"For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified."
Romans 2:13
Paul says "JUSTIFIED". Not sanctified, although that can certainly happen, too. And not that the doer of the law justifies HIMSELF, but that, because they are seen as righteous, GOD justifies them. We are the receiver of the gift, certainly, but have an active role. Just realized how these two terms, justified and sanctified, fit into my "smelter" analogy perfectly. In the all-consuming fire of God's love, the justification is the transformation of the mere creation/human into the divine nature of Christ.. or in my analogy, from a dead tree branch into the finest gold. The sanctification is the process by which imperfections and impurities are burnt away, and we are left perfect and holy, and ready to stand in the presence of a perfect and holy God. Sanctification, then, cannot CAUSE justification. No matter how "good" you are, without Christ's life within you, you can peel away the bark on your dead tree branch all you want, and you won't find gold there. But those justified are those who DO the law. God chooses those who are willing and open to Him.
A lot to think about on a snowy Monday morning.
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