Justifying Those Who Believe

God gave His only begotten Son to save humanity. Thus He might be just and yet the justifier of all who accept Christ.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of one which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26.

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

Thus we see the value that God places on humanity and the love He has for His children. It is revealed by the infinite Gift He made to redeem humans.

Adam fell under the dominion of Satan. He brought sin and death by sin to the world. God gave His only begotten Son to save humankind and maintain His justice.

Now justice and mercy could blend. He could be just, and yet the Justifier of all who would believe in Christ.

How is God reconciled to humans?

For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.

Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, 

to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:16, 17.

It is by the work and merit of Jesus Christ, putting aside everything that would interpose between humans and God's pardoning love.

The Law that they transgressed is not changed to meet the sinners in their fallen condition.

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:20. There is no life without God.

Conversely, the Law is made:

• Manifest as the transcript of Jehovah's character and speaker of His holy will

• Exalted and magnified in the life and character of Jesus Christ.

Further a way of salvation is provided by the spotless Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29.

Jesus stands in the sinner's place and takes the guilt of the transgressor upon Himself. He became the sinner's substitute.

Thus God can be just to His way of governing the whole Universe, and be the Justifier of them that believe in Jesus.

For God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself; 2 Corinthians 5:19

Those who accept Christ as their righteousness and their only hope - pardon is pronounced.

Thus the justice, truth, and holiness of Christ, which are approved by the Law of God, form a channel through which mercy may be  communicated to the repenting and believing sinners.

Christ’s righteousness

The Law of God is changeless as His character and will. So, how do we see the justice of God in the redemption of humans?

The claim of the law (severing the connection with the Source of life) fell upon Him who is equal with God.

He took the nature of humans, lived a sinless life, and developed a perfect character in this world. 

Therefore, Christ alone could make atonement for sinners.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, 

to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:25.

The death of Christ is an unanswerable argument to the immutability and the righteousness of the law.

Therefore, humans are free to accept the righteousness of Christ - the holy life He lived and the perfect character He developed as a human.

This is the same righteousness that the law requires.

Moreover, with His grace He builds up the human character after the pattern of the Divine character.

Thus through faith in His power and virtue as the Son of God we may become partakers of the Divine nature.

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,

that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:3, 4.

As many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name: John 1:12.

Thus:

• The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ

• God is just and yet the justifier of all who believe in Jesus.

If we confess our sins

God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.

Through the imputed righteousness of Christ, sinners may:

• Feel that they are pardoned

• Know that the law no longer condemns them, because they are in harmony with all its precepts

• Count themselves innocent.

Moreover, by faith they lay hold of the righteousness of Christ and look to His perfect obedience and death upon Calvary for the sins of the world.

Thus they have the assurance that they are justified by faith in the merit and sacrifice of Christ.

Furthermore, they realize that the law was obeyed on their behalf by the Son of God, and that the penalty of transgression cannot fall upon the believing sinners.

Thus the obedience of Christ clothes them with the righteousness that meets the demands of the law.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17.

We respond with love and gratitude for the dearest price that has been paid and the greatest sacrifice offered for the human’s redemption.

Moreover, by faith we look alone to the Author and finisher of this faith - to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we might be filled with all the foulness of God. Ephesians 3:17.

Who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Thus through the grace of Christ, the fallen humanity could be restored to more than their former dignity and glory, arising in purity and holiness the fallen temple of the Lord.

Calvary’s cross narrative

It tells how Christ has magnified and ma/de honorable the Law of Jehovah. Thus through an understanding of the exalted claims of the law, we come to know the value of Christ.

Moreover, a comprehension of the precepts of truth helps us to appreciate Christ’s rescue mission.

Furthermore, we can’t understand the depth of the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, unless we behold the marvelous character of the Law of Heaven and earth - the law of love.

In the light of that holy law, the sinner sees the Redeemer as He is - full of mercy, compassion, goodness, and love.

Thus by looking to Jesus and contemplating His matchless love to such sinners as we all are, our hearts are filled with gratitude and heavenly peace.

Moreover, a contemplation of the cross of Christ  enables the mind to form correct ideas of the plan of redemption.

Furthermore, the law of God will stand out in clear distinctness before one’s mind.

If we could reach heaven through our own merits and efforts, then Christ need not have come to the world to:

• Endure suffering, reproach, and shame

• Be subjected to humiliation, mockery, insult, and death.

His infinite sacrifice was the only way whereby man could be saved.

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5, 6.

Conclusion

Through the plan of redemption, God can be just, and yet be the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:26. 

Thus the highest honor is paid to the law of love - the law of heaven's government.0

Moreover, yet mercy is freely dispensed to the fallen succeeding generations of Adam down the timeline to Christ's second advent.

Furthermore, whom He justified, them He also glorified. Romans 8:30.

References

1. ST Dec, 1895; YI Nov, 1894; ST Sep, 1892 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)

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