Justification to Sanctification for Glorification: Analysis of Matthew 25:1-13 with Implications on African Church Lifestyle

Abstract

The judgment setting of Matthew 24:1-13, being a small unit of the larger unit of Matthew 24:1- 25:46 story and the parable, is unique in nature. The glaring lacuna necessitating this work is the easily accepted, perhaps crippling assertion of once-saved-always-saved Christian mentality. This constitutesa barrier in the harmony of justification, sanctification and glorification as connected to salvation. The purpose of the study is to establish the continual working plan of justification, sanctification and glorification as essential to Christian lifestyle always being a prerequisite for salvation in Christ. The research adopted the “theological interpretive method of analogia scriptura” (analogy of the scripture) and employed the historical-grammatical method to establish a harmonious relationship with other parables within the confinement of prophetic timeline. Jesus presented volumes of truth with absolute certainty, being the bridegroom in Matthew 25:1-13 parable, where He clearly describes His return. The uniqueness of Matthew 24:1-13, by findings, shows that all the ten virgins possessed all it takes for justification (qualification) to glorification from inception to a considerable time, even at the saving circle (wedding hall). It suffices to hold that the delay time by the bridegroom perhaps is the sanctification period. This indeed depicts the waiting time which, practically, is the most important moment of the occasion. Hence, the end of the time, which became the final assessing test, was where virtually all of them fell asleep. However, God’s grace period revived the five wise virgins to salvation,while the five unwise misused God’s grace to damnation.