Christian Doctrine: Justification versus Sanctification
Yes, I'm still alive, as my twitter stream would substantiate. Felt led to share this. First, some background: I'm a Protestant Christian. As such, I follow the doctrine of Justfication by Faith ( Sola Fide ). Justification by Faith , broadly defined, means that we are 'justified', that is, redeemed or saved, by Grace from God alone through Faith, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boas t. (Ephesians 2:9, ESV). So, there's that. Simple enough? Well, yes and no. So, if I'm "Saved," through no action of my own, then it seems that my actions before and after such Justification are immaterial. If I'm a member of the elect, might I just as well go on doing things that feel good and still punch my ticket to Heaven? The answer is maddeningly simple: Yes, you might do that , in that Christ's atonement is suffic...