How is sanctification different from justification?
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Justification is a one-time legal declaration, while sanctification is the ongoing process of being made holy by Christ.
Sanctification differs from justification in that it is not a legal declaration but an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, conforming them more and more to the likeness of Christ. While justification occurs once at the moment of faith, where the believer is declared righteous in Christ, sanctification is a continuous process where God separates the believer to Himself, teaching them to walk in holiness. According to Galatians 2:20, believers live by faith in Christ, who empowers them to live a life that reflects their new identity. This process is entirely dependent on God's grace and work through the Holy Spirit, reminding us that sanctification is as central to the gospel as justification, as both are entirely rooted in Christ's redemptive work.
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