Romans Chapters 1 - 7

I have started a study of Romans, via John Piper's website (this is a great website, check it out). Today I learned the difference between justification and sanctification, according to Romans, chapters 1 - 7. To justify is to pronnouce free from guilt or blame. To become sanctified is to become holy.

In Romans it discusses that Christains are justified from their sin as soon as they believe in Jesus Christ. This justification is an instantaneous, free gift from God. There is nothing we do (besides believing in Jesus Christ) to receive this free gift. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that comes by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24, NIV

Sanctification on the other hand is a process of transforming ourselves from the sin centered person we were to the Christ centered person we are working to become. Sanctification is something that we work at each day (by building a relationship with God) and it is a transformation that we will continue to work on for our whole lives.