you take to shift your focus? [25:02]
3. Consider the analogy of the sun's heat and light. How can you ensure that your life reflects both the justification and sanctification that come from being in Christ? [16:24]
4. Think about a time when your faith felt weak. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience about relying on Christ's strength? [23:14]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can actively pursue holiness as a natural outcome of your justification. What specific actions will you take this week to grow in that area? [15:31]
6. How can you cultivate a genuine faith that produces good fruit and a growing likeness to Jesus? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine or mindset? [19:54]
7. Reflect on the role of faith as an open hand to receive Christ's gifts. How can you practice this posture of receiving in your spiritual life this week? [21:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Union with Christ Transforms Our Lives
Our union with Christ is a profound mystery that reshapes our entire existence. When we are baptized into Christ, we are united with Him in His death and resurrection, which leads us to walk in newness of life. This union is not merely a theological concept but a transformative reality that affects every aspect of our being. Justification and sanctification, though distinct, are inseparable gifts found in Christ. They are like the sun, which provides both heat and light, illustrating how our relationship with Christ offers both justification and sanctification. This union ensures that those justified will naturally pursue holiness, as sanctification is an integral part of the Christian life. [13:26]
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." (Romans 6:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively embrace your union with Christ today, allowing it to transform your daily actions and decisions?
Day 2: Justification and Sanctification as Interconnected Aspects
Justification and sanctification should not be viewed as separate steps in a linear process but as interconnected aspects of being in Christ. This perspective ensures that those justified will naturally pursue holiness. Understanding this union with Christ reshapes our perspective, leading us to see that sanctification is not optional but a natural outflow of our justification. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we are continually being transformed into His likeness, producing the good fruit of a growing likeness to Jesus. This transformation is evidence of our union with Christ and the gifts of justification, redemption, and sanctification. [15:31]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of justification and sanctification in your life today?
Day 3: Faith as the Channel of Salvation
Faith is the means by which we receive God's gift of salvation. It is not a work we offer but the channel through which Christ's righteousness becomes ours. Our salvation rests on the strength of our Savior, not the strength of our faith. Just as a solid foundation supports us regardless of our confidence, Christ's strength upholds us even when our faith wavers. This assurance allows us to rest in the steadfastness of Christ, who offers us all spiritual blessings. [22:41]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the strength of your Savior rather than the strength of your faith?
Day 4: Genuine Faith Produces Transformation
Genuine faith is more than words; it produces the good fruit of a growing likeness to Jesus. This transformation is evidence of our union with Christ and the gifts of justification, redemption, and sanctification. As we grow in our faith, we are continually being transformed into the image of Christ, reflecting His love, grace, and truth in our lives. This transformation is not something we achieve on our own but is the work of the Holy Spirit within us, shaping us to be more like Christ each day. [19:54]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What specific changes can you make today to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you more into the likeness of Christ?
Day 5: The Greatness of Our Savior
Our journey of faith is not about the magnitude of our faith but the greatness of our Savior. In moments of doubt, we find assurance in Christ's steadfastness, who offers us all spiritual blessings. Our faith, though sometimes trembling, is the open hand that receives the fullness of what Christ has accomplished for us. This perspective shifts our focus from our own efforts to the sufficiency of Christ, allowing us to rest in His completed work and find peace in His presence. [25:02]
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from the strength of your faith to the greatness of your Savior in your current circumstances?
Quotes
The Apostle Paul explains the doctrine of justification by faith in Romans chapter 5 and in the very next chapter he deals with the question that naturally arises from this truth Romans chapter 6 and verse 1 what shall we say then are we to continue in sin that Grace May abound see what he's asking. [00:12:18]
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death we were buried therefore with him by baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father we too might walk in newness of life. [00:12:46]
The relationship between justification in which we're declared right with God and sanctification the ongoing process by which the holy spirit makes you more like Jesus that relationship is really important and the way that these two things are connected is that they're both found in Christ. [00:13:34]
Justification and sanctification are two distinct things but they're not separate things because they're both found together in Christ now seeing the centrality of Union with Christ in the New Testament has really helped me here for many years I'd thought about the gifts of Christ. [00:14:06]
In the circle are justification sanctification Redemption adoption and more apart from Christ that's outside the circle none of these are yours but in Christ that is in the circle all of these are yours if you want to be justified well you have to be in Christ. [00:15:07]
The Sun gives heat and it also gives light now the sun's Heat and the Sun's light are distinct but they're also Inseparable they're distinct because the sun's heat is not its light and its light is not its heat they're different but they are inseparable because where the sun is there is both heat and light. [00:16:26]
Justification and sanctification are distinct Gifts of Christ and that is why we can have peace with God even though we are a long way from what God calls us to be but justification and sanctification are also Inseparable gifts and that is why all who are Justified will pursue Holiness of life. [00:16:55]
Faith is the bond of a living Union that you unites us with Jesus Christ and when the Bible says that we are justified by faith it is telling us that we are justified in and through the Lord Jesus Christ and never without him and never apart from him by faith. [00:18:24]
James is reminding us that genuine faith is More Than Words genuine Faith Works it produces the good fruit of a growing likeness to Jesus and the reason that Faith does this is that it unites you to Christ in whom you have the wonderful gifts not only of justification but also of redemption sanctification adoption and so much more. [00:19:54]
Justified by Grace reminds us that justification is a free gift so don't ever think of Faith as a kind of work that you offer to God in return for justification no faith is simply the means by which we receive this wonderful gift from the hands of God faith is like an empty hand open to receive. [00:20:39]
It is not faith that saves us what saves us is the Lord Jesus Christ and his perfect work it is the death of Christ upon calvary's cross that saves us it is his perfect life that saves us it is his appearing on our behalf in the presence of God that saves us it is God putting Christ's righteousness to our account that saves us. [00:22:00]
Your salvation does not rest on the strength of your faith but on the strength of your savior and knowing this will help you especially when you feel the weakness of your own faith because what matters most is not that you have a great faith but that you have a great savior. [00:23:07]
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