What is justification?

Is justification an act of God?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: It is God that justifieth, (Romans 8:33)

And of his free grace?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Being justified by his grace, we are made heirs, (Titus 3:7)

Doth this grace set aside all merit in the creature?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For if by grace, then it is no more of works, (Romans 11:6)

But does it set aside all merit in Christ?

Answer: No.

Proof: For we are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, (Romans 3:24)

Does justification include in it the forgiveness of sins?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, (Ephesians 1:7)

Is remission of sins an act of power?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: The Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sin, (Matthew 9:6)

And of grace?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, (Hebrews 8:12)

And of justice?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, (1 John 1:9)

Does God forgive sin as a Father?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: I will spare them as a man spareth his son that serveth him, (Malachi 3:17)

And as a sovereign?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity? (Micah 7:18)

Doth he pardon many sins?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Her sins which are many are all forgiven, (Luke 7:47)

And great sins?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Though your sins have been as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, (Isaiah 1:18)

But doth every sin need a pardon?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For if he will contend with us, we cannot answer him one of a thousand, (Job 9:3)

Doth justification include in it the acceptance of our persons?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: He hath made us accepted in the Beloved, (Ephesians 1:6)

And of our services?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: God had respect to Abel and to his offering, (Genesis 4:4)

Doth God look upon justified ones with complacency?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: His countenance doth behold the upright, (Psalm 11:7)

And speak of them with approbation?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee, (Song of Solomon 4:7)

And treat them with intimacy and endearment?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant, (Psalm 25:14)

Were the ceremonial sacrifices insufficient for man’s justification?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For they could not take away sin, (Hebrews 10:14)

And are moral duties as insufficient now?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified, (Galatians 2:16)

Are duties after faith as insufficient as those before?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, (Isaiah 64:6)

Is therefore an attempt to be justified in this way a glaring instance of folly and ignorance?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness go about to establish a righteousness of their own, (Romans 10:3)

And will it issue in utter ruin and destruction?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: This shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow, (Isaiah 50:11)

Are we justified only for the righteousness of Christ?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Not having my own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, (Philippians 3:9)

Did Christ perform what the law required?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: There was no guile found in his mouth, (1 Peter 2:22)

And is this a part of our justifying righteousness?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: By the obedience of one many are made righteous, (Romans 5:19)

Did he suffer what the law threatened?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For he was bruised for our iniquities, (Isaiah 53:5)

And is this the other part of it?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, (Revelation 5:9)

Is this righteousness satisfactory to God?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake, (Isaiah 42:21)

And sufficient for man?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord, (Romans 5:21)

And shall it never be abrogated?

Answer: No.

Proof: My righteousness shall not be abolished, (Isaiah 51:6)

Doth this righteousness become ours by imputation?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: David describeth the blessedness of the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (Romans 4:6)

And does this imputation depend upon any act in the creature?

Answer: No.

Proof: For it is the gift of righteousness, (Romans 5:17)

Must the righteousness of Christ be received as well as imputed?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: We have received the atonement, (Romans 5:11)

And is faith the instrument of receiving it?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: God hath set forth Christ to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, (Romans 3:25)

Is justification the less of grace because it is through faith?

Answer: No.

Proof: Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, (Romans 4:16)

Doth this doctrine glorify the divine wisdom?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Herein God hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence, (Ephesians 1:8)

And magnify the divine goodness?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins, (1 John 4:10)

Doth it contribute to the comfort of afflicted consciences?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: For being justified by faith, we have peace with God, (Romans 5:1)

And to destroy pride and vain glory?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith, (Romans 3:27)

Is it a powerful motive to holiness and practical religion?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: It is a doctrine according to godliness, (1 Timothy 6:3)

And an everlasting foundation for thankfulness and praise?

Answer: Yes.

Proof: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, (Isaiah 61:10)