Chapter XI. Of Justification
I. Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies [a]; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them [b], they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God [c].[a] Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
[b] Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Ver.6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Ver.7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Ver.8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ver.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. Ver.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Ver.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Ver.27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Ver.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Ver.7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Ver.31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Ver.18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Ver.19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
[c] Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: Ver.39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ver.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification [d]: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love [e].
[d] John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[e] James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Ver.22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Ver.26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
End of Lesson, Day 44
For Further Study:
Francis R. Beattie's The Presbyterian Standards
The Benefits of Redemption: Justification
James Fisher's Catechism on the Catechism
John Flavel's Exposition of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism
Matthew Henry's A Scripture Catechism in the Method of the Assembly's
Thomas Vincent's The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture
Thomas Watson's Body of Divinity
John Whitecross' The Shorter Catechism Illustrated
Gordon Clark, Commentary on the Westminster Confession, chapter 11
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