Faith justifies. Faith is not a meritorious work but joins the soul to Christ. The crown and glory of the Gospel is “justification by faith without the deeds of the law.” It is of God. The doctrine of justification by faith honours all attributes of God, His justice, mercy, and holiness. It gives the whole credit of the sinner’s salvation to the Saviour He has appointed. It honours the Son and so honours the Father who sent Him. It gives man no partnership in his redemption but makes salvation to be wholly of the Lord. It must be of God. The doctrine of justification is beautiful and glorifies God.

1. The doctrine of justification by faith calculates everything thoroughly to put man in his right place. It shows him his own sinfulness, weakness, and inability to save his soul by his own works. It leaves him without excuse if he is not saved at last. It offers to him peace and pardon without price.
2. The doctrine of justification by faith comforts the broken-hearted and penitent sinner. It brings to such a one glad tidings. It shows him that there is hope even for him. It tells him though he is a great sinner, there is ready for him a great Saviour, and though he cannot justify himself, God can and will justify him for the sake of Christ.
3. The doctrine of justification satisfies a true Christian. It supplies him with a solid ground of comfort – the finished work of Christ. If anything was left for the Christian to do, where would his comfort be? Without the doctrine of justification, he would never know that he has only to believe and receive peace, meets never fear.
4. The doctrine of justification by faith satisfies…. It draws men by the strongest of all cords, the cord of love. It makes them feel they are debtors and in gratitude bound to love much, when much has been forgiven. Preaching up works never produces such fruit as preaching them down. Exalting man’s goodness and merits never makes men so holy as exalting Christ. The free grace of Christ will produce far greater effects on men’s lives than the sternest commands of law.
5. The doctrine of justification by faith strengthens the hands of a minister. It enables him to come to the vilest of men and say, “There is a door of hope even for you.” It enables him to feel, “While life lasts there are no incurable cases among the souls under my charge.” Many a minister by the use of this doctrine can say of souls, “I found them in the state of nature. I beheld them pass into the state of grace. I watched them moving into the state of glory.”
6. The doctrine of justification by faith wears well. It suits men when they first begin, like the Philippian jailor, crying “What shall I do to be saved?” It suits them when they fight in the forefront of the battle. Like the apostle Paul, they say, “The life that I live, I live by the faith of the Son of God.” It suits them when they die, as it did Stephen when he cried, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Even a fierce opponent of this doctrine will say, when he departs, “I trust in nothing but Christ. Receive my soul.”
7. The doctrine of justification by faith requires from man a child-like faith. Do we know anything of simple child-like confidence in Jesus? Do we know what it is to rest our soul’s hopes wholly on Christ? Remember that where there is no faith, there is no interest in Christ. Where there is no interest in Christ, there is no justification. Where there is no justification, there can be no peace with God. Where there no peace with God, there is no heaven.

Having known the values of true saving faith and the doctrine of justification by faith, now I’ll turn to some additional thoughts for your edification.

1. I must begin with a question: “Are you justified?” You have heard this topic many a time before, and you have read of it some more by now. You know that there is such a thing like justification by faith. You know where it is to be found. A question is, “do you possess it yourself?” Is it your own? Have you peace with God? May the question ring in your ears and never leave you until you can give it a satisfactory answer. May the Holy Spirit of God so apply it to your heart that you may be able to say boldly before you die, “Being justified by faith, I have peace with God through Jesus Christ our God.”
2. Now I must warn everyone who knows that he has not peace with God. You are not justified! You have not peace with God! You are, in fact, in great danger. You and God are not friends. Your ways, your words, your thoughts, your actions are a continual offence to Him. They are all unpardoned and unforgiven. They cover you from head to toe. They provoke Him every day to cut you off. There sits at the right hand of God a mighty Saviour, able and willing to give you peace, and you do not see Him. He has called to you, and you have refused His counsel. He has cried, “Come to Me,” and you have practically replied, “I will not.” He has said, “My ways are ways of pleasantness,” and you have constantly said, “I like my own sinful ways far better.” Worldly riches cannot heal a broken heart. Worldly business will leave you one day. Worldly pleasures do not satisfy you fully. Is this wisdom, is this fairness, is this kindness to your soul?
3. Now I speak to all who want peace and know not where to find it. You want peace! Then seek it without delay from Him who alone is able to give it – Christ Jesus the Lord. Go to Him in humble prayer and ask Him to fulfill His own promises and look graciously on your soul. Seek Christ Himself, and do not stop short of personal dealings with Him. Rest not in regular attendance on Christ’s ordinances. Be not content with becoming a communicant and receiving the Lord’s Supper. Think not to find solid peace in this way. You must see the King’s face and be touched by His golden sceptre. You must speak to the Physician and open your whole case to Him. Seek Christ and wait not till you feel you have repented enough. Wait not till your knowledge is increased. Wait not till you have no ravelled tangle of doubts and darkness and unbelief all over your heart. Seek Christ just as you are. Seek Christ, and do not fancy you must sit still. Let not Satan tempt you to suppose that you must wait in a state of passive inaction and not strive to lay hold upon Jesus. It is better to struggle towards Christ and strive to lay hold than to sit still with your arms folded in sin and unbelief.

A true Christian is known by his warfare as well as by his peace. Let doubts and fears drive you to the throne of grace, stir you up to more prayer, and send you more frequently to Christ.

Lovingly,

Your Pastor

More Lively Hope

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