Fourfold Justification
Romans 3:24
The Lord Jesus Christ took upon himself our
nature. As a man, the Son of God rendered unto God the perfection and
righteousness which he required of us. He made an infinite satisfaction for sin,
by pouring out his life’s blood unto death at Calvary. He did these things as
the Representative and Substitute of God’s elect; and all that he did for us we
did in him. Every true believer has both
rendered perfect righteousness to God and made an infinite satisfaction for his
sin in the Person of our all glorious Christ. As the result of Christ’s
finished work as our Representative, it is a perfectly just thing for God to
justify all who believe on him. In saving our souls and bringing us to heaven,
the Lord God deals with us in exact accordance with justice. He gives us that
which, in Christ, we deserve. Here are four things which are plainly revealed
in the Word of God about our justification in Christ. God’s elect are justified by…
THE
DECREE OF GOD THE FATHER IN ETERNITY - In the mind of God, all his elect were justified from eternity. Our
justification was actually accomplished by God’s sovereign purpose of grace in
eternal predestination before the worlds were made. This is not a matter of
speculation or hair-splitting theological precision; but a matter of
unmistakable revelation. Read it for yourself in the Book of God (Rom. 8:30).
Our justification did not commence in time, but in eternity. Paul, speaking of
God’s eternal decree of predestination, declares that all of God’s elect were
justified in his eternal purpose of grace.
THE
DEATH OF GOD THE SON AT CALVARY - Though Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, he
was also slain in time for the redemption of our souls. And though God’s elect
were justified by his sovereign decree in eternal predestination, we were also
justified by the precious shed blood of God’s dear Son at Calvary. The Bible
does not teach that justification was provided, or made possible by the death
of Christ. The Bible declares that justification was accomplished at Calvary.
If it was merely provided or made possible for us, but is not accomplished
until we believe, then our faith would be as much the cause of justification as
the purpose of God and the sacrifice of Christ. But that is not the case. The
Holy Spirit tells us plainly that when Christ died, those for whom he died were
justified (Rom. 3:24-26).
THE
DECLARATION OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONVERSION - When God the Holy Spirit regenerates the
sinner, giving him faith in Christ, as that sinner looks to Christ alone as his
Savior, the blessed Spirit sprinkles the blood of Christ upon the conscience
and speaks like a bailiff reading the verdict in court - “JUSTIFIED!” Thus every believing sinner receives justification by
faith in Christ(Rom.4:25-5:1). Faith does not cause God to justify us. The
obedience of Christ has done that. But faith, resting upon Christ alone as
Savior, obtains peace with God, even the peace of perfect, complete
justification.
THE
DISPLAY OF GOOD WORKS BEFORE MEN - Yes, there is a sense in which we are justified by works, not before
God, but before men. We justify our profession of faith in Christ by our works.
Believers do not show their faith by creeds, confessions, and catechisms, but
by their conduct (James 2:14-26).
Don Fortner