Church of God, Carmichael, CA
H. M. Riggle, 1900
[Original Page Numbers]
Justification—"Remission of sin, and absolution from guilt and punishment; or, an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner, and accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of Christ."—Webster.
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."—Acts 13 :38, 39.
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: . . . Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."—Rom. 3 :24, 28.
"Much more, then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."—Rom. 5:9.
"Justification is a work of God wrought in the heart. It is not effected by growth, outward pruning, self culture, or good works which we may do; but by having the blood of Christ applied to the heart. It is received through repentance and faith. In it is comprehended three things— Conversion, Regeneration, Adoption. It is that work of grace which quickens the sinner into spiritual life, remits all his actual transgressions, brings him into divine favor, and gives him peace with God. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." —Rom 5 :1.
All condemnation is removed; and the soul is elevated from the low sensual plane of sin, to a plane of purity, where it is surrounded by a heavenly atmosphere. Such a one has become a "new creation." "Old things [sinful passions and desires] pass away, and, behold, all things become new." A new life begins. This change will be apparent to all. Former habits and practices cease. In fact, justification saves from all [5] outward sin. "Whosoever is born of God, cloth not commit sin."—1 John 3:9. Those who live to the Bible standard of justification "need no repentance." Luke 15:7. "The way of the just is uprightness."—Isa. 26:7. "Such as are upright in their way, are his delight."—Prov. 11:20.
Justification saves from the "love of the world," such as worldly dress, worldly applause, worldly company, worldly pleasures and amusements. The latter includes going to shows, fairs, socials, festivals, Fourth of July picnics, baseball games, etc. I John 2:15 17; James 4:4. It saves from scolding, grumbling, fretting; from saying harsh, cutting words when pressed or in a hurry; from sending 'heated flings' at another. Rom. 8:9. It saves men from driving close bargains. Matt. 7:12. It saves from telling obscene stories, from joking and jesting. Eph. 5:3, 4.
It saves from speaking evil of your neighbors, and of the faults and failings of the brethren and sisters in a way to injure them. It saves from seeing the faults of others quicker than their good qualities. Eph. 4:29 32. It saves from harboring jealousy and bitterness towards another; from getting jealous because your neighbor prospers more than you. S. of Sol. 8:6. It saves from stubbornness; from pouting and wanting to have your own way about things. It will help you to keep patient when reproved, contradicted, and misunderstood. Gal. 5:22, 23. It gives power over unclean habits and practices, and "lusts of the flesh."
The standard of Bible justification is a holy life: a life of growth, and a daily increasing in the fruits of the Spirit. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."—Prov. 4:18.
"But while all actual transgressions are forgiven, and the outward life is pure and holy; yet there remains in the heart an unrighteous nature, the "carnal mind." 1 Cor. 3:1 3. It is sin. 1 John 5:17. Sin in nature; sin as a moral element, or bent to evil. It is sometimes styled the "inherited sin." It is said to be "sin that dwelleth in me." Rom. 7:17. Sin in "motion." Ver. 5. It lusts after things contrary to the Spirit. Gal. 5:17.
The following are some of its manifestations: inward stirrings of anger when things go wrong; harshness; [6] an inward feeling of resentment when rebuked or reproved; a quick, touchy, sensitive spirit, inward feelings of pride when much used of God; an exalted feeling over your good appearance, natural abilities, good training, etc.; a secret fondness of being noticed; drawing attention to self in conversation; a headstrong disposition; a disposition to be discouraged when set aside or unnoticed, a love to be coaxed and humored; a man fearing spirit; selfishness, etc. This causes an inward warfare between the "flesh" and "spirit." It is the dual state of man's experience.
But be it remembered that God gives grace sufficient to enable his children to keep victory, and not give way by committing sin. Yet this inward trouble will often cast shadows of gloom and discouragement over the spiritual sky of the believer. The soul will soon yearn for deliverance, and hunger and thirst for more righteousness.
No sin can enter heaven; none but the pure in heart shall see God; and, "behold, now is the day of salvation." So in this world this evil nature must be removed. Man within himself cannot remove it; death will never remove it: hence it follows conclusively that it can only be removed, or taken out of the heart, by an act of God's free grace. What then is the grace that removes it? [7]