Justification: Resting upon the obedience of Christ alone
Rev. Justin Smidstra expounds the doctrine of justification as God's forensic declaration of righteousness through faith in Christ alone, emphasizing that believers are acquitted of guilt and accounted righteous through the imputation of Christ's perfect obedience rather than their own merit. Drawing on Martin Luther's insight from Romans 1:17 and John Calvin's assessment of justification as the hinge of religion, this article presents justification as the foundational answer to humanity's most pressing spiritual question and the central truth recovered by the Protestant Reformation.
Rev. Justin Smidstra, pastor of First Protestant Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan What is the most important question in the whole world? It is the question that tormented Martin Luther until he discovered its answer in Romans 1:17. This question will cast you about upon the waves of dread and doubt unless you have the same answer Luther found. When you embrace it by faith, you enjoy peace and happiness that cannot be taken away. The all-important question is this: How can I, an unworthy...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org