Overview

Effectually called and united to Christ (Q29–31), believers receive a chain of blessings. This section lists them: justification, adoption, sanctification, and the benefits that accompany or flow from them in this life. Q33–35 contain three of the most precious definitions in all the Standards.

The Questions & Answers

Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life? A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them.

Q33. What is justification? A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, 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. 3:24, 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)

Further proofs: Rom. 4:6–8; 5:17–19; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9.

Q34. 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.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12, ESV)

Further proofs: Rom. 8:15–17; Gal. 4:4–7; 1 John 3:1.

Q35. 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.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely…” (1 Thess. 5:23, ESV)

“…put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24, ESV)

Further proofs: 2 Thess. 2:13; Rom. 6:11; 8:1; Ezek. 36:27.

Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification? A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1–2, ESV)

Further proofs: Rom. 5:5; 14:17; Prov. 4:18; 1 Pet. 1:5; 1 John 5:13.

Exposition: Notice the careful wording. Justification is “an act” (Q33) — a once-for-all legal declaration; adoption is likewise “an act” (Q34) — a change of family status; but sanctification is “the work” (Q35) — an ongoing process. Justification deals with our guilt (pardoned, accepted as righteous by Christ’s imputed righteousness, received by faith alone); adoption with our status (received as God’s children with all their privileges); sanctification with our nature (renewed in the whole man, dying to sin, living to righteousness). Q36 then names the experiential fruits — assurance, peace, joy, growing grace, and perseverance.

Connections

• WLC Q70–78 — justification; faith; adoption; sanctification; and how justification and sanctification differ.
• WCF 11 (Justification), WCF 12 (Adoption), WCF 13 (Sanctification), WCF 18 (Assurance), WCF 17 (Perseverance).
• Loci: The application of redemption (ordo salutis); the distinction of justification (act) and sanctification (work).

Pastoral & Practical Significance

Q33–35 together protect the gospel and the Christian life. Hold them in order: you are justified — fully and finally pardoned and accepted, not by your works but by Christ’s righteousness received by faith alone — so your standing before God is settled and secure. You are adopted — not merely acquitted but embraced as a beloved child with every family privilege. And you are being sanctified — actually changed, “more and more,” though imperfectly in this life. The great pastoral error is to confuse these: to make your acceptance depend on your progress (collapsing justification into sanctification) breeds either pride or despair. Keep them distinct: rest your acceptance wholly on Christ (Q33), and from that secure place pursue holiness (Q35) as a grateful child (Q34). And Q36 promises the fruits — assurance, peace, joy — that grow in soil where these truths are rightly kept.

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q33, Q34, and Q35 — three of the most valuable definitions in the catechism; anchor verses: 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12; Ephesians 4:24.
• Justification is an act, sanctification a work. Why does confusing them breed pride or despair?
• Q36 lists assurance, peace, and joy as fruits. Am I cultivating the roots (Q33–35) from which they grow?