Justification and sanctification

[Anastasia13]

Is there a difference?

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='Light and Truth' date='Sep 8 2005, 10:15 PM']Is there a difference?
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yes, there is.

here's how i have always understood the distinction in my mind. "justification" seems to refer more to your standing before the Lord, your relationship with him. "sanctification" seems to refer more to the state of your soul, its "cleaniless" if you will. a soul that has been sanctified is without the stain of sin. one may also say that we are justified through sanctification by God's grace. once we have been cleansed ("sanctified") we can be said to be in right relationship with the Lord ("justified").

others may be able to provide more theologically precise definitions. i invite correction as well.

pax christi,
nick