Westminster Larger Catechism – Lord’s Day 21
Q & A 75
Q What is sanctification?
A Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God has, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit1 applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them,2 renewed in their whole man after the image of God;3 having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts,4 and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened,5 as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.6
Q & A 76
Q What is repentance unto life?
A Repentance unto life is a saving grace,7 wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit8 and Word of God,9 whereby, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger,10 but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins,11 and upon the apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent,12 he so grieves for13 and hates his sins,14 as that he turns from them all to God,15 purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience.16
Q & A 77
Q Wherein do justification and sanctification differ?
A Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification,17 yet they differ, in that God in justification imputes the righteousness of Christ;18 in sanctification of his Spirit infuses grace, and enables to the exercise thereof;19 in the former, sin is pardoned;20 in the other, it is subdued:21 the one does equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation22 the other is neither equal in all,23 nor in this life perfect in any,24 but growing up to perfection.*25
Q & A 78
Q Whence arises the imperfection of sanctification in believers?
A The imperfection of sanctification in believers arises 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,26 are hindered in all their spiritual services,27 and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God.*28
*1 Ephesians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
*2 Romans 6:4-6.
*3 Ephesians 4:23-24.
*4 Acts 11:18; 1 John 3:9.
*5 Jude 20; Hebrews 6:11-12; Ephesians 3:16-19; Colossians 1:10-11.
*6 Romans 6:4, 6, 14; Galatians 5:24.
*7 2 Timothy 2:25.
*8 Zechariah 12:10.
*9 Acts 11:18, 20-21.
*10 Ezekiel 18:28, 30, 32; Luke 15:17-18; Hosea 2:6-7.
*11 Ezekiel 36:31; Isaiah 30:22.
*12 Joel 2:12-13.
*13 Jeremiah 31:18-19.
*14 2 Corinthians 7:11.
*15 Acts 26:18; Ezekiel 14:6; 1 Kings 8:47-48.
*16 Psalm 119:6, 59, 128; Luke 1:6; 2 Kings 23:25.
*17 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 1:30.
*18 Romans 4:6, 8.
*19 Ezekiel 36:27.
*20 Romans 3:24-25.
*21 Romans 6:6, 14.
*22 Romans 8:33-34.
*23 1 John 2:12-14; Hebrews 5:12-14.
*24 1 John 1:8, 10.
*25 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philippians 3:12-14.
*26 Romans 7:18, 23; Mark 14:66; Galatians 2:11-12.
*27 Hebrews 12:1.
*28 Isaiah 64:6; Exodus 28:38.
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