Intermingling justification and works, even in passing, tends to cause all sorts of unrest. The doctrine is important, but must be dealt with with sharp distinctions.

A man who is converted on a Wednesday and dies on a Thursday is no less saved than the man who is converted and lives 40 years longer. Although the man who has lived 40 years longer under the gospel and will have many more evident works, is deeper in God’s sanctifying work, his justification is the same as the man who dies after only one day.