April 28, 2014
The article of justification is said to be
the article of the standing or falling of the church. If that is true, how many
churches are standing today?
The Old School Baptists stated their
comprehensive understanding of justification in these succinct words:
1689.11. 4.
God did from all eternity decree to justify
all the elect, (11) and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins,
and rise again for their justification;(12) nevertheless, they are not
justified PERSONALLY, until the Holy Spirit doth in time due actually apply
Christ unto them.(13) 11. Gal 3:8; 1Pe 1:2; 1Ti 2:6. 12. Ro 4:25. 13. Col
1:21-22; Tit 3:4-7.
[I highlighted the word 'personally']
With this paragraph the Old School Baptists
PLAINLY declare the MULTIFACETED nature of the doctrine of justification - a
grand truth that few churches know today!
a. There is the justification that is
decreed. By this, all the elect are justified in the mind and purpose of God.
- This decretal justification is by God, and
for all the elect, from all eternity
b. There is a justification that is secured
and accomplished by Christ by His blood/righteousness/faithfulness. This is the legal justification for all the elect. His righteousness was legally IMPUTED to
all the elect.
- This aspect of justification is plainly
stated and elaborated in para. 3.
- This legal justification is by Christ's
blood/righteousness/faithfulness alone, and involved every elect of God, and
happened at the cross.
c. There is a justification that is applied
to an elect personally by God's free grace when He effectually calls an elect
out of his native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation.
- What was imputed legally is now APPLIED
personally.
- This aspect of justification is stated and
elaborated in para.1
- What was LEGAL is now PERSONAL.
- The application takes place at the effectual
calling to grace and salvation through the activities of the Spirit of God.
So many are ignorant of the above aspects of
justification.
d. There is a justification that is
experienced through faith in Christ.
- BY faith in Christ a child of God experienced
the blessedness of his justified state by the free grace of God. Believing
evidences the justification that has taken place freely by the grace of God.
- It is those freely justified by God's grace
alone who are able to believe.
- Those not justified by the free grace of
God are still in their native state of death and condemnation, thus completely
incapable of believing.
- This aspect of justification is experienced
at initial conversion, and throughout life.
So many make this aspect the sum total of
what they believe concerning justification - their justification before God by
their faith in Christ. Sola fideism is a popular lie.
e. There is an aspect of justification which
shall be vindicated finally
- by God before the judgment throne
- on the great judgment day
So, there are these manifold aspects in the doctrine of justification - decreed, accomplished, applied, experienced, and
finally vindicated.
Your LEGAL justification by Christ
blood/righteousness/faithfulness took place AT the cross, just as your LEGAL
condemnation took place at the fall in the garden of Eden.
Your VITAL justification by God's grace took
place AT your effectual calling to grace and salvation (while you were DEAD in
trespasses and sins), just as your vital/personal condemnation took effect at
your conception by your earthly father.
Your EVIDENTIAL/EXPERIENTIAL justification
took place at your conversion through faith IN Jesus Christ, just as your
experiential condemnation takes place at your acts of sin.
May our Lord open your eyes to see the truth
of justification more COMPLETELY, and move from the popular protestant lie of faith
only!
A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.
Reformed
shibboleths confuse, mislead, and deceive.------------
Initially posted here:
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10201962658843553:0
Go to this link to read the numerous comments
