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Justification: Forgiveness from God

• “That I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a
righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but…
the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith”
(Philippians 3:8–9).

Faith, then, is the hand that reaches out to take what God offers. It is
not the basis for justification but it is the condition. Someone has noted
that there is no more merit in this
kind of faith than there is in a beggar
who holds out his hand for a gift.
Faith is never presented as the price Faith is the hand
of justification, but faith is the that reaches out to
means of accepting it.
take what God offers.
Since the means of justification It is not the basis for
is faith, several errors may be
cleared away. First, the pride of justification but it is
self-righteousness and self-effort the condition.
is removed since fallen people are
incapable of either goodness or
justice. Paul said in Titus 3:5 that
“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because
of his mercy.” Second, the fear that we are too weak and sinful to see our
salvation experience through to successful completion is also removed.
Faith is both important and powerful for it unites a person to Christ. In
union with Christ, a person has the motive and the power to live a life
of righteousness: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). “Those who belong
to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful nature with its passions and
desires” (Galatians 5:24). Paul expressed his gratitude for the vitality of
the faith of believers at Philippi: “Being confident of this, that he who
began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of
Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Faith, the means of justification, is awakened in a person by the
influence of the Holy Spirit, usually through the proclamation of the
Word of God. The Scriptures indicate that “faith comes from hearing
the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”
(Romans 10:17). Faith lays hold of God’s promise and receives salvation.

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