…and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39

What is “justification?” There are three necessary components of salvation. Justification. Sanctification. Glorification. All three are ours by God’s grace alone, received through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone. And all are for God’s glory alone.

Justification is what God has decreed about believers when we are initially saved.

Sanctification is what God is doing in the lives of believers from the time they believe until the time we are with Him in Heaven.

Glorification is what God will do when we are released from this life into eternity to see His face in His glorious presence in Heaven.

In the New Testament, salvation is stated in the past tense (we were saved), in the present tense (we are being saved, and in the future tense (we will be saved.)

Each speaks of being saved from a different aspect of sin. When we are justified, we are saved from sin’s penalty. As we are being sanctified, we are being saved from sin’s power. When we are glorified, we will at last be completely saved from sin’s presence.