- 172. Justified by Faith
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
The promise of justification by faith in Christ is central to our whole Christian faith and life, and it is the first step in receiving and activating all the other promises of Scripture. Everything begins and everything else depends on this promise. Justification by faith rules, norms, guides and informs every article of faith and every aspect of life.
Every day begins and ends with Gospel. The Gospel directs every decision. Every thought is brought into captivity to the Gospel. Every act and deed is surrounded with the Gospel. The Gospel forgives every sin. Every good work is motivated by the Gospel. The Gospel is the message that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Life doesn’t actually work out that way in conscious thought, but unconsciously it can come closer to working that way when we purposely and intentionally hear the Gospel regularly.
“Justified” is to be declared righteous, or just, by God. We do not (and we cannot) do good works in order to be justified, or right with God. We do good works because we are justified already by faith. It is the good work of Christ that actually justifies, but it is the faith applied by the Holy Spirit through the preached Word of Gospel that personally appropriates justification. Faith subjectively makes it my own personal possession, although it is an “alien” righteousness. Alien means it is not native to me or inherent in me, but it is God’s righteousness applied to me. It is the alien righteousness given to me by grace that initiates the good works that I do. In Christ by faith I do the works of the law.
The declaration of justification comes first; faith follows that proclamation; and then good works follows on and flows out of faith. Another way of saying it: Jesus saves; faith receives; good works flows from faith. Changing the order will get us mixed up, confused, and left in doubt and ultimate misery. Whenever we find ourselves in such a state we can always return to the first promise: “I am justified by the faith of Jesus Christ.” We can re-orient our livesany time we need to. And we need to take hold of this promise often.