Through Faith We Are Justified

For this reason I bow my knees

to the Father of our 

Lord Jesus Christ,

from whom the whole family

in heaven and earth is named,

that He would grant you,

according to the riches

of His glory,

to be strengthened with might

through His Spirit in the inner man,

that Christ may dwell

in your hearts through faith;

that you, 

being rooted and grounded in love...

Ephesians 3:14-17

     It is this union with Jesus Christ that is the proximate effect, and that of justification. Two effects occur simultaneously when we through faith, and that of the free gift of God, come to Jesus Christ as Savior through faith, and that is justification and sanctification. Both occur in the sight of God through Jesus Christ we have both effects. An example is the thief on the cross, who by means of his faith entered in paradise with Jesus Christ upon his death. He did nothing of himself to achieve that wonderful promise, that of of living with our Savior for eternity. Now being justified is one thing, being sanctified is another, for we are justified in this life, but we must allow ourselves to become sanctified, and that is through our faith and our participation in Jesus Christ. This sanctification is a growing effect, not stagnant, and as we are renewed we come within ourselves, Jesus Christ becomes our head and our life. Paul writes: Knowing that a man s not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be saved" (Galatians 2:16). Now, it is faith, the condition upon which God  promises in the covenant of salvation and redemption to impute unto men righteousness of Christ. It is not any righteousness of ourselves, it is the righteousness of Christ that is imputed, as was done to the thief on the cross. Therefore, as soon as  a child of God believes he is no longer condemned. It it by being clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ that answers all charges of condemnation. Those who would adhere to a theology of a person who may lose their salvation have no ground for such a theology. When God saves, you are saved! Again, Paul, and I, remind all, that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, and that faith one has is due solely to the election of God: "Who is he who condemns? it is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us" (Romans 8:33-34). 

     What joy should flood the soul! What more does anyone need to be exhilarated about than the fact that by Jesus Christ' oblation, and passion, all who God has elected to salvation will come and never lose their right through the work of Christ and our faith, not of ourselves, but of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit living in our hearts, we are saved, saved for eternity. Let us then be reminded, although we have been saved, justified, sanctified, through Jesus Christ, we must by all necessity have our lives renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Holy Spirit will renew us only as we allow Him to do so. One of the ways, and the best way to do that is by reading and applying His Word in our lives. This changing power and revelation is by means of that Word.  It is that Word in our hearts that the Holy Spirit recalls in those times when we need it most. The Psalmist states: How can a young man cleanse his ways? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought you; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:9-11). 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

     be with you all. Amen

                            Philippians 4:23

Richard L. Crumb