Catholic Scripture

JUSTIFICATION & SANCTIFICATION

It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses;
your sins I remember no more.
Isaiah 43, 25

Isaiah 43:25 speaks of God’s grace and forgiveness.  The repetition of “I” emphasizes God’s personal role in the act of forgiveness. This indicates a strong, intentional action by God regarding humanity. The phrase “for my own sake” suggests that God’s decision to forgive is not contingent on human merit or worthiness but is rooted in His own nature and purpose. It highlights God’s sovereignty and the idea that His actions stem from His character.

The statement “your offenses; your sins I remember no more” reveals the depth of God’s forgiveness. He not only wipes out the sins but also chooses to forget them. This implies a complete cleansing and a fresh start, indicating a restored relationship without the burden of past wrongdoings.

Overall, this verse conveys a powerful message of hope and redemption, illustrating that despite human faults, God’s forgiveness is available and total. It encourages believers to understand that they can be released from guilt and shame and to embrace a renewed relationship with God.

The process of spiritual transformation is a deep and dynamic journey that involves God actively “blotting out” (exalipho) our transgressions, “washing” (apolouo) us from our iniquities, and “cleansing” (katharitzo) us from our sins. This divine intervention is not a mere act of mercy; it requires an authentic inner change of heart, accompanied by a contrite spirit, as emphasized in several scripture passages, including Psalm 51:1-2, where the psalmist pleads for cleansing and renewal, and Acts 3:19, which calls for repentance leading to the erasure of sins.

Similarly, Acts 22:16 urges believers to be baptized for the washing away of their sins, while 1 Corinthians 6:11 reassures the faithful that they have been sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus. In 1 John 1:7 and 9, the promise of purification is reiterated, indicating that confession leads to forgiveness and cleansing by the blood of Christ.

When God regards us as holy and just, it is not simply an exercise in overlooking our failings; rather, it is a transformative act whereby He removes the stains of sin from our souls. This change transpires in response to a genuine change of heart that unfolds through the dual processes of conversion and repentance. The role of the Holy Spirit is vital in this transformation, as He facilitates the gifts of grace that empower believers to pursue righteousness.

It’s crucial to understand that our sins are not merely brushed aside or covered over by Christ’s merits. Instead, His righteousness is actively “communicated to us” through the infused grace that fundamentally alters our nature, thereby making us just and pleasing to God. While human beings can never fully attain the divine righteousness exemplified by Christ, the righteousness that God attributes to us is qualitatively similar, echoing His perfect holiness and justice. St. Paul underscores this divine expectation in Philippians 2:5, where he advises, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had,” thus highlighting the imperative for believers to embody Christ-like virtues in their daily lives. This call to reflect the character of Christ emphasizes the ongoing nature of spiritual transformation, urging us to pursue a deeper relationship with God and a commitment to living out His teachings in a world desperately in need of His light.

While the initial grace of forgiveness and justification is a unique gift that only Christ can merit on our behalf, individuals possess the ability to “merit for themselves and for others an increase in sanctification.” This notion underscores the collaborative aspect of faith, where, through our actions and prayers, we can contribute to our spiritual growth and that of others. Such an increase in sanctification is vital for completing the journey of justification and deepening one’s personal relationship with God, as believers strive to “grow in grace and charity,” as indicated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s teachings on Justification and Grace.

Additionally, the infusion of God’s grace into our souls is transformative. It signifies that believers are not only declared righteous in the eyes of God but are actively “made” (kathistemi) righteous. This divine grace brings about a profound and genuine change of heart and an ontological transformation in our very nature and being. This change is eloquently supported by scriptural references, such as Romans 5:17 and 19, which highlight how grace empowers individuals to overcome sin and embody a new life in accordance with God’s will. This process signifies a dynamic synergy between divine grace and human response, leading to genuine spiritual renewal and the embodiment of Christ-like virtues.

“Thus, it is necessary for a man that he should be not only justified when unrighteous by the grace of God, that is be changed from unholiness to righteousness, when he is requited with good for his evil; but that even after he has been justified by his faith, grace should accompany him on his way lest he fall. On this account it is written concerning the Church herself in Canticles: ‘Who is this who commeth up in white raiment, leaning upon her kinsman?’ Made white is she who alone could not be made white. And by whom has she been made white except by Him who says by the prophet, ‘Though your sins be as purple as scarlet, I will make them white as snow.’ At the time, then, that she was made white, she deserved nothing good; but now that she is made white, she walketh well; but it is only by her continuing ever to lean upon Him by whom she was made white. Wherefore, Jesus Himself, on whom she leans that was made white, said to His disciples, ‘Without me ye can do nothing.’”
St. Augustine (A.D. 427)
On Grace and Free Will, 6:13

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