The Cross: From Justification to Sanctification - The Key to True Happiness

The anticipation of waiting for marriage can be a long and sometimes painful process. I had longed to be married for a while, and although I didn't have to wait as long as some, it still felt like an eternity. But when my wedding day finally arrived, it was more beautiful and vibrant than I could have imagined. It was like a sunrise that takes your breath away, filling you with awe and wonder. Every little detail of that day is etched in my memory, from the nervous 10-year-old walking down the aisle to the unexpected moments of joy and laughter. Even if everything had gone wrong, even if rain had poured down and ruined all our decorations, the happiness of that day would still shine through.

A wedding day is special and unique, but it is just the beginning of a lifelong journey. It would be tragic if all we did was look at pictures and relive the memories of that one day. Similarly, our relationship with the cross can sometimes be limited to the moment of salvation. We can become fixated on the forgiveness of our sins and forget about the transformation that God wants to work in us.

Justification, the act of God declaring us righteous through faith in Jesus, is a precious and glorious reality. It brings us peace with God and opens the door to a relationship with Him. But it is not the end of the story. It is only the beginning. The cross is our entry into a life of sanctification, a process through which God shapes us to be more like Him.

Holiness is not only possible and necessary for every believer, but it is also the key to true happiness. Sanctified people, those who are growing in holiness, are the happiest people on earth. They have a deep and lasting joy that the world cannot give or take away. As J.C. Ryle eloquently puts it, "Let us feel convinced, whatever others may say, that holiness is happiness. . . . As a general rule, in the long run of life, it will be found true that ‘sanctified’ people are the happiest people on earth."

Our access to God through justification is a privilege that should not be taken for granted. Despite our sinfulness and unworthiness, God chose to save us and welcome us into His family. He did not cast us into the lake of fire but sent His Son to die for us so that we might spend eternity with Him. Our access to God is a gift that should fill us with awe and gratitude.

But access to God is not the only gift that the cross offers. It also offers us the opportunity to be transformed and become more like Christ. The apostle Paul, who championed justification by faith, also emphasized the importance of sanctification. He understood that justification and sanctification go hand in hand. Justification is the wedding, the altar, the declaration, but sanctification is the marriage. It is the lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ.

Paul rejoiced not only in the forgiveness of his sins but also in the process of sanctification. He saw suffering as a means to produce endurance, character, and ultimately hope. He knew that when we suffer and trust in God, it refines and shapes us to be more like Christ. He could rejoice in his sufferings, even in the face of imprisonment, beatings, and betrayal, because he knew that through them, he was becoming more like his Savior.

Sanctification is not about earning our salvation or trying to be perfect in our own strength. It is about cooperating with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work in us. It is about growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). It is about becoming more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions.

The pursuit of holiness is not always easy. It requires discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance. But it is worth it. The joy and fulfillment that come from pursuing holiness far outweigh any temporary pleasures that the world can offer. As we grow in holiness, we experience the truest and deepest joy that can only be found in Christ.

Our pursuit of holiness is not in vain. It strengthens our assurance of salvation and deepens our hope in Christ. Every step we take towards becoming more like Him is a testimony to His work in our lives. It is a reflection of His grace and power at work in us.

So let us not settle for just the wedding day, for just the moment of salvation. Let us embrace the marriage, the lifelong journey of sanctification. Let us rejoice in the forgiveness of our sins and the peace we have with God, but let us also desire and pursue holiness. Let us allow the cross to transform us and make us more like Christ. And as we grow in holiness, may we experience the true joy and happiness that can only be found in Him.

References:
- 1 Peter 2:24
- Hebrews 12:14
- Titus 2:14
- Galatians 5:22-23