# “Gracious soil” by Jay Harvey

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2011/02/05/gracious-soil-by-jay-harvey/
- Published: 2011-02-05T16:19:09-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“We do not grow in sanctification_ in order to be_ justified. We grow in sanctification
_because we are_ justified. The declarative act of justification is gracious soil
out of which grace-filled lives will grow.

The process of sanctification would be damning drudgery if justification were a 
process. Rather than joyfully pursuing holiness in view of God’s mercies (Rom. 12:
1–2), we would constantly be afraid of failure and judgment.

By the free grace afforded us in justification, we can joyfully pursue holiness 
without fear of failure or rejection by God.

The guarantee that we are perfectly righteous, accepted, and loved by our Father
in heaven is one of our greatest encouragements in the process of sanctification.

We are free to love God with all our heart because we know that His love for us 
is completely secure.”

–Jay Harvey, “Justification: The Lord Our Righteousness,” in _[Don’t Call It a Comeback: The Old Faith For a New Day](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433521695?tag=toletaupanre-20)_,
Ed. Kevin DeYoung (Wheaton: Crossway, 2011), 97.

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