Last week we were introduced to Justification. As a reminder justification is the forgiveness of our sins and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. Though we were spiritually dead, we receive a right standing with God (we are justified) through faith in Jesus Christ. When God opens our hearts to trust in Christ, our sins become his and his righteousness become ours.
Today’s confession speaks about this faith. It says that justifying faith is not dead, but works by love. What does that mean? Ephesians 2:8-10 sheds some light on this issue. It says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Salvation is a gift of God. We do not earn it, we do not deserve it. It is a gift of God so that no one can boast… but our salvation doesn’t leave us where we are. God continues to shape us and mold us into the image of his Son, Jesus. As our old pastor use to say, it is a package deal. Justification is accompanied by other saving graces including sanctification, adoption, faith and repentance, good works, glorification, and others. It is a package deal.
As a quick warning… If you are a Christian and think that because I believe Christ and he forgives all my sins… I can go on sinning all the more because he’s gonna forgive me… then you are truly mistaken.
As we read today’s confession we are reminded that faith alone in Christ justifies us, (saves us), but our faith does not remain alone… it is accompanied by a real inward change of our hearts to do good works prepared by God. That is what a true Christian experiences.
Faith—receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness—is the only instrument of justification; yet it is not the only grace in the person justified, but is always accompanied by all other saving graces. Justifying faith is not dead, but works by love.
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