Justification is the one time process of being “justified” or saved unto eternal life, which happens during our lifetime here on earth by our own free will choice. After we get to heaven God will free us from the presence of sin, which we call “glorification”. Justification and glorification are both actions taken by God for which we have no part.
Philippians 2:13 – For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Sanctification is the lifetime process of becoming more spiritually mature and emulating Christ over time. This is the period from our salvation to our death. While sanctification is still a process accomplished by God, this time we are required to participate.
Romans 8:29 – From all eternity God’s plan was for us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.
We become sanctified through relying on the Holy Spirit and exercising spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, Bible study, memorization of Scripture, giving and serving. We will never be able to quit sinning this side of heaven but we can sin less. As we humbly walk through this life with our God our goal is to sin as little as possible and when we do sin to immediately ask God to forgive us, which Scripture says He will do.
John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Our spiritual growth is empowered by the Holy Spirit but we must “show up” for God. We present ourselves before the Lord when we exercise spiritual discipline. We must initiate the sanctification process by giving God something to work with. If you do nothing to gain knowledge, understanding and wisdom you disobey God and you will remain on spiritual milk and not much use to God down here on earth. Disobedience equals lack of reward in heaven. The choice is yours.