Piepkorn Gem

It is logically possible to think of the church as it is in an infinitesimally small moment of time. Theologically and actually it is not possible to do so. For in the church we live, we are part of a process, we are being justified before God by God; there is a constant forgiveness of sins that we - who are simultaneously sinners and holy people - are constantly committing, and we who are being constantly *declared* holy by God's grace for Christ's sake are constantly *becoming* holier by God's grace for Christ's sake through faith. - The Church, p. 25