Q. 33. What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Q. 34. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.

Q. 35. What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Q. 36.  What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

A. The benefits which in life to accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

We return this week to our analogy of the benefits package as we continue to meditate on the Westminster Shorter Catechism explanation of the multifaceted nature of the redemption which Christ accomplished for us and which the Spirit applies to us. As a benefits package consists of several elements, so does our redemption.  Some of the benefits are for a later time. For example, in a job benefits package, life insurance and retirement are for a future time. But there are other benefits, such as health insurance, sick days, vacation, which are given for present use.

WSC Questions 33-36 consider the benefits of redemption that we experience in this life. Our salvation is not relegated to the future. It has past and present aspects to it as well. That is why the Bible states that we have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved. This should be a comfort to us. The work God has begun in us in redeeming us, He will bring to completion.

Two general truths need to be noted. One is the catechism’s distinction between an act and a work.  Justification and adoption are acts; sanctification is a work. An act is a one-time, completed event while a work refers to that which is on-going. We have been justified and adopted and are thus secure because they are finished acts. We are being sanctified, which keeps us from any notion of achieving perfection in this life.

The other truth to note is that these benefits all flow from God’s free grace. Thus, that language is included in all three answers regarding justification, adoption, and sanctification. We neither deserve nor merit any of these benefits. They are pure grace. We are but recipients of what God has freely given us.

Each of the benefits dealt with in these questions is worthy of extended consideration and meditation, more than can be given here. However, let them wash over you as I list them here and sense the goodness and mercy of God in these gifts He has given through His Son:

Your sins are forgiven, every last one of them. None can revoke this pardon and there can be no double jeopardy by which they are laid to your account again. They were all dealt with at the cross.

You are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. His perfect obedience is credited to your account. You are not merely brought to some morally neutral status but are accepted by God completely because of Christ’s righteousness imputed to you.

- You are part of God’s family, no longer an orphan but a child of God with access to all the privileges of a child, including access to your Heavenly Father

- You are being sanctified and transformed, not left as you were but evermore turning away from sin and turning to Christ. This will be a life-long work but one which the Spirit who indwells you is working at in you as well.

- You have assurance that God loves you and a confidence that nothing can separate you from that love

- Your conscience is now at peace, no longer accusing you of your wrong-doing because your sin has been dealt with and you are at peace with God. There is now no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

- You experience a joy like no other because it is wrought in you by the Holy Spirit

- You grow in grace, realizing that grace was not simply part of your conversion but grace undergirds all of your life. It is grace that has brought you safe thus far and it is grace that will lead you home.

- You will make it to the end. He who began a good work in you will see to it (Philippians 1:6)

Saints, praise God from whom all blessings flow! What marvelous grace He has showered upon us. These are the realities that should stir our hearts to worship. These truths that we should feed upon. These gifts that we should remember when the accuser comes, seeking to devour us. Let us again fix our eyes on Jesus and His work that we might be encouraged and strengthened for the days ahead, whatever they might bring.