Once for All, Again and Again, and More and More: Part 4, The Movement of Justification and Sanctification

Out at the prison, as I've described the relationship between justification and sanctification using the "once for all," "again and again," and "more and more" framework, I use an image of concentric circles. This image is my own twist on Hunsinger's article after I encountered his discussion of "once for all," "again and again," and "more and more."

I ask the men to imagine Jesus' "once for all" sacrifice as a circle at the center. Jesus is the center, the focal point. The origin. The harbor. The center of gravity. 

Around the "once for all" circle is the "again and again" circle. This is the circle of mercy and grace. This is the circle of justification.

Lastly, the third circle around the other two is the "more and more" circle. Visually, it looks like this:

The arrows represent outward and inward movements.

The outward movement represents our experience of Christ developmentally. Having encountered the gift of Christ's "once for all" sacrifice we are saved and justified. We are welcomed into the circle of grace, where Christ's mercy washes us clean "again and again." 1 John 1.7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

But justification isn't where the journey ends. Christ wants us to share "more and more" in his abundant life. So, after receiving grace we don't remain static but push outward into the "more and more" journey of sanctification. All this is represented in the outward facing arrows, the journey from justification into sanctification made possible by Christ.

However, as we journey into sanctification we continue to struggle with sin. We experience failure. We disappoint. Shame returns. 

When this happens, and it will, all we can do is look toward Christ. This turn is symbolized by the inner directing arrows. In the failures I experience in my "more and more" journey of sanctification I have to keep returning to grace, receiving it over and over, "again and again." 

These outward and inward movements, I share with the men out at the prison, is the rhythm of the spiritual life. There is more to grace than being forgiven. We must push on. We must grow in maturity and holiness to enjoy the abundant life prepared for us. 

And yet, in this journey we will experience failure and setbacks. When we do, we fall back upon grace, a grace that we will receive "again and again" in our lives. A grace made available by the "once for all" sacrifice of Christ. Which is, ultimately, our only hope. Seen this way, justification supports sanctification. Grace sets a hard floor, a safety net if you will. Security. Our failure will not cause us to fall into a pit. The mercy of God is there to catch us. Again and again.