Overview

This is the catechism’s great soteriology section, tracing the application of redemption from union with Christ through to glory. It covers union and effectual calling (Q66–68), the benefits in this life — justification, adoption, sanctification (Q69–78), perseverance and assurance (Q79–81), and the benefits at death (Q82–86) and at the resurrection and judgment (Q87–90). Because it spans twenty-five questions, the key definitions are quoted; the rest are summarized.

The Questions & Answers

Q66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ? A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3; cf. John 15:5, ESV)

Q67. What is effectual calling? A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44, ESV)

“And I will give you a new heart… I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezek. 36:26–27, ESV)

Q70. What is justification? A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 3:22, 24–25, ESV)

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21, ESV)

Q72. What is justifying faith? A. Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and word of God, whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law.” (Gal. 2:16; cf. Phil. 3:9, ESV)

Q74. What is adoption? A. Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, 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.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’… and if children, then heirs.” (Rom. 8:15–17, ESV)

Q75. 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 applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” (2 Thess. 2:13, ESV; cf. Eph. 4:24)

Q77. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ? A. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, yet they differ, in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ; in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof; in the former, sin is pardoned; in the other, it is subdued: the one doth equally free all believers from the avenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation; the other is neither equal in all, nor in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1; cf. 1 Cor. 6:11, ESV)

Q86. What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death? A. The communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death, is, in that their souls are then made perfect in holiness, and received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” (Phil. 1:23; cf. Heb. 12:23, ESV)

Exposition: This section is the Larger Catechism’s golden chain (Rom. 8:30). Everything begins with union with Christ (Q66) — being “joined to Christ as their head and husband” — from which all benefits flow. Effectual calling (Q67) is God’s almighty, gracious drawing of the dead-in-sin elect, “from nothing in them,” renewing the will so they “freely” embrace Christ. Justification (Q70) pardons and accounts righteous “only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed… and received by faith alone.” Adoption (Q74) receives the justified into God’s family. Sanctification (Q75) renews the whole person. Q77’s careful distinction between justification and sanctification is one of the most important in all the Standards — justification imputes righteousness (sin pardoned, perfect and equal in all believers), sanctification infuses grace (sin subdued, imperfect and unequal, growing toward perfection). The section ends in glory: at death the soul is “made perfect in holiness” and beholds God’s face (Q86); at the resurrection and judgment the saints are openly acquitted and made perfectly blessed forever (Q90).

Connections

• WSC Q30–38 — effectual calling and the whole chain of benefits in this life, at death, and at the resurrection.
• WCF 10–18, 32–33 — effectual calling, justification, adoption, sanctification, saving faith, repentance, good works, perseverance, assurance, and the last things.
• Loci: the ordo salutis (order of salvation); union with Christ; the distinction of justification (act, imputed) and sanctification (work, infused).

Pastoral & Practical Significance

This section is a map of your whole salvation, and its pastoral treasure is Q77 — the difference between justification and sanctification. Keep them distinct, and your soul finds rest. Justification “doth equally free all believers from the avenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life” — so your standing before God is complete, equal to every other believer’s, and unchangeable, resting entirely on Christ’s imputed righteousness. Sanctification “is neither equal in all, nor in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection” — so your progress in holiness will be uneven and incomplete, and that is to be expected. The great error is to confuse them: to let your assurance rise and fall with your sanctification (your inconsistent growth) rather than rest on your justification (Christ’s finished work). When you sin, you do not become less justified — “no condemnation” remains — but you do grieve the Father whose Spirit is sanctifying you, so you return, confess, and press on. Rest your acceptance wholly on Christ (justification), and from that secure place pursue holiness (sanctification) as a beloved, adopted child, until at death your soul is “made perfect in holiness” and you behold God’s face. Every link in this chain holds, because God forged it.

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q70, Q72, Q74, and Q75 — the great definitions; and especially Q77 (how justification and sanctification differ). Anchor verses: 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Romans 8:1.
• Justification is perfect and equal in all; sanctification is imperfect and unequal. Why does confusing them rob me of assurance?
• Union with Christ (Q66) is the root of every benefit. How does belonging to Christ as “head and husband” reframe my whole salvation?