Is entire sanctification gradual or instantaneous?

Entire sanctification is received by faith, and it may come to a believer gradually or in a moment. Article XI of the Confession of Faith teaches this: "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" and the article's "both... and" teach the same thing. God gives this grace in each of these ways, and a believer should expect it in each of them. Wesley was asked about this constantly and answered it with care.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the way in. Entire sanctification is received the way justification is received, by faith and as a gift. Peter said of the Gentile believers that God "made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9). Paul prayed that God would "sanctify you completely" and then assured the Thessalonians 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, and for that reason he held that the work can be instantaneous. A believer who trusts God for a clean heart need not wait for some further qualification.

The gift is also gradual, because growth in holiness surrounds it and follows it. 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 taught the two together: 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 this teaching removes 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. Every child of God should seek this gift, and the next question says so.