manifest justice of grace

In the gospel we are no longer justified by law (obedience and righteous living) but by the free flowing grace of Jesus Christ. This is true not only for the receiving of salvation, but even more so the continuation of our spiritual journey in Christ. It is therefore a denial of the word and will of God to say faith in grace is right, but that one must also heed the justice of God (law) by personal holiness.

Romans 3:23-28 (NIV) says, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. He did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law."

The Scripture plainly says in this and all context: grace IS our justification. God's just righteousness is demonstrated by the atonement of grace, and we are only to receive justification by faith in His shed blood, not just in the forgiveness of past sins, but the washing away imputation of sin (and punishment thereof) in the continual present (and forever); and that so long as we hold on to faith in only being justified by grace no condemnation of sin shall come upon our hearts -- even still in sin. And in such the temptation of sin shall lose its grip on our souls.

Is this making light of sin? Certainly not! But it is the wisdom of God to confound the "wise" that through forgiveness of sin is the power over sin. And faith is released even against man's common sense that when our eyes are upon the grace and truth of Jesus Christ holiness is ours by the spirit alive inside; but woe to those remain in fear of sinning (and pride in obedience), for by observing the law is their faith made void, and no more justified freely by His grace but only the curse of the law from which the bondage there is no escape!

True right living only comes by right believing (faith in the truth of the gospel). We all should live righteously -- but not by the demand of justice in observing the law -- but the indwelling holy spirit invited by faith. So then no more reminders of God's Old Testament blood justice but only the preaching of eternal forgiveness by the new blood of Jesus Christ, and conviction of righteousness by the holy spirit to live out not ours, but His life of everlasting grace! Amen

James