Justification is based on Christ alone, and the conceptual difference between justification and sanctification helps us to keep this straight. A theological pause between justification and sanctification is a safeguard against any tendency to believe that God will justify us only if we perform well. This pause does important theological work, but no truthful reading of Scripture or honest assessment of the Christian life will allow us to stop there. Salvation does not end with a magic moment, and grace should never be used as a warrant for sin. We can never use the righteousness of Christ as
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