Justification and the Law

"knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law." Galatians 2:16 MKJV

"For as many as are out of works of the Law, these are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the Law in the sight of God is clear, for, "The just shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; but "The man who does these things shall live in them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone having been hanged on a tree"); Galatians 3:10-12 MKJV

The ground of Justification is completely outside the realm of our personal character and conduct or obedience to the Law in any form. This is what we are getting at when we say that salvation is NOT by works and good deeds. Any who preach that Salvation, which also includes Justification, is totally without works will be persecuted for the "offense of the cross." In short, the offense of the cross is the consistent preaching of the gospel in its clarity. It is preached in such a way with the idea that God will accept no other righteousness besides the absolute, perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. This allows no room in Justification for boasting or glorying in man's will, pride, work, or his merit. God does not accept it, but calls it the sin of self-righteous unbelief.

Most all men automatically have the preconceived notion that since disobedience got us into the mess we are in, then our obedience will surely get us out. This is the greatest deception that mankind can fall under. This self-righteous attitude of unbelief is the first and foremost evidence of Total Depravity. So if space is made for man to occupy a part of the ground of Salvation by some work then the offense of the cross is removed and the message is to be put in the false gospel category. Why is this such a big deal? Paul summed it up in Galatians 2:21; "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness is through law, then Christ died without cause."

Also, many who know nothing about the gospel go around to spread a message still with no proper ground for Justification. They insist that Salvation and Justification have nothing at all to do with the Law. In short they are saying that the gospel is NO LAW. But gospel preachers insist that the message is not merely "no Law", but rather "Law SATISFIED." In this way there is a real foundation for grace to reign through righteousness (Rom 5:21). This way shows God to be both a just God and a Savior. God's character is vindicated in the process. This way focuses on what happened on the cross between the Father and His Son. This way asserts a particular ingredient missing in 99.9% of all religion and that is Propitiation.

Propitiation is the action of Jesus Christ to satisfy Law and justice as He lived in obedience and died paying the penalty, as a sacrifice, of that same Law broken. Any successful propitiation will result in a successful reconciliation. If it does not result in that then the former was lacking or incomplete. Universal Atonement has this idea as its foundation that God had all in mind and Christ died for all with no real satisfaction to the Law once and forever for those Her died in the place of. It was rather a general and or potential work based on further conditions fulfilled by the sinner to complete it. This is an abomination in God's sight. It is self-justification based on the will and works of the sinner that would raise Man high and bringing God low.

Is Justification a matter of the Law? You better believe it. Our Law keeping? No! His Law keeping and satisfaction of it in His obedience and death. Praise God He effectively saves all He intends and has purposed to save! Praise God that in His wisdom He used the proper legal tender to purchase Justification and satisfy Himself......the precious blood of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ!! He is The Lord Our Righteousness!

Effectual Atonement Cannot Be Separated From Justification

Justification of any sinner is based on the merit of the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ established and imputed to their account. What goes into the establishment of this righteousness is the perfect life and death of Christ. This is the basic content of the gospel of grace.

Why do some sovereign grace, Calvinist, Reformed preachers and theologians want to compromise in tolerating Universal Atonement as a legitimate form of the gospel? Why have they totally divorced the doctrine of the atonement of Christ from the doctrine of Justification? They are speaking out of both sides of their mouth. They write articles saying Arminianism is a false gospel but they let the famous ones slide without holding them to the same gospel standard as us regular folks. This is respect of persons! This is dishonoring to God Almighty!