Leonsie
Did I
grasp the gist of what James Buchanan was trying to lay out in his book?
Justification is Christ's work, but our own faith is AFTER we have been given the
Holy Spirit.
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sing
I'm delighted that you are looking at
Buchanan's magnum opus. Too many reformed people don't have a clue about the
distinct aspects of justification pointed out by Buchanan in this classic work
on justification.
We need to be clear on the distinct role each
Person of the Triune God in relationship to the justification of an elect in
his native state of condemnation and death and alienation.
1 It's God who justifies.
A. God himself purposed justification for
those He had elected out of the fallen race of Adam. The Decretal Aspect of
Justification
B. God himself provided the basis/ground for
the justification of His elect - by Christ's righteousness and blood.
- This is the Legal Aspect of Justification.
- This is Justified by the faith OF Christ.
Romans 3:22, Gal 2:16,20; 3:22, Ph 3:9)
C. God Himself freely applies the
righteousness of Christ to the elect when they are dead in trespasses and sins,
at His own appointed and approved time.
- This is the Vital/Personal Aspect of
Justification.
- This is justification by the grace of God.
Romans 3:24.
- When the righteousness of Christ is freely
applied to an elect, the Holy Spirit has the divine warrant to regenerate the
spiritually dead.
- Those regenerated by the Spirit are adopted
by the Father, and are given the Spirit of adoption to dwell in them.
- This indwelling Spirit of adoption works
the fruit of the Spirit in them, including faith. Romans 8:15.
D. God Himself provides His children the
means/ instrument to experience the blessedness of their justification by God's
free grace (C above).
- the indwelling Spirit of God works faith in
God's children, enabling them to believe. BUT they must do the work of
believing.
- Believing is an activity of man, it's work.
- John 6:29 KJT — "Jesus answered and
said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath
sent."
- This is the Practical/Experiential Aspect
of Justification. This is what is described in Gen 15:1-6.
E. God Himself will consummate the
justification He has purposed before the foundation of the world.
- The consummation shall take place at the
general resurrection to glorification.
- Glorification is the Final Aspect of
Justification
I hope the above makes sense. If not, ask.
