Both Justification and sanctification are God’s work, and while they can and must be distinguished, the Bible will not allow us to separate them. The reason being is that both are gifts of our union with Christ, also, within this double-blessing; justification is the root of sanctification and sanctification is the fruit of justification.
Justification, in Christian theology, is God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy.
“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”–Saint Basil
“If you want to change the fruits, you will first have to change the roots. If you want to change the visible, you must first change the invisible.”–T Harv Eker
ROOTS AND FRUITS
There is a lesson of the “seed” in its sending a shoot down so that it may be rooted and grounded, while at the same time it sends a shoot up to be the plant and flower that shall gladden the world.
The two growths are necessary. Because without the strong root it would soon wither, as much activity fails for lack of growth in God’s ways. The higher the growth up, the deepermust be the en-rooting.
Many forget this and therefore their work ceases to be permanent for God. Beware of the leaves and flowers without the strong root. They will wither and die accomplishing nothing for the Kingdom of God.
“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.”–Mother Teresa
“Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.”–Abraham Joshua Heschel
“Wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. Great necessities call out great virtues.”–Abigail Adams
“Things don’t just happen in this world of arising and passing away. We don’t live in some kind of crazy, accidental universe. Things happen according to certain laws, laws of nature. Laws such as the law of karma, which teaches us that as a certain seed gets planted, so will that fruit be.”–Sharon Salzberg
“Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.”–Baltasar Gracian
“My favorite fruit is grapes. Because with grapes, you always get another chance. ‘Cause, you know, if you have a crappy apple or a peach, you’re stuck with that crappy piece of fruit. But if you have a crappy grape, no problem – just move on to the next. ‘Grapes: The Fruit of Hope.’”–Demetri Martin
We have each been given the seed to plant the roots which will bear the fruit of Justification and Sanctification in our lives, which, by the way is a ‘free gift’ from God by Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Are your roots planted deeply?
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Angela Valadez
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