Justification is a foundational concept in Christian theology, representing the moment when a person is declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ. This pivotal event marks the beginning of a transformative journey in the believer's life. However, justification is not an isolated event; it initiates a series of subsequent processes and experiences that shape the believer's spiritual growth and relationship with God. According to the Bible, several key elements follow justification, each contributing to the believer's sanctification and ultimate glorification.
First and foremost, following justification is sanctification. While justification is a one-time event where God declares the sinner righteous, sanctification is an ongoing process where the believer is gradually conformed to the image of Christ. This process is both instantaneous and progressive. The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Here, Paul emphasizes that the work of sanctification, initiated by God at the moment of justification, continues throughout the believer's life.
Sanctification involves the believer's active participation in pursuing holiness and obedience to God's commandments. It is the work of the Holy Spirit within the believer, empowering them to overcome sin and grow in righteousness. Romans 8:13 states, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." This verse highlights the cooperative nature of sanctification, where the believer must yield to the Holy Spirit's leading and actively resist sinful tendencies.
Another crucial element that follows justification is adoption. Through justification, believers are not only declared righteous but are also brought into a familial relationship with God. They become children of God and co-heirs with Christ. This profound change in status is beautifully captured in Romans 8:15-17: "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Adoption carries with it the privileges and responsibilities of being part of God's family. Believers enjoy intimate fellowship with God, access to His grace, and the assurance of His love. They also share in the sufferings of Christ, which serves to refine their faith and draw them closer to God.
Following justification, believers also experience regeneration. This is the spiritual rebirth that Jesus spoke of in John 3:3 when He said, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit, who imparts new life to the believer, enabling them to live in a manner that pleases God. It is a radical transformation that affects the believer's desires, attitudes, and actions.
The Apostle Paul describes this transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Regeneration is not merely a change in behavior but a fundamental change in nature. The believer is given a new heart and a new spirit, as prophesied in Ezekiel 36:26: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
In addition to sanctification, adoption, and regeneration, justification leads to reconciliation with God. Before justification, individuals are estranged from God due to their sin. However, through justification, they are brought into a state of peace and harmony with God. This reconciliation is made possible through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, as Paul explains in Romans 5:10-11: "For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."
Reconciliation restores the relationship between God and the believer, allowing for a vibrant and dynamic communion with Him. It also extends to relationships among believers, fostering unity and love within the body of Christ.
Furthermore, following justification, believers are called to live out their faith through good works. While good works do not contribute to justification, they are the natural outflow of a justified life. James 2:17-18 emphasizes this relationship: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
Good works are a testimony to the transformative power of justification and sanctification in the believer's life. They serve as evidence of genuine faith and glorify God. Ephesians 2:10 succinctly captures this truth: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ultimately, justification leads to the believer's glorification. This is the final stage of salvation, where believers are fully conformed to the image of Christ and enter into the eternal presence of God. Glorification is the culmination of the sanctification process and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Romans 8:30 outlines this progression: "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
Glorification involves the resurrection of the believer's body and the complete eradication of sin. It is the moment when believers receive their eternal inheritance and dwell with God forever. Revelation 21:3-4 provides a glimpse of this glorious future: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"
In summary, justification is the starting point of a profound and transformative journey in the believer's life. It is followed by sanctification, where the believer is progressively made holy; adoption, where they become children of God; regeneration, where they are spiritually reborn; reconciliation, where they are restored to a right relationship with God; the call to live out their faith through good works; and ultimately, glorification, where they are fully conformed to the image of Christ and enter into eternal glory. Each of these elements is intricately connected, reflecting the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive work in the life of the believer.
