Justification By Faith

by J. BENNISON | Category: For Young Believers | Apr 1951

These and similar articles are not exhaustive expositions of the doctrine of the Lord, but rather an effort to simplify great truths to help those who have recently decided for Christ.

In a previous article we said a little regarding the difference between the New Birth and Conversion; that initial work which changes our relationship toward God the moment we accept by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.

"How can a man be just with God? "(Job 9.2), is the question which is asked no fewer than four times in the book of Job. That question has exercised the minds of thoughtful men from earliest times. The Scriptures alone supply the answer.

Justification by faith is the declaration by God whereby the believing sinner is reckoned righteous or just. As a result of Adam's sin three serious things happened (1) Adam was found guilty. (2) he was condemned; (3) he was banished from God's presence' In consequence his relationship with God was forfeited through that one act of disobedience, and that applies to all men by nature Justification is connected with the restoring of a true relationship with God. It includes (1) the removal of guilt; (2) the removal of judgement; (3) restoration to fellowship with God. How then is this brought about? The first great change is that which marks our freedom from condemnation. When we take our place before God as guilty sinners seeking shelter beneath the efficacy of the precious Blood, we are pronounced to be righteous.

The question might well be asked: How can this be possible in the face of overwhelming guilt? For guilty we were. The marvel is that when we accept the provision which is offered in Christ divine justice is upheld without any compromise on God's part because the sinless Son of God "bare our sins in His own body upon' the tree " (1 Peter 2.24). "Him who knew no sin, He (God) made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5.21). The word of God says emphatically: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8.1). It matters not who the accuser may be, the Holy Spirit follows this up with an unanswerable question: "It is God that justifieth, who is he that shall condemn?" (Romans 8.33.

Who shall recall His pardon or His grace?

Or who the broken chain of guilt replace?

'Tis God that justifies

With the utmost confidence therefore we affirm the glorious truth, "Being justified by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5.1).

The ground upon which we stand before God and upon which alone He reckons us righteous is that of the death and resurrection of Christ : Paul views the matter of justification from three points of view-(1) Being now justified by (in) His blood (Romans 5.9). The means whereby we enter into relationship is faith: (2) Being justified by faith (Romans 5.1). The source from whence this new relationship springs is the grace of God : (3) Being justified freely by His grace (Romans 3.25).

It is clear that justification is much more than pardon, and the two should never be confused. A guilty person may be pardoned, but he cannot be justified, the reason being that he is guilty--the guilt remains though he has escaped punishment. The glorious truth of justification is this, that the guilty one is cleared as though he had never sinned. Forgiveness and justification are distinguished in Acts 13. 38, 39. We are justified once for all.

I humbly confess that I cannot fathom the depth of this profound truth, that God can Himself be just, and the Justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus" (Romans 3. 26). But, Where reason fails with all her powers, There faith prevails and love adores." The cross is the explanation. It passes all understanding what the Son of God suffered in body and soul during those three hours of darkness when Isaiah's words were fulfilled-" Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin" (Isaiah 58.12)-" and about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me" (Matthew 27.46). Can we say what this forsaking means? We may give an answer, but do we understand? I stand like a little child on the verge of the mighty ocean of divine love manifested in Christ crucified, watching the waves and billows roll o'er His sinless, spotless soul. Here I wonder and worship as I think of the love of Christ. "What then shall we say to these things?It is God that justifieth; who is he that shall condemn?" (Romans 8.31, 33, 34).

J. BENNISON | Apr 1951
For Young Believers