It’s critical to know the difference between salvation and sanctification. When we get them confused, it can be a source of misunderstanding—and even anguish.

Salvation is about your standing with God. (This is sometimes called “justification.”) By ourselves we are sinful and separated from him. But when we trust in Jesus and in what he has done for us, he saves us from the consequence of that sin. On the cross and through the empty tomb he gains for us what we could not earn for ourselves: forgiveness, peace and reconciliation with God forever. This is a free and gracious gift!

A famous verse about salvation is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Sanctification, on the other hand, is the process of becoming more like Christ. Literally it means the process of becoming more holy. It’s a work-in-progress for all of us—and yes, sometimes it feels like we go a few steps forward only to go a few steps back. But Christians are striving, with God’s help, to be more like Jesus. We want to be his hands and feet of grace and truth in the world. That’s sanctification. 

This too is what God wants for you: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

So everyone who trusts in Jesus is saved, but not everyone is at the same place in the process of sanctification. People are at different levels of spiritual maturity. 

I say this to encourage you. Just because you look at your life and notice all the flaws, that doesn’t mean you’re not a real believer. 

-Do you want to call on God for help? Yes. 
-Do you want to address the sin in your life? Yes. 
-Do you want to learn about love, truth and holiness in the Bible? Yes. 
-Do you want to grow and become more like Jesus? Yes.
-Is this a life-long process? Yes. 

Not only do I say this to encourage you when you get overwhelmed by your own flaws, but to re-commit to the goodness of holiness. Being different for God makes a difference. It makes you more like Jesus. It blesses people around you. It builds up God’s church. It shines light in a world of darkness. It wounds the Enemy. It advances the kingdom of God.

Know the difference between salvation and sanctification. Jesus is the basis for both. Be confident, be humble, call on God, and grow.

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Notes and extra content:

–“Why are some Christians spiritually stronger than others?” Click here. Sermon. February 16, 2025.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.