Larger Catechism – Day 34 of Lent
Question 72: What
is justifying faith?
Answer: Justifying faith is a saving grace that works in the hearts of
sinners by the Spirit and the word of God.
By it sinners are convinced of their sinfulness and miserable condition
and realize that neither they nor anyone or anything else can get them out of
that lost condition, and by it they give full assent to the truth of the gospel
promise; they receive and rest on Christ and his righteousness for pardon from
sin, as the gospel tells us, and for being accepted and accounted as righteous
in the sight of God for salvation.
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, God gives people the faith
that leads to regeneration. Today’s
question seeks to clarify the steps that happen in justifying faith.
The steps are:
1.
The
sinner is convinced of their sinfulness and condition that is “miserable,”
realizing that they are totally lost.
2.
The
sinner realizes that no one, not even themselves, can get them out of the
condition.
3.
The
justifying faith then has the sinner give “full ascent” to the promise of the
gospel concerning new life in Christ.
4.
The
sinner then receives Christ and forgiveness of sins.
5.
God
then sees the sinner as “righteous” and grants salvation.
Justifying faith is very different than a “faith” that yields no
change in who is in control of one’s life.
Believing that Jesus walked on the earth is not necessarily justifying
faith. Believing that Jesus had a
spiritual resurrection on Easter morning is not justifying faith.
Justifying faith is when the Holy Spirit get hold of a person,
the person sees how totally lost they are, the person then totally yields the
ownership of their life to Christ because of the truth and promises of the Bible,
the person then receives forgiveness for sins and new life.
Justifying faith is truly a miraculous kind of faith.
Note: There will be no blog post tomorrow. Sunday's are a day for worship and are not a part of the forty days of Lent. Have a great time in worship!
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