Belgic Confession, Article 24: The Sanctification of Sinners
This excerpt from Article 24 of the Belgic Confession presents a classical Reformed exposition on how justifying faith produces sanctification and good works in the believer's life. The article emphasizes that while good works flow necessarily from true faith and are pleasing to God, they do not contribute to justification—which is by faith in Christ alone—nor do they merit salvation, since all human works remain defiled by sin. This confession provides foundational teaching on the relationship between faith, grace, and the Christian's obligation to holy living.
Article 24: The Sanctification of Sinners We believe that this true faith,produced in us by the hearing of God’s Word and by the work of the Holy Spirit,regenerates us and makes us new creatures,58causing us to live a new life59 and freeing us from the slavery of sin.Therefore, far from making people cold toward living in a pious and holy way, this justifying faith, quite to the contrary, so works within them thatapart from itthey will never do a thing out of love for God but only out of love...