“Sanctification is the only sure mark of God’s election. The names and number of the elect are a secret thing, no doubt, which God has wisely kept in His own power, and not revealed to man. It is not given to us in this world to study the pages of the book of life, and if our names are there. But if there is one thing clearly and plainly laid down about election, it is this – that elect men and women may be known and distinguished by holy lives.”
~ J.C. Ryle
Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J.C. Ryle,
“Sanctification”, 122.
This is true if it is understood via justification by faith alone. The quote taken out of context implies that sanctification is what justifies us before God. Rather sanctification gives testimony to others that we have been changed by God’s sanctifying Spirit. But it should also be included that true salvation is also “right doctrine.” In other words, one must believe that Christ alone was righteous and lived a sinless life. His sinless life is the basis for our righteousness, which is then imputed to us. It is a vicarious righteousness imputed to us on the basis of faith. And it should be understood that Christ took the penalty for us on the cross when we as sinners should have been eternally separated from God.
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