Every Day Reformed, Every Day Reforming
3: In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail;[274] yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome;[275] and so, the saints grow in grace,[276] perfecting holiness in the fear of God.[277]
2: This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man;[271] yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part;[272] whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.[273]
Q. 78. Whence ariseth the imperfection of sanctification in believers?
A. The imperfection of sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them, and the perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit; whereby they are often foiled with temptations, and fall into many sins,[339] are hindered in all their spiritual services,[340] and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God.[341]
Q. 75. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit[314] applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them,[315] renewed in their whole man after the image of God;[316] having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts,[317] and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened,[318] as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.[319]
Q. 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace,[97] whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God,[98] and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.[99]
1: They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection,[265] by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them:[266] the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,[267] and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified;[268] and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces,[269] to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.[270]
Q. 74. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of the free grace of God,[307] in and for his only Son Jesus Christ,[308] whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children,[309] have his name put upon them,[310] the Spirit of his Son given to them,[311] are under his fatherly care and dispensations,[312] admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory.[313]
Q. 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace,a whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.[96]
1: All those that are justified, God vouchsafes, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption,[251] by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God,[252] have His name put upon them,[253] receive the spirit of adoption,[254] have access to the throne of grace with boldness,[255] are enabled to cry, Abba, Father,[256] are pitied,[257] protected,[258] provided for,[259] and chastened by Him as by a Father:[260] yet never cast off,[261] but sealed to the day of redemption;[262] and inherit the promises,[263] as heirs of everlasting salvation.[264]
6: The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.[250]
5: God does continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified;[247] and although they can never fall from the sate of justification,[248] yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of His countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.[249]
4: God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect,[244] and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification:[245] nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit does, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.[246]
Q. 71. How is justification an act of God’s free grace?
A. Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in the behalf of them that are justified;[291] yet in as much as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demanded of them, and did provide this surety, his own only Son,[292] imputing his righteousness to them,[293] and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith,[294] which also is his gift,[295] their justification is to them of free grace.[296]
Daily Westminster 