‘Sanctification as Evidence of Salvation’

Since the Reformation, Protestants have stressed the distinction between justification, being declared or made righteous before God, and sanctification, becoming holy like God through good works and character.  This distinction is important because it emphasizes how salvation can be by grace alone and through faith alone as opposed to by works (Eph. 2:8-9). 

Still, it is a mistake to downgrade the importance of sanctification, as if it is an optional add-on.  Christians are commanded to obey God and live according to the Bible’s teachings as a direct and inevitable result of Christ’s justifying work in our lives.  This does not mean that Christians can be perfect or will not struggle with sin, but it does mean that a positive trajectory towards holiness should eventually be apparent.  These works do not serve as the basis of salvation, but they do provide evidence of salvation.

1 John 2:3-6 states, “³ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; ⁵ but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: ⁶ the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” If one is saved and truly knows and loves God, he will obey his commands.  Insofar as someone does not obey God in any noticeable way, that is a good indication that he is not saved.

Granted, we should be very careful about judging others in this manner because people will have lows in their faith and struggle.  We should be very wise and cautious and not make hasty conclusions, and normally we need to have prolong interaction with a person and knowledge of his life to make such a judgment.  That said, we would be wise to take such warnings from Scripture seriously and not brush off sanctification as if it is not that important.  If we truly love God, we would want to please him with our obedience. –EM Pastor Isak Lee