Stop trying to justify yourself!
CHAPTER 11: Of Justification
(Parts One through Three)
In the “golden chain” of salvation, found in Romans 8:29-30, we are instructed “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” God knew a group of people from all eternity past, even before they existed. He knew these people, not merely what decisions they would make regarding Christ.
God predestined all of these people, not merely to believe, but to be conformed into the image of Christ. These people are the people God effectually calls. All of the effectually called are justified. All of the justified are glorified. This golden chain starts in eternity past and ends in eternity yet future.
Note that all of God’s actions in the passage are written in the past tense, as though they have already happened, even though “in time” they have not all yet happened. This testifies to the fact that when God says a thing will happen, it is as sure as if it already has happened.
The topic of this 11th chapter of the Confession is justification. What does it mean to be justified? Next time…
(Part Two)
What does it mean to be justified? Justification is judicial, or forensic action on God’s part to declare His people righteous even though we are not righteous, and will not be righteous until we are glorified in Heaven.
What is the basis of this justification? God justifies “freely,” (Romans 3:24) meaning that there is no reason in us for this gracious act. The reason resides only in God. Justification is not based on our performance or good works, but solely on the performance and finished work of Christ on our behalf.
What has Jesus done to justify those He came to save?
(1) He lived a sinless life (active obedience).
(2) He died a sinner’s death on the cross that He did not deserve (passive obedience).
(3) And He physically rose from the dead on the third day, conquering sin, death, Hell, and the devil.
We are justified not because of anything we have done, are doing, or will do, but “for Christ’s sake alone.”
(Part Three)
The Bible clearly declares that we are justified by faith (Romans 3:28, 5:1). That does not mean that our faith earns God’s justification. Christ earned our justification. We merely receive justification by faith, or by trusting solely in Christ. And our faith, like everything else associated with our salvation, is not naturally ours or generated by us. It too is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
Though justification is by faith alone in Christ alone, saving faith is not alone in those God justifies. Along with the gift of faith, God gives the gift of a new heart, new affections (for Christ, for His Word, and for His people), and of repentance (Acts 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:25). While human works contribute nothing whatsoever to salvation, motivated by loving obedient gratitude, the hearts of those justified by God’s grace “work out” the grace that God “works in” (Philippians 2:12-13). Justified people still sin, but unlike in their previous unregenerate state, they experience godly sorrow for sin and possess a genuine desire to turn from it
(2 Corinthians 7:9-10).
While justification is explained more fully in the New Testament, it is not exclusively a New Testament concept. All people since Adam, up to and including the last person who will be saved before Christ returns, are justified in the same way (Genesis 15:6, Romans 3:20).
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