TO BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW depended on the extent of work man strived for

with his body. Without abiding by the law he could not be reckoned as having faith

in God. As St James the Apostle says that any one who errs in one point of the law

is guilty of all1. Therefore the weight of acting in accordance to the law surpassed man’s

capacity, as in the Old Testament it was esteemed no righteous man existed: “There is

none righteous, no, not one.”2 As the Apostle Paul says: “For God has committed them all

to disobedience.”3Thus the door of salvation was closed in man’s face.

Christ’s coming, His fulfillment of salvation with His blood on the cross was

therefore like the opening of the door of salvation without cost, ceasing the effect of

following the law, nay its complete annulment. God’s grace descended on any man who

believed in Christ’s death and resurrection replacing the effect of the law.

The propitiation through the blood of Christ removed from man his sins all at once. It

is no more reckoned that man be required to strive against sin, because the propitiating

blood of Christ’s sacrifice includes man. Through this blood he who believes in it is thus

considered righteous and that without effort or work. Because he has not become

righteous through himself but righteous through Christ and in Christ, after those who

were righteous through the law could only attain it after a terrific effort and the whole

effect of the law. The man who believes in Christ is consequently reckoned before God

a saint and without blame with all the previous sins he has done through ignorance and

without knowledge erased. Thus God appears as the benefactor, patient, tolerant with

the sinner until he gains his salvation through the righteousness of His only Son Jesus

Christ, through faith in His blood which qualifies him according to the action of God’s

grace to become a partner in the death and resurrection of Christ. Because fellowship

with Christ through faith qualifies us for His inheritance in Glory.

We are required to accept through faith this surpassing grace when our hearts are

elevated to the revelation of Christ’s abundance. Then Christ’s abundance is not alien to

us but is given to every heart open to Christ’s work. We must remind the reader Christ’s

words: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the

 

door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”4 Therefore our greatest

concern has become that of hearing Christ’s voice as He knocks at our hearts. There is

no excuse for the person who is heedless of salvation because Christ is always ready to

hear and answer, as inspired in the Old Testament: “The Lord is with you while you are

with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will

forsake you.”5 Also inspired in the New Testament are the words: “In an acceptable time

I have heard you. And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”6 Maybe it is also your

time dear reader and the day of your salvation. So do not let the time be counted against

you instead of for you, with salvation escaping you. The Lord calls you: “Come to Me,

all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”7

Prayer

I have no righteousness O Lord for You are my righteousness, and the pride of my life.

You sprinkled me with Your blood that I may become clean, and my sins hidden

from You. You atoned for my sin with Your blood and redeemed me with Your cross.

So what can I give You O Lord? Here is my self, take it, sanctify it to You. My spirit I

place in Your hands while awaiting the day of Your revelation so as to appear with You.

I have faith in You O Lord, so let me be captivated in Your love.

Nothing in the world do I desire; for You are the desire of my heart.

July 6, 2005

1 Note Jas 2:10.

2 Rom 3:10.

3 Rom 11:32.

 4 Rev 3:20.

5 2Ch 15:2.

6 2Cor 6:2.

7 Matt 11:28.

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