God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit does, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.
Although the justification and salvation of God's elect is certain from eternity past--for when God decreed their election their salvation was secured--the saving benefits of Christ's work must be applied to them in time. Before they are regenerated, receive the gifts of repentance and faith, are converted and justified, they are as yet unsaved. The accomplished redemption must be applied by the Spirit. So it simply does no good to charge that it matters not that God's elect actually come to faith in Christ, that they will be saved regardless. This is a straw man and an unjust argument against Reformed teaching.
Tomorrow: The problem of sins committed after justification.
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