Day 193

Of Justification.

Chapter 11, Paragraph 2.

“Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ, and his Righteousness, is the alone instrument of Justification; yet is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving Graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.”

Scripture Lookup

Rom. 3:28

Galatians 5:6

James 2:17,22,26

Reflection

Christians are declared righteous by God only by faith in Christ.

But what does saving faith look like?

Does saving faith have any outward manifestation? Can you be a Christian and no one ever know –  a “quiet faith”, if you may?

Is saving faith merely a mouth voicing the words, “I believe in Jesus”?

Is it mere obedience, duty devoid of feeling?

The faith that saves is not a dense fog of our own works that settles around us, but is a beam of light that directs our gaze to Jesus. Justification is by faith apart from works because saving faith rests solely upon Christ and His righteousness. We do not and cannot add anything to our justification. No amount of good work you do will enhance your standing before God. How can it, when the Son of God paid it all for you? The idea of being declared righteous based on our own works lessens Christ’s glory and insults His mediatorial work on our behalf.

However, since saving faith directs our gaze outside of ourselves and to Christ for salvation, such faith will always be accompanied by outward evidences that it exists. Like a pot of boiling water that bubbles up and overflows, our faith will be manifest in our speech and actions. It accompanies an enlightened mind that declares the gospel, a heart that loves the Savior, and a will that desires to obey and despises sin. Saving faith works by love, demonstrating its vitality. The faith that alone saves is never alone, thanks be to God!

Questions to Consider

• Do you tend to fall into thinking that your works justify you, or do you tend to fall into thinking that faith is not accompanied by works?