Justification—"Remission
of sin, and absolution from guilt and punishment; or, an
act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner, and
accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of
Christ."—Webster.
"Be it
known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through
this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and
by him all that believe are justified from all things,
from which ye could not be justified by the law of
Moses."—Acts 13 :38, 39.
"Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that
is in Christ Jesus: . . . Therefore we conclude that a man
is justified by faith without the deeds of the
law."—Rom. 3 :24, 28.
"Much
more, then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through him."—Rom. 5:9.
"Justification
is a work of God wrought in the heart. It is not effected
by growth, outward pruning, self culture, or good works
which we may do; but by having the blood of Christ applied
to the heart. It is received through repentance and faith.
In it is comprehended three things— Conversion,
Regeneration, Adoption. It is that work of grace which
quickens the sinner into spiritual life, remits all his
actual transgressions, brings him into divine favor, and
gives him peace with God. "Being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ." —Rom 5 :1.
All
condemnation is removed; and the soul is elevated from the
low sensual plane of sin, to a plane of purity, where it
is surrounded by a heavenly atmosphere. Such a one has
become a "new creation." "Old things
[sinful passions and desires] pass away, and, behold, all
things become new." A new life begins. This change
will be apparent to all. Former habits and practices
cease. In fact, justification saves from all outward sin.
"Whosoever is born of God, cloth not commit
sin."—1 John 3:9. Those who live to the Bible
standard of justification "need no repentance."
Luke 15:7. "The way of the just is
uprightness."—Isa. 26:7. "Such as are upright
in their way, are his delight."—Prov. 11:20.
Justification
saves from the "love of the world," such as
worldly dress, worldly applause, worldly company, worldly
pleasures and amusements. The latter includes going to
shows, fairs, socials, festivals, Fourth of July picnics,
baseball games, etc. I John 2:15-17; James 4:4. It saves
from scolding, grumbling, fretting; from saying harsh,
cutting words when pressed or in a hurry; from sending
'heated flings' at another. Rom. 8:9. It saves men from
driving close bargains. Matt. 7:12. It saves from telling
obscene stories, from joking and jesting. Eph. 5:3, 4.
It saves from
speaking evil of your neighbors, and of the faults and
failings of the brethren and sisters in a way to injure
them. It saves from seeing the faults of others quicker
than their good qualities. Eph. 4:29-32. It saves from
harboring jealousy and bitterness towards another; from
getting jealous because your neighbor prospers more than
you. S. of Sol. 8:6. It saves from stubbornness; from
pouting and wanting to have your own way about things. It
will help you to keep patient when reproved, contradicted,
and misunderstood. Gal. 5:22, 23. It gives power over
unclean habits and practices, and "lusts of the
flesh."
The standard
of Bible justification is a holy life: a life of growth,
and a daily increasing in the fruits of the Spirit.
"The path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day."—Prov.
4:18.
"But
while all actual transgressions are forgiven, and the
outward life is pure and holy; yet there remains in the
heart an unrighteous nature, the "carnal mind."
1 Cor. 3:1-3. It is sin. 1 John 5:17. Sin in nature; sin
as a moral element, or bent to evil. It is sometimes
styled the "inherited sin." It is said to be
"sin that dwelleth in me." Rom. 7:17. Sin in
"motion." Ver. 5. It lusts after things contrary
to the Spirit. Gal. 5:17.
The following
are some of its manifestations: inward stirrings of anger
when things go wrong; harshness; an inward feeling of
resentment when rebuked or reproved; a quick, touchy,
sensitive spirit, inward feelings of pride when much used
of God; an exalted feeling over your good appearance,
natural abilities, good training, etc.; a secret fondness
of being noticed; drawing attention to self in
conversation; a headstrong disposition; a disposition to
be discouraged when set aside or unnoticed, a love to be
coaxed and humored; a man-fearing spirit; selfishness,
etc. This causes an inward warfare between the
"flesh" and "spirit." It is the dual
state of man's experience.
But be it
remembered that God gives grace sufficient to enable his
children to keep victory, and not give way by committing
sin. Yet this inward trouble will often cast shadows of
gloom and discouragement over the spiritual sky of the
believer. The soul will soon yearn for deliverance, and
hunger and thirst for more righteousness.
No sin can
enter heaven; none but the pure in heart shall see God;
and, "behold, now is the day of salvation." So
in this world this evil nature must be removed. Man within
himself cannot remove it; death will never remove it:
hence it follows conclusively that it can only be removed,
or taken out of the heart, by an act of God's free grace.
What then is the grace that removes it?
