Thread by @potamopotos

A thread on the monstrous division of justification into a so called initial and continuous justification

Is Justification to Be Attributed to Faith Only at the Beginning of Conversion in Such a Way, that After the First Conversion We are Justified No Longer by Faith Alone

The manner of justification is one and the same in the beginning, middle, and end, namely that we are justified by faith alone, by the pure grace of God, solely for the sake of Christ. For Paul, Ro 4, citing a universal example of justification, does not cite Abraham when he was

first converted, Gn 12, but Gn 15, when he had already rendered to God obedience in faith in various exercises for a number of years after his first call, Heb 11:8 ff. Midstream in good works, as it were, Paul puts the question: What is Abraham’s justification or in what does

Abraham’s justification before God consist, when he no longer only believes God but is also eminent in many good works, not only now reconciled, but also sanctified and renewed? Now, Paul answers plainly and clearly that Abraham

is justified freely, by faith alone and without works, also in midcourse of good works (that is, he is pronounced righteous before God and received to life eternal), and that his righteousness and blessedness also then does not consist in renewal, but only in free reconciliation

or remission of sins. Ro 4:3; 5, 7. And Ro 5:2 Paul beautifully connects the beginning, middle, and end of justification and ascribes [it] alone to faith. For he says: By faith in Christ (1) we have access to the grace of God, (2) we stand in that grace, (3) we glory in hope of

the glory of God; that is, when we meet Christ in the resurrection of the dead, we do not want to be found having our own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is by faith in Christ Jesus, Ph 3:8–9, 11.
Paul therefore does not admit renewal

sanctification, and good works of the reborn to the beginning, middle, or end of the process and act of justification; he does not mix it in with it but wants the grace of God alone, the merit of Christ alone, to rule there by faith alone.

Martin Chemnitz, Enchiridion, q 168