5/18/12- The Point of Sanctification

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ² By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ³ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life...¹¹ Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:1-4, 11-14) 

WLC Q. 77: How do Justification and Sanctification Differ?  Although sanctification is eternally tied to justification, they are different in the following ways:
1) God clothes us in Christ's righteousness in justification; in sanctification God seeps grace into us and enables us to use His grace. 
2) In justification sin is pardoned; in sanctification it is subdued. 
3) Justification perfectly frees us from God's wrath so we are not condemned; sanctification is not equally distributed in all, nor perfect in this life, but ever-growing toward the goal of perfect holiness. 

Thoughts: The great thing about justification is that it is given to all who ask- whether they are believers for a long time or a short time.  Thus the thief on the cross is justified though he was a believer at the last minute, while a long-time believer is give the same grace.  Sanctification is at different levels for different people.  Some may wonder- if we are all justified alike, what is the point of sanctification?
    Sanctification is joy in the journey, it is growing to be more like Christ.  Sanctification is becoming more and more what we were designed and directed to be.  The point of sanctification is pleasing God, glorifying Him, pointing toward Him. Luther spoke of wanting to honor God because we are grateful for what He has done for us.  Sanctification, is not for what we get out of it only- it is primarily to do what we are supposed to do- to fulfill our purpose to glorify and enjoy God.  

Prayer: Help me to grow in my love for pleasing you- so that pleasing you, O Lord, is my first love.  Help me to love pleasing you more than pleasing others or pleasing myself.