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"Being justified FREELY by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).
Let us give these weighty words a hearing:
By His grace.
THROUGH the redemption
Being Justified FREELY
that is in Christ Jesus.
It is evident at once that though free to us, it was not procured without cost. But first of all, what is justification?
(1)
Justification is the act of God alone.
"It is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith" (Rom. 3:30).
(2)
Justification is a righteous as well as a merciful act of God.
"To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in
Jesus" (Rom. 3:26).
(3)
Justification is not based on any good quality in man.
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for
righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).
(4)
Justification is based upon the sacrifice of Christ.
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested ... even the righteousness of God which is by
faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" (Rom. 3:21,22).
"Who was delivered for (because) of our offences, and was raised again for (because) of our justification" (Rom.
4:25).
"Being now justified by His blood" (Rom. 5:9).
This marvellous acquittal is free. If that man is a fool who would refuse to breathe because he was not allowed
by God to be independent and pay for it, what kind of man are you my reader? Are you offended because the gospel
is free? Have you turned away like Naaman saying, "But I thought" this or that? Let us learn at once that this
Gospel if free, because no man living can afford the price of redemption.
"They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any
means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is costly, and
must be let alone for ever:)" (Psa. 49:6-8 R.V.).
This free salvation is said to be "by grace". What is the meaning of grace?
(1)
Grace is a gift.
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man
should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9).
(2)
Grace can be neither wages nor debt.
"If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace" (Rom. 11:6).
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt" (Rom. 4:4).
(3)
Grace is opposed to any sort of legalism.
"If they which are the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect ... therefore it is of
faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure" (Rom. 4:14-16).
(4)
Grace is the title of the gospel.
"To testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).