Our purpose is to consider the subject of Justification in the various ways it is presented in the Word of God. By it a deep sense of security is established in the believer's soul, and the blessedness of our place before God is realized.

Of first importance is the fact that justification is God's act; and, second, to know when it takes place. Then, that it is apart from law and works of law, but that it is based upon the work of the Cross.

It is presented in various aspects, and thus we have:Justification by faith; by grace; by blood; by the Spirit; in Christ; from sin; of life; by-works; and it is closely connected with the resurrection of Christ.

We can see at once it involves much precious truth, which may it please God by His Spirit to enable us to gather together for profit and blessing.

1. GOD’S ACT.

Justification is the act or declaration which clears a person from every charge, or imputation of guilt. In justifying the believer, God clears him according to His own character, in righteousness; it also sets before us the ground upon which this position is maintained before God.

In Romans 3:21-26, God is shown to be "just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus:" that is, faith acknowledging, or receiving Jesus, God appropriates all the value of Jesus to him that has faith. We see from this scripture that a special character of God – His righteousness – is connected with justification. It also tells us how this righteous character is manifested (whether as to the "passing by " before, and in view of, the Cross, or the present "justifying" of the believer); it is through Christ "set forth a propitiation (or mercy-seat) through faith in His blood." Christ is thus presented to faith, because in Him is "redemption." Thus, righteously, God can be "towards all." He makes the gracious offer to justify every one who believes in Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross provides the righteous ground on which God's righteousness is not simply "toward " but over, as a shield, to everyone who "believes in Jesus."

That is a very blessed thought! God's holy character, His righteousness, which cannot be abated one whit, is now over us, our protection. For God demands not twice satisfaction for the same thing. The sacrifice of the Cross having met completely God's character and righteous demands, His righteousness becomes our protection. " Over " is better than "upon," for this "righteousness of God" is not considered as put upon us like a garment, nor is it what is imputed to us, nor is it exactly the righteousness we are said to be in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21); but it is simply that character of God which must be against the sinner as such, but which becomes a shield from all charges against the believer. This is all founded upon the redemption wrought by Christ; and having faith in Him, its full value is made ours-conferred upon us. Acceptance with God is on the basis of the precious blood of which the Mercy-seat speaks. By it, God clears, acquits, justifies the self-confessed ungodly who come to Him like Abel, trusting in the blood of the slain Lamb.
Now let us consider a little the distinctions as to righteousness. We are not made righteousness:nor do we become "righteousness of God," through justification. Nor is it in this way reckoned or imputed to us. That which is imputed as righteousness to us is the fact of believing God (Rom. 4:1-5). Now if by reason of faith in the blood God justifies, and this faith is reckoned as righteousness, then in connection with justification there is a righteousness attaching to me. It is called "righteousness of faith " (Rom. 4:13).

A different thought is given us in i Cor. i:30. Christ, there, has been made to us righteousness. He is this for tis in a positive way, for He is ever "Jesus Christ, righteous" (i John 2:1-without the article):it is His character. He is absolutely "righteousness of God"; He is the expression of what God is; and having met the whole question of sin by sacrifice in which our faith now rests, it can be said we "become righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21). How we come to be "in Him " we shall see as we go on with our subject.

We have then three distinct thoughts:1st, righteousness of God over us like a shield, and, imputed righteousness, through the act of faith. 3rd, we become righteousness of God, are positively according to His character as being in Christ, for so we are looked upon by God. It is our position.

It is well to note that there is no difference of measure as to justification. "For there is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely." One is not more justified than another. Christ is the measure of our acceptance before God; the same for every believer. All are alike fully cleared, and that "from all things." It is through the redemption "in Christ Jesus." Mark the order of the names, for we will find in the study of Scripture a distinct reason for the order in which the Spirit of God mentions the names of Christ. Redemption, then, is the basis of God's justifying us-as being in the exalted, glorified Saviour. Justification is necessarily connected with life-life in Christ.

In verse 26 (Rom. 3) it says, "Justifying him who is of the faith of Jesus " (New Trans.). It is the participle present in the Greek. This is very precious. Justification is not simply an act of the past taking place when we believe, but it is a continuous, subsisting state-always applying to us before God. It is as unchangeable as God is, His righteousness being linked with it. Let us look now at other passages which show it to be God's act.

Rom. 3:30. "It is one God who shall justify the circumcision on the principle of faith and uncircumcision by faith." Rom. 8:30:"But whom He has predestinated, these also He has called; and whom He has called, these also He has justified; but whom He has justified, these also He has glorified " (New Trans.). Here justification is plainly connected with God's purposes; it is as enduring therefore as His purposes which can never fail. This is all spoken of as in the past, and is linked primarily with God's foreknowledge. Therefore all these things, justification included, apply to us from the first moment we are brought into relationship with God-from the moment we believe God. Rom. 8:33:"Who shall bring an accusation against God's elect ? It is God who justifies." Since it is God's act, no accusation, no charge from Satan can possibly avail against us. Redemption through Christ Jesus makes it possible for God to justify, and be righteous in so doing.

Gal. 3:8:"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations on the principle of faith, announced beforehand the glad tidings to Abraham:In thee all the nations shall be blessed."
Finally, Rom. 4:5:"But to him who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness" (New Trans.). J. B.

(To be continued.)