November 2

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. — 1 Cor 6:11 BSB

Justification and sanctification are distinct blessings. Justification stems from the finished work of the Son of God, while sanctification flows from the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Sin has stained us both externally and internally. We cannot stand before God unless we are washed in the blood of the Lamb and clothed in His perfect righteousness. This righteousness is our title to heaven, while holiness is our fitness for it. The former is our wedding garment; the latter, our spiritual preparation. As a hymn so beautifully puts it:

“He adorned my naked soul,
And made salvation mine;
Upon a poor, polluted worm,
He makes His graces shine.

And, lest a shadow of a spot
Should on my soul be found,
He took the robe the Savior wrought,
And wrapped it all around.

The Spirit worked my faith and love,
And hope and every grace;
But Jesus spent His life to weave
The robe of righteousness.”

Without these two qualifications—justification and sanctification—there could be no entrance into heaven, nor would there be any joy if entrance were gained. Think not only of God's infinite purity and holiness but also of the blazing splendor of His presence and the piercing light of His all-seeing eye. Who or what could stand in His presence except what is absolutely perfect, both inside and out? The Church could not, unless she were washed in the blood of Christ, clothed in His righteousness, and perfectly sanctified by the Holy Spirit. As it is written, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her, to sanctify and cleanse her by the washing of water through the Word, so that He might present her to Himself as a glorious Church, without stain, wrinkle, or blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27).