Sanctifying grace

Definition

Sanctifying grace is a divine gift that enables individuals to participate in the life of God, transforming their souls and making them holy. This grace is essential for salvation, as it allows people to grow in virtue and develop a closer relationship with God through faith. It is different from actual grace, which refers to specific help from God for particular actions, whereas sanctifying grace dwells within the soul permanently once received.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sanctifying grace is received primarily through the sacraments, especially Baptism, which initiates a person into a life of grace.
2. This type of grace is believed to remain in a person's soul as long as they are in a state of grace, meaning they are free from mortal sin.
3. Sanctifying grace empowers individuals to perform good works and develop virtues, facilitating spiritual growth.
4. The Catholic Church teaches that sanctifying grace is necessary for salvation and cannot be earned; it is freely given by God.
5. The presence of sanctifying grace in the soul also signifies one's membership in the Church and communion with Christ.

Review Questions

• How does sanctifying grace differ from actual grace, and what role does it play in a believer's spiritual life?
  • Sanctifying grace differs from actual grace in that it remains in the soul permanently once received, whereas actual grace refers to specific moments of divine assistance for particular actions. Sanctifying grace plays a crucial role in a believer's spiritual life by transforming their soul, enabling them to grow in holiness and develop a deeper relationship with God. This ongoing presence of sanctifying grace helps individuals to live virtuous lives and persevere in their faith.
• Discuss the significance of sacraments in relation to sanctifying grace and how they facilitate an individual's journey toward holiness.
  • Sacraments are vital to receiving sanctifying grace as they are considered outward signs instituted by Christ that confer inward spiritual effects. For example, Baptism bestows sanctifying grace upon the recipient, initiating them into a life of faith and holiness. Each sacrament provides unique graces that support the believer's journey toward holiness, helping them to grow in virtue and remain connected to God throughout their spiritual lives.
• Evaluate the implications of sanctifying grace on the concept of salvation within Christian theology and its relation to original sin.
  • Sanctifying grace has profound implications for the concept of salvation in Christian theology, as it is seen as essential for overcoming original sin and restoring one's relationship with God. The belief is that through sanctifying grace, individuals are justified and made righteous in God's eyes, allowing them to attain eternal life. This emphasizes that salvation is not merely about avoiding sin but involves an active participation in God's life through His grace, highlighting the transformative power of divine love at work within believers.

Related terms

justification: The process by which a person is made righteous in the sight of God, typically associated with the reception of sanctifying grace.

sacramental grace: The specific grace given through the sacraments, which often includes sanctifying grace as part of the transformative experience.

original sin: The fallen state of human nature inherited from Adam and Eve, which sanctifying grace helps to overcome by restoring one's relationship with God.