Chapter 24: Of Justification and Adoption

Let us come to the first of these benefits which is our justification; and first tell me what is the meaning of the word to justify?

It does not signify to make an unjust man just by changing his qualities; for then it were all one with sanctification from which it is distinct (1 Corinthians 6:11).

What then does it signify?

To justify is frequently opposed to condemn, and therefore it does properly signify to acquit from blame and punishment.

What is the cause of our justification?

The impulsive cause that moves God to justify a sinner is nothing else but his free grace (Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7).

What is that for which God does justify?

God does not justify us without righteousness; for then how should God be just? But he justifies us by and for a righteousness which is most exact and perfect.

What is that perfect righteousness?

Not our own righteousness in obedience to the law, for that is most imperfect.

What righteousness is it then?

That perfect righteousness whereby we are justified is that righteousness which was wrought by Christ, and inherent in his person (Isaiah 45:24, 25; Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:18, 19).

How comes the righteousness of Christ to be ours, that we may be justified thereby?

God does graciously impute it to us, and faith is the instrument for the receiving of it, that so by it we may be justified.

Open this a little further, how faith is considered when we are said to be justified by faith?

Faith is not considered in justification properly, as if the very act of believing were the matter of our righteousness; neither does it justify as a work or virtue in us by any merit of itself.

Why may not faith be considered in our justification as a work or virtue in us?

Because all works of ours are excluded from being any cause or matter of our justification; and therefore if faith were so considered, it must then be excluded also.

How then is faith considered when we are said to be justified by faith?

Only relatively in respect of the object of it, which is Jesus Christ and his righteousness.

Faith being not considered in our justification properly as a work or virtue in us, it must needs then be considered relatively in respect of Christ the object of it; but how may the truth of this yet further appear?

As the Scripture says we are justified by faith, so it also says Christ is our righteousness, and that we are justified by Christ.

What else may be said for the further clearing of this truth?

Sometimes this phrase, to be justified by faith, is expounded in the words immediately following, to be nothing else but to be justified by Christ (Galatians 2:16, 17).

What are the parts of justification?

Justification is only one benefit of God vouchsafed to believers; but there are two parts thereof inseparably conjoined, namely, forgiveness of sins through the sufferings of Christ, and accounting a man just and righteous through the righteousness of Christ imputed to him.

What is the object of justification, the persons whom God does justify?

Only the elect, being by nature and in themselves sinners and ungodly, but called by grace to be true believers in Christ.

What is Adoption?

An act of God's free grace, whereby the elect being in themselves aliens and strangers from God, are upon their believing in Christ admitted for Christ's sake, on whom they do believe, into the household of God, and to the dignity and privilege of his children.

What are the benefits of this adoption?

By means hereof believers are brethren to Christ Jesus, have title to the heavenly inheritance and have liberty and boldness to make their requests to God, as to a most gracious and loving father, with great assurance to be heard.