Footsteps # 43

In the light of the council of Jerusalem (Acts.15) and the strength of Paul’s presentation in Galatians 1 & 2 it is apparent that there is not a point that needs to be dwelt upon more earnestly, repeated more frequently, or established more firmly in the minds of all than the impossibility of fallen humanity meriting anything by our own best good works. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. God cannot pronounce anyone righteous on the basis of that person’s behaviour.

The law demands a perfect righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. Anything less than perfection is sin. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” (1John.3:4). The wages of sin is death: (Rom.6.23) The only way in which he can attain to this perfect righteousness is through faith. By faith we can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to the sinner’s account. Christ’s righteousness is accepted in place of man’s failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as He loves His Son. That is the essence of justification by faith. Think of this staggering exchange made at the cross – when you accept His offer your sin is upon Christ and His righteousness is upon you. He takes your death and gives you his life. What an exchange! “He made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (1Cor5:21). Magnificent words! Life changing words!

Remember, Justification is a legal word. It is a declaration in your favour. What then shall I say of the moral law? God’s Ten Commandment law is an unchanging and universal standard of right and wrong, supreme and inspired, it exhorts us to live fully and completely in the shadow of His grace. The law says do, the gospel says done.