Class #18: There is a distinction between justification(Christ for me) and the fruits of justification, called sanctification(Christ in me). A person is saved when he is justified by faith in Christ, “who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:20). It always follows that the person who is justified, is sanctified. That is, God creates a new heart so that the Christian desires to please God and love the neighbor. Nevertheless, due to the sinful nature, that sanctification is imperfect. We are not saved by our sanctification, nor do we trust in our sanctification. We trust in Christ for our justification, which is always perfect.
At the end of Galatians, chapter 2, St. Paul begins to speak about the results or fruits of the Galatians having been crucified with Christ(justification). “Christ lives in(ἐν) me” and “I live in(ἐν) faith to the Son of God” (Gal 2:20). Beginning with Galatians, chapter 3, he asks them to look at how their Christian life began, if they were now continuing to live by faith, and the suffering they had endured as a Christian.
With this lesson, we examine the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article III. Righteousness, 24-29, 37-54, in order to clearly speak about justification and sanctification. We take note Of the 7+ ways to fail at distinguishing between justification and sanctification.
Overhead: Galatians Class 18 Overhead
Handout: Formula of Concord Solid Declaration III Righteousness Jan 15 2017
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