MODULE II: SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST (PART II – Justification and

Sanctification Aspect
(Prepared by Cerelito L. Cadao)

Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, student should be able to

• Explain systematically the Nature and function of God’s Moral Law.

• Comprehend the real essence of justification and sanctification.
• Desire transforming role of the Holy Spirit for daily justification sanctification.
Lesson Focus:

• The divine nature and function of the moral law.

• Justification and sanctification experience
• The role of the Holy Spirit in salvation and in daily justification and sanctification.
Time Allotment: 6.0 hours

• Study the Materials – 3.0 hrs.

• Answers Activity – 1 hr. 10 mins.
• Online forum – 20 minutes
• Accomplish the Assessment: 1.5
Schedule: August 25, 27, and Sept. 1, 2020

Introduction
Salvation by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ includes various aspects which are
justification, adoption, reconciliation, conversion, regeneration, and sanctification. However,
this module focuses specifically on the experience of Faith, Conversion, Justification and
Sanctification. Faith and acceptance of Christ death on our stead on the cross, leading us to
surrender fully to Christ makes us justified and giving us title to heaven. But salvation
experience does not end there. Title to heaven needs to go hand in hand with fitness to heaven
and that’s where sanctification comes in. The goal of salvation is not just for the sinners to be
pardon and be converted but to restore in him the lost image of God in preparation for
glorification with Christ in heaven.

FUNCTION OF THE MORAL LAW

A. Summary of SDA Fundamental Belief 18: The Moral Law of God
The great principles of God’s Law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and
exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human
conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the
basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment. Through the
agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense for a Savior. Salvation is all of
grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience
develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evidence of our love
for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men.
I. Activity: God’s Moral Law as reflection of God’s Character. Column one and two
discusses God’s character with its Bible references. In the same way, read the
scripture references on column four, then identify the nature of His moral law. Write
your answer in column three. Hint: For you not to find difficulty, take note that
God’s Moral law are reflections of God’s Character.

God’s Character with its Scripture Nature of the Moral Law with its
References Scripture References
Spiritual John 4:24 Spiritual Romans 7:14
Love I John 4:8 Matthew 22: 37-40;
Love Romans 13:9,10
Truth Psalms 31:5; Isaiah Truth Psalms 119:142,151
65:16, John 14:6
Righteous Psalm 145:17; I Righteous Psalm 119: 142,172;
Corinthians 1:30 Romans 7:12
Holy Leviticus 11:44; Isaiah Holy Romans 7:12
6:3
Perfect Matthew 4:47 Perfect Psalm 19:7
Eternal Habakkuk 1:12; Genesis Eternal Psalms 111:7,8;
21:33 119:98
Good Luke 6:35, 18:19 Good Romans 7:12
Pure I John 3: 3 Pure Psalms 19:8
Immutable Malachi 3:6; James 1:17 Immutable Matthew 5:18, Psalms
18:34

Theological Discussion on God’s Moral Law. Below are theological comments of theologians
regarding the character, the nature and continuity of the Moral Law. Read carefully and analyze
these thoughts.
a. “The Law of God, and especially the ten commandments, reflects God’s character.
The decalogue has existed and will exist as long as His character remains unchanged
forever”. Mario Veloso, The Law of God, Handbook of SDA Theology p. 460

b. “The moral law is a transcript in human language of the character and will of God,
and the principles by which His creatures are to live. Because the moral law comes
 from God and expresses His character, and because God’s character is changeless,
the principles this law sets forth are likewise eternal.” Seventh-day Adventist
Encyclopedia s.v. “Law”

c. “The principles set forth in the moral law are eternal…. The character implanted
these principles in the hearts of our first parents when He created them. At mount
Sinai He set forth these principles in the form of 10 explicit commands, in language
suitable to the condition of humanity, fall in sin.” Ibid

d. “Christ’s life and His teaching were altogether in harmony with the moral law. He
vindicated this law, established it, confirmed it, and honored it by perfect obedience
to its requirements. Those who choose to follow Christ will seek to become like Him.
God’s moral law will be written on their hearts and minds. All who have been truly
converted and saved by grace will find their supreme joy in loving submission to the
divine authority of the moral law, for in acknowledging that authority they
acknowledge the authority of its author, Jesus Christ.” Ibid

e. “The Ten Commandments are an adaptation of heaven’s moral law into 10 precepts
for guidance of the human race.” Frank B. Holbrook, “The Great Controversy”
Handbook of Seventh-Day Adventist theology p. 973

