Justified by the Faith of Christ

“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.”

(Galatians 2:16)

And I would that this were clearly and distinctly understood because those who profess to hold what is called ‘justification by faith’ too frequently attribute such importance to faith as to imply that it possesses justifying properties and qualities; that it has in itself the merit of justification and that it is for, or on account of, our believing that we are justified – all of which is erroneous. That it is by faith is in conformity to God’s Word but this signifies, not that faith is the procuring cause but simply the eye that sees, the hand that grasps it.

It is ‘by faith’ we discover that our righteousness is alone in Christ and that it is in Him that all the seed of Israel shall be justified and shall glory. By faith we see all that dwelleth in the creature to be nothing but condemnation and curse and discover that the man who is justified before God, must be brought out of self to rely implicitly and entirely upon the perfect work of the LORD Jesus Christ. But the eye that sees the antidote did not make it. The hand that takes the antidote did not earn it. It is an acceptance and a reception by faith. Therefore, as often as you read or listen to the phrase so commonly employed and so seldom explained, “We are justified by faith” do not imagine that faith has any inherent justifying qualities of merits but that it is simply the eye that sees, the hand that grasps, the power that rests and the confidence that abides in Christ and receives salvation wholly in His blood and righteousness.

I desire to be very explicit in reference to this point because of the sad mistakes concerning it which are abroad in the world in modern times. When we talk of obtaining justifying righteousness by faith we receive it of God. Our faith credits His testimony and stretches forth her hands, as He quickens it and calls it into exercise, to lay hold upon His perfect righteousness and plead it before the throne and grasp every promise connected with it and then to rejoice in the fact... “...that there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

Oh, the vast importance of having clear views in relation to this distinction.