Justification

Wesley agreed with the Protestant Reformers that justification is making our relationship with God right through Jesus Christ. But Wesley understood justification in a particular way: God’s mercy and grace, shown in the suffering and death of Jesus on our behalf, pardons our sins and restores our capacity for love of God and neighbor. This occurs in the exercise of faith that is a gift from God to actively trust in Jesus and receive God’s pardon and acceptance. It results in a renewal of the image of God in us that had been damaged by sin, so that we might begin lifelong growth in Christ-likeness as the Holy Spirit enables us to love God and neighbor. What God has done for us (justification) and what God does in us (sanctification) are together a part of God’s work of restoring the whole of creation back into right relationship to God. -Wesley Study Bible pg 1373