Scripture speaks unequivocally. Faith precedes justification in the
sinner’s experience, and faith leads to actual justification.1 This, it
goes without saying, does not mean justification by works! While
faith is a duty,2 it is not a work! According to hyper-Calvinists,
however, this kind of talk does lead to justification by works. To
fend off this rightful dread of works in connection with
justification, they argue that the elect sinner is actually justified in
eternity. It follows, therefore, that actual justification precedes faith
in the sinner’s experience. In fact, according to hyper-Calvinists, it
is justification that leads to faith. They are wrong. Justification does
not lead to faith; faith brings justification. If they had been talking
about election and faith, they could not have been more right. But
since they are talking about justification and faith, they are
grievously mistaken. While election is actual in eternity,
justification is not. Hyper-Calvinists confuse election and
justification. They conflate the two. Let me elucidate. |
