Is entire sanctification gradual or instantaneous?

This question addresses how the gift of entire sanctification is received, a matter Wesley was asked about constantly and answered with care. The catechism follows Article XI of the Confession of Faith: "Through faith in Jesus Christ this gracious gift may be received in this life both gradually and instantaneously, and should be sought earnestly by every child of God." The catechism's "either... or" restates the article's "both... and." The two are the same teaching: God gives this grace by both means, and the believer should expect both.

Through faith in Jesus Christ is the governing phrase. Entire sanctification is received the same way justification is received, by faith and as a gift. Peter says of the Gentile believers that God "made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9). Paul's prayer that God would "sanctify you completely" ends with the assurance that "Faithful is the one who calls you, who will also do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Wesley taught that whatever is received by faith may be received now, which is why he held that the work can be instantaneous. The believer who trusts God for a clean heart need not wait for some further qualification.

Gradually describes the ordinary experience of growth that surrounds and follows that gift. Scripture speaks of holiness as a path and a ripening: "The way of the righteous is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the day is established" (Proverbs 4:18). Believers are to "grow up in every way into him who is the head, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15), to "long for the pure spiritual milk" like newborn infants "so that by it you may grow up to salvation" (1 Peter 2:2), and to "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Wesley's own account joined the two: a gradual work of grace leads toward the moment in which love fills the heart, and a gradual work of grace continues after it.

For a Methodist the practical result is freedom from two anxieties. No one need despair because the change has come slowly, since growth in grace is the normal life of a Christian. And no one need assume that a clean heart is reserved for the end of a long life, since God gives by faith what he gives at all. The catechism's next question says that this gift should be sought by every child of God.