Justified By The Faith Of Christ
”Even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ.”—Galatians 2:16
‘We therefore make this definition of a Christian, that he is not one who is without sin, but one to whom God imputeth not his sin, through faith in Christ. Here we must be nothing at all, but only receive the treasure, which is Christ, and apprehend him in our hearts by faith, though we feel ourselves to be never so full of sin. Thus God will glorify his Son, and be glorified in us through him.’ Thus speaks Luther. Having the same spirit of faith, we thus speak, make the same confession, rejoice in the same hope, are justified by the same Jesus, comforted by the same truth, sanctified by the same Spirit, are heirs of the same promises, and entitled to the same kingdom. And ever remember, all is of free grace.
Here the most dignified apostle, as well as the most obscure sinner are upon a level: there is no difference. Both have the same evils to be delivered from, the same object to be saved by, both believe in one Jesus to the same blessed end, to enjoy peace and pardon from God the Father. In the knowledge of this consists all our comfort; and for this, as poor needy sinners, we are constantly to cleave to Jesus from hour to hour. Have we believed many years since, that we might be justified? True, once justified, and ever so; never after condemned, as viewed in Jesus in the sight of God. ‘For who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect. It is God that justified; who is he that condemneth.’ Rom. 8:34. But how is it now in our consciences? Faith is a rooted grace, it cannot be lost. Love is its inseparable companion; sweet peace its blessed fruit. But ‘do ye now believe,’ said Jesus. Have you the love of God now in you? Doth the sense of peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, now abide in the heart? If not, intervening clouds, from the world, sin, Satan, or the law, intercept the light of God’s countenance, and the sunshine of his love. What then? Must we live and die without hope? No, blessed be God, he rests in his love; it is ever the same. Jesus ever lives and prays; gospel grace is still proclaimed to the wretched. Come, as at the beginning, to Jesus, owning sin, grieving for folly, and believe in him that we may be justified in our consciences, and have a fresh sense of pardon and peace. ‘They that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.’ Psalm 9:10
Good reason for my faith I have
Drawn from the law of love;
My Father gave his Son to save,
This gift doth faith approve.
The faith of Christ does justify
The ways of God to man;
And God in Christ does justify
All who this truth can scan.
M.
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