The Function of the Moral Law:

a. The proper function of the moral law is to make a clear-cut distinction between right
and wrong, to make known to humanity the standard of conduct of which God
approves, to condemn all conduct that fall short of that standard, to convict those guilty
of such conduct, and to convince sinners of their need for salvation by faith in the grace
of Christ. But the moral law cannot justify sinners who violate it, nor can it provide
either the desire or the ability to live in harmony with its precepts, nor dies observance
of it ingratiate a person with God. These are improper uses of the moral law and
constitute what is known as legalism, which is the belief and attempt to find salvation
and acceptance with God by one’s own effort to keep the law, in contradiction to
salvation by grace alone.” SDAE, s.v. “Law”

b. “The moral law’s purpose is not to solve the problem of sin. That come only by the
atoning sacrifice of Christ, which each Christian must accept by faith. God gave His law
to provide definitions-to show how things really are concerning life, God, and sin.
Fulfilling another purpose, the law provides direction in the Christian’s life, showing the
way of God would have His people live in gratitude, faith, and obedience.” Veloso
462,463
 c. “Sinai was not a chance stopping place on the journey but an intended, primary
destination (Ex 3:12), and thither they were led by the pillar of cloud and fire (Ex
13:21,22). The people redeemed by blood were brought by their redeemer to the place
of lawgiving (Ex 20:2). Grace precedes law, the law of God is not as system of merit
whereby the unsaved seek to earn divine favor, but a pattern of life given by the
redeemer to the redeemed so that they might know how to live for His good pleasure.
Such is the biblical understanding of the place and function of the law.” N. V. Hope,
“Law, Biblical Concept of, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.

d. “If the Moral law was not abrogated at the cross, it must be obeyed. But it is not obeyed
to obtain justification or sanctification. Legalism is pretending to be accepted by God or
to be able to remain in Him simply because of obedience. It is the foolish sin of self-
righteousness and the gross mistake of missing the righteousness freely given by God’s
grace in Christ”. Veloso, 483

e. “While salvation is by faith in Christ’s death on the cross, judgment is based on the law.”
Ibid 463

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
SDA Fundamental Belief, 10
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in
Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need,
acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord
and Christ, as substitute and example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the
divine power of the word and is the gift of God’s grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted
as God’s son and daughters, delivered from the Lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born
again and sanctified, the Spirit renews the minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and we
are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature
and have the assurance of salvation now and the judgement.
I. Justification Defined Biblically: Read the following passages and define Justification
Biblically.
a. Psalm 32:1,2
➢ Justification is to be pardon and forgiven, therefore free from condemnation.
➢ “PARDON” and JUSTIFICATION are one and the same thing. SDA Bible
Commentary, 6:1070
b. Genesis 15:6
➢ Justification is to be accounted righteous.
c. Romans 3:25
➢ Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the ground for the forgiveness of sins.
II. Justification Defined Theologically/systematically
➢ “Justification is the divine act acquittal, of declaring a repentant sinner released
from the guilt of sin and restored to divine favor.” SDAE s.v. “Justification”
➢ “The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed, the righteousness by
which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is
our fitness to heaven.” Messages to Young People p. 35
➢ “Justification is the opposite of condemnation.” EGW, SDABC, 6:1070
➢ “Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts
Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is
imputed to him, and he is no more to doubts God’s forgiving grace”. SDABC
6:1071
➢ “As the penitent sinner, contrite before God, discerns Christ’s atonement in his
behalf, and accepts this atonement as his only hope in this life and in the future
life, his sins are pardoned. This is justification by faith. SDABC 6:1071

III. Justification Explained:

a. “Justification does not impart to the recipient, in his own right, the moral quality of
being right, nor does it vest him with that quality. It simply vindicates him of the
claim of the moral law against him because of his unlawful acts. It grants him the
legal status of being considered as if he had never committed unlawful acts. His new
status is one he enjoys only by virtue of his new relationship to Jesus Christ and can
retain only by maintaining that relationship. But justification comprehends more
than pardon alone. It not only declares the sinner righteous but entitles him or her
to all the rewards and benefits that property belong to the righteous.” SDAE s.v.
Justification

b. “When a person accepts Jesus Christ as His savior, he stands accepted before God,
and enters into a new status, that of righteousness. But to begin with, this
righteousness is more ideal than actual. It does not, as yet, consist of perfect
fulfillment of the divine will, but primarily the individual has been accorded that
right to an acceptable standing before God. SDAE s.v. Justification

c. “We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of
God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us to live on earth amid trials and
temptations such as we have meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He
offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and
accept him as your savior, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you
are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and
you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned. Step to Christ p. 62
d. “When God pardon the sinner, remits the punishments he deserves, and treats him
as though he had not sinned, He receives him into divine favor, and justifies him
through the merits of Christ’s righteousness. The sinner can be justified only through
faith in the atonement made through God’s dear son, who became a sacrifice for the
sins of the guilty world. No one can be justified by any works of his own. He can be
delivered from the guilt of sin, from the condemnation of the law, from the penalty
of transgression, only by virtue of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Faith is the only condition upon which justification can be obtained, and faith
includes not only belief but trust.” 1 Selected Messages 389:1

e. Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer
passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal
subject of Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but because Christ
receives him as His child by adoption. The sinner receives the forgiveness of his sins
because their sins are borne by his Substitute and Surety…. Thus man, pardoned,
and clothed with beautiful garments of Christ’s righteousness, stands faultless
before God”. EGW, SDABC, 6:1070

f. Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the
sinners owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he
can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits
of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His son to the sinner’s accounts.
Christ’s righteousness is accepted in place of man’s failure, and God receives,
pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were
righteous, and loves him as He loves His son. This is how faith is accounted
righteousness. EGW, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 6:1073

g. “When He sees men lifting the burdens, trying to carry them in the lowliness of
mind, with distrust of self, and with reliance upon Him, He adds to their work His
perfection and sufficiency, and it is accepted of the Father. We are accepted in the
Beloved. The sinner’s defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord
our righteousness. Those who with sincere will, with contrite heart, are putting forth
humble efforts to live up to the righteousness of God, are looked upon by the Father
with pitying, tender love. He regards such as obedient children, and the
righteousness of Christ is imputed unto them.” 1888 Materials, 402

h. Romans 3:28 –

✓ Even after the forgiveness of our past sins, we are still justified by grace. We
are justified apart from works and despite our failure to fully follow the law.
 i. Romans 5:19 –
✓ Christ’s obedience is the ground of God accepting our attempts to follow the
law.
✓ Christ’s merits make up for our deficiencies when we strive to do our best in
obeying God.
✓ Christ’s merits make obedience acceptable (imputed holiness)
✓ Christ’s righteousness covers our human attempts to be holy

j. “Jesus makes up our deficiencies because He sees we cannot do it ourselves.”

Daughters of God, p. 146

k. “His perfect holiness atones for our shortcomings. When we do our best, He
becomes our righteousness.” 1888 Materials p. 242

Daily Justification

• Justification does not take place only once but also throughout a Christian’s life because
Christians still makes mistakes after their initial justification or pardon. They need to
repent throughout their life.
• Christ continually pardons and forgives. Christians need to experience daily justification.
• Thus, justification is a repeated instantaneous event in a Christian’s life.
• Every day we need Christ.
• “When we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish for sin;
for Christ will be working with us. We may make mistakes, but we will hate the sin that
caused the sufferings of the Son of God.” -The Review and Herald, March 18, 1890.
{1SM 360.2}
God continues to pardon the mistakes of His children

• “He does not give us up because of our sins. We may make mistakes and grieve His
Spirit, but when we repent and come to Him with contrite heart, he will not turn us
away.” Review and Herald, April 14, 2884
• To go forward without stumbling, we must have the assurance that a hand all powerful
will us up, and infinite pity will be exercised toward us if we fall God alone at all times
hear our cry for help. Son and daughters of God p. 154
• But suppose that we sin after we have been forgiven, after we have become the
children of God, then need we despair? No, for John writes, “My little children, these
things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with
the Faith, Jesus Christ the righteous. I John 2:1
• Jesus is in the heavenly courts pleading with the Father in our behalf. He presents our
prayers, mingling with them the precious incense of his own merit, that our prayers may
be acceptable to the Father. He puts the fragrance into our prayers, and the Father
 hears us because we ask for the very things which we need, and we become to others a
savor of life unto life. Review and Herald, March 1, 1892

SANCTIFICATION BY FAITH
It is said that justification is our title to Heaven, but the question however is, are the
justified sinners fit to heaven? To make justified sinners fit to heaven, sanctification is the
answer. Read the passages below and define Sanctification Biblically.
Meaning of Sanctification based on the following Bible passages: Read the following verses
below and check the meaning of sanctification.
a. Hebrews 10:10, I Corinthians 6:11 – Status conferred
b. Hebrews 12:14, II Corinthians 7:1 – Process pursued
c. Philippians 2:12,13 1: 6 – Working with God
d. II Thessalonians 2:13, I Peter 1:2 - The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Sanctification Defined:

• Status conferred
• Process to be pursued
• Working with God
• The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Sanctification Explained systematically:

• “Sanctification is the lifelong process of character development subsequent to

conversion, in contrast with justification.” SDAE s.v. Sanctification
• “Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in
grace…… There is no point in which we can come and say we have fully attained.” EG
White, SDABC, 7:947
• “The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the
development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in
grace, there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its
growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the
Christian life. At every stage of development out of life may be perfect, yet if God’s
purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the
work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and
knowledge increase. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity
will be in proportion to our privileges. Christ Object Lessons 65,66.

JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION: Close interrelationship between justifying grace and

sanctifying Grace.
a. I Corinthians 1:30

b. “Justification carries with it the gift of peace with God, it prepares the way for
sanctification and glorification”. SDAE s.v. “Justification”

c. “The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed, the righteousness by which we

are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness to
heaven.” Messages to Young People, p. 35

d. Justification means the saving of a soul from perdition, that he may obtain
sanctification, and through sanctification, the life of heaven. Justification means that the
conscience, purged from dead works, is placed where it can receive the blessings of
sanctification.” EG White, SDABC 7:908

e. “So, we have nothing in our selves of which to boast. We have no ground for self-
exaltations. Our only ground of hope is in the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and
in that wrought by His Spirit working in and through us.” Step to Christ p 63.

RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH
A. “Seventh-day Adventist believe that the new birth, important as it is, is only the
beginning of a life-long experience of growing up in Christ, of conforming one’s life,
point by point, to the perfect example set for the Christian in the life of Christ. The
Seventh-day Adventist emphasis is on the fact that the same Christ who saves a man
through his exercise of faith will also enable him to develop a Christian character,
likewise through faith, that righteousness by faith in Christ is a continuing process. SDA
teaching clearly recognizes and stresses that the ability to live a Christian life comes
from God, not from man’s own works or from compliance even with God’s moral law.
SDAE s.v. Righteousness by Faith

B. Seventh-day Adventists also believe that a person who has experienced justification by
faith in Christ must continue to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). Justification places a Christian’s feet on the pathway
of salvation; sanctification is the process of walking along that upward pathway toward
perfection of Jesus Christ. The person who has experienced. The person who has
experienced justification by faith in Christ will not be conformed to this world, but will
transformed by the renewing of his or her mind, as that individual discovers and applies
to his or her life what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God for him
(Romans 12:1,2). SDAE s.v. Righteousness by Faith
 C. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to
certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They
have not believed and loved it. Therefore, they have not received the power and grace
that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if
it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly minded, it is a curse
to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world. The
righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of
God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a
vital connection with him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the
life. Then the external forms of religion accord with the Christ’s internal purity. Then the
ceremonies required in the service of God are not meaningless rites, like those of the
hypocritical Pharisees. DA, 310

Summary
Christ’s life, His obedience and death, is the ground of our justification. Justification,
which is the forgiveness of past and daily sins, and the reckoning of Christ merits for us, is both
an instantaneous event and an ongoing process. Christ’s righteousness “covers” not only our
past sins but also our present life with its failures and mistakes, as we endeavor to live a holy
life. Saving grace is retained by the continual surrender of the will and the persistent
commitment to obey God, even as the Holy Spirit gradually leads the believer into holiness. The
work of holiness is primarily the work of God the Spirit. Man must cooperate with the Spirit by
a daily, constant surrender of his will. Good works are the fruits of the Spirit’s work in our lives.
References:
1. Seventh-day Adventists Belief, A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines (2006)
1. Nichol Francis D. (1980) Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
2. Horn Siegfried H. (!979) Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary

Assessment: This Assessment will serve as Prelim Exam

1. Discover the nature of the Moral Law by referring on the passages in the 4th column.
Write your answer in the 3rd column.
God’s Character with its Scripture Nature of the Moral Law with its
References Scripture References
Spiritual John 4:24 Romans 7:14
Love I John 4:8 Matthew 22: 37-40;
Romans 13:9,10
Truth Psalms 31:5; Isaiah Psalms 119:142,151
65:16, John 14:6
 Righteous Psalm 145:17; I Psalm 119: 142,172;
Corinthians 1:30 Romans 7:12
Holy Leviticus 11:44; Isaiah Romans 7:12
6:3
Perfect Matthew 4:47 Psalm 19:7
Eternal Habakkuk 1:12; Genesis Psalms 111:7,8;
21:33 119:98
Good Luke 6:35, 18:19 Romans 7:12
Pure I John 3: 3 Psalms 19:8
Immutable Malachi 3:6; James 1:17 Matthew 5:18, Psalms
18:34

2. Reviewing back the theological discussion of the “moral law” (letters a-e), write a short
reaction paper of either agreement or disagreement of 5-7 sentences. (copy paste the
quotation you want to react with then write your 5-7 sentences reaction) Then, if your
reaction is in-agreement, derive 2 or 3 biblical support from the above table of the
“nature of the moral law.” (Just write the reference only such as Matthew 5:17, no need
to write the verse). On the other hand, if you are not satisfied with the theological
concepts (disagree), establish your argument through Biblical support with correct
context and you can write it up to 10 sentences.
3. Among the explanation of the function of the Moral law, which one stand the most for
you and why?
4. After studying discussion on justification and sanctification, how would you define
Justification and sanctification biblically and systematically? How this definition assured
you of your salvation?
5. Which of the explanations of sanctification you liked/appreciated the most, and why?
6. Explain the important role of the Holy Spirit (II Thessalonians 2:13, I Peter 1:2) in our
daily sanctification to make us fit to heaven.