Justification – Sanctification – Glorification
This article serves as a fitting conclusion to the book of Romans.
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
The Act of Believing – Justification
The book of Romans can be summarized with the above passage. The gospel is indeed the answer to the problems of today. It is effective in saving every individual from sickness, poverty and from the bondage of the devil. Suffering and injustice is the result of the sinful nature of man that requires the sacrifice of God’s son to restore humanity to abundant living. In order for him to experience salvation, he must first believe in the gospel through which he is justified. The act of believing involves man’s acknowledgment of God as the Master and Savior of his life and surrender his will to Him. Here, man must learn to depend on God to save him from his sufferings and bondages.
The Power of God to Save – Sanctification
When man believes in the gospel, God immediately restores him to the full status as a son. He ordains his days as his vessel to restore and rule the earth with God’s authority and power. God imparts to man His virtues of wisdom, character and power through the indwelling Spirit. It is through His Spirit that man begins to shed off the sinful nature and take on the nature of God. God’s salvation begins with man’s spirit, then the restoration of his soul, followed by his physical body and finally his environment.
Perseverance to Accomplish the Call – Glorification
When God calls a man, he calls him to give his life to accomplish a mission. And after he has done the will of God, he will receive a reward. God is the one who calls, who justifies him as a son, who sanctifies him for His work, and finally to glorify him upon accomplishing the call. The “righteous” refers to those who put God’s mission as their life goal, and they will persevere in demonstration of their faith to accomplish the call. The gospel calls for celebration for those who “live by faith”, by forsaking their lives for the call only to be glorified on the day when Christ returns.
Dear Lord, I honor You as Lord and Master and I commit myself as Your son to do all that You command. I thank You for adopting me as Your son to participate in the restoration of Your Kingdom. Sanctify my mind with Your wisdom, and my heart with Your love. Sanctify my body with Your power so that I can serve You and You alone. Reveal to me Your call for my life and empower me to fulfill it. I desire to fulfill what You have called me to and be glorified with You on that day when You return. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.