Round the Sphere Again: Justification

Just As If
“Covered in his seamless righteousness, Jesus’ perfect obedience becomes ours (Jared Wilson).” 

Not My Own
I spent part of today listening to this (Phil Johnson).

Have you ever thought about the question, “How was that publican justified?” Jesus specifically says, “He went down to his house justified.” What justified him? I’ll tell you. There’s only one possible answer. Her received a righteousness that was not his own. It was an alien righteousness. It came to him from an external source. Just like, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” That is the righteousness which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God which depends on faith. That is the only ground on which any of us can ever stand before God. We can’t engineer a sufficient righteousness of our own. If Saul of Tarsus couldn’t do it, you and I for sure can’t. And that is exactly what Scripture tells us over and over again. We must seek a righteousness that is not our own, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

It’s impossible to grow tired of hearing the good news of imputed righteousness. Really.