WCF 11.5

11.5. Of Justification

God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified: and although they can never fall from the state of justification; 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.

Proof texts

• Matt. 6:12 — [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
• 1 John 1:7, 9 — [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• 1 John 2:1, 2 — [1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. [2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
• Luke 22:32 — [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
• John 10:28 — [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
• Heb. 10:14 — [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
• Ps. 89:31, 32, 33 — [31] if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, [32] then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, [33] but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.
• Ps. 51:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 — [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. [9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
• Ps. 32:5 — [5] I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. <i>Selah</i>
• Matt. 26:75 — [75] And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
• 1 Cor. 11:30, 32 — [30] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. [32] But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
• Luke 1:20 — [20] And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Matt. 6:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 12 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q70 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q33 · WLC Q70 · WLC Q71 · WLC Q72 · WLC Q73 · HC Q59 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · 1689 11.1 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3 · SD 11.1