Westminster Larger Catechism # 73
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q73. How doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God?
Answer: Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces
which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it, nor as if the
graces of faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to him for his justification, but only
as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousness.
References: Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:5; Rom. 3:28; Rom. 10:10; John 1:12; Phil. 3:9; Gal.
1:16.
The Divines went to extremes to show that justification was of faith alone, and not as
a result of the actions (works) or other graces (gifts of God) that will accompany saving
faith. The Divines went to great lengths in the previous question to distinguish saving
faith, but here have used the word faith with the understanding it is saving faith and the
gift of God.
My spirit cringed a little as I read "but only as an instrument by which he
receiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousness." The sinner doesn’t receive
and apply Christ and His righteousness by any overt action. Though this may be splitting
hairs so to speak, I feel it is important that we realize we had absolutely nothing to do
with our own salvation. It is not as if some can take the faith given of God and apply it
and others cannot or do not.
It is the righteousness of Christ that is applied, and that by the work of the Holy
Spirit, not of man. As noted by the Divines in this question other means of grace, and
actions will follow, but are no part of how God justifies sinners in His sight. Even these
actions (good works) were created by God for His elect to walk in before the foundation of
the earth (Eph. 2:10).
My immediate response as to how we are justified in the sight of God by faith is that
God said so. I am not sure that we can really improve on that, but many may claim that
begs the question. I have searched for an earthly example to use here. However none really
cover things exactly as it is concerning justification. The closest thing we have using
like terms are legal terms whereby a police officer is declared righteous and his use of
deadly force "justified." In this example the law of the land has found him
justified. This doesn’t deny the use of deadly force, but says it is justified and
the person is absolved of any legal responsibilities resulting thereof.
The next is where the governor of a state may "pardon" someone sentenced to
death despite the evidence and rulings of all other courts. In justification God acts
somewhat like both of these, but with an additional element. God knows we are guilty and
in the case of the police officer and deadly force, we would be found unrighteous and
subject to penalty. In the pardon of the governor, he acted without regard to guilt and
granted pardon. Justification by God is similar in that we are guilty and He pardons
anyway. However, the records of the human courts are still lying open for all to see, and
though pardoned, the governor has the record before him. In God’s justification the
righteousness of Christ is used to cover that record and in the heavenly courts, none can
lift this covering, it is as if the crime never happened and you stand righteous before
God, for God does not see the flesh and the sins thereof, having accepted the work of
Christ in full payment thereof, God sees in us His Son Jesus Christ the Righteous standing
before Him. Jesus Christ is our righteousness. This righteousness is imputed to us because
He took our place and acted as our substitute before the Supreme Judge of the Universe. As
noted earlier in this commentary, this is known as the federal system and whereby Adam as
a public figure and the representative of all his posterity had his sins imputed to them,
Christ as the perfect sacrifice paid the price and the righteousness of Christ is imputed
to the elect for whom He suffered.
I think perhaps we need understand the penalty and payment of our sins at this point.
The Bible tells us the wages of sin are death. This refers to the second death or eternal
separation from God. It is this second death and our standing in that final court where
this imputed righteousness will be perfectly manifest. Until then we need the constant
mediator, Jesus Christ continually beside the Father; for we all continue to sin in the
flesh in both thought and deed. Nonetheless there is also a present price to be paid for
sin that we are want to understand or even investigate. The justification of God clears us
before the ultimate Judge in that final court, however the price of sin now is paid in
human misery. All of creation has been under the curse of God because of sin and continues
to groan until that day the sons of God are made manifest. Add to this the constant misery
inflicted upon self and others because of our continuing sin here. I would submit there is
no problem or suffering in all the history of humanity that cannot be directly laid at the
feet of the father of sin and is workings in not only the children of wrath but God’s
own elect. It is here we find the awesome forces of nature that literally shake the whole
earth, for without sin, the flood would not have been, and the perfect conditions of the
garden would exist. Until after the flood the Bible speaks of the extremely long life of
natural man, even existing under the curse. Afterwards the longevity of man rapidly
diminishes until today in many parts of the world 50 is an elderly person. Before the
flood we would have not seen droughts and famines, for it didn’t rain. All this and
we have not touched on the personal misery sin inflicts to those around us. I would be
amiss to not point out here that all sin is against God. David saw this fact and cried
these very words in prayer asking for forgiveness. I may involve and even hurt you in my
sin, but by definition, sin is against God.
Often we are contrite and of heavy heart when we realize what our actions have wrought
in the life of another. This is as it should be, and we should actively seek the
forgiveness of our brothers. However we need to also realize that all sin has this
two-fold existence, and we need not only repent and seek forgiveness of those wronged
here, but more especially we turn to God with a contrite heart, knowing that in the
turning we have His forgiveness.
Justified? Yes, and that eternally! Innocent? Hardly! Sanctification comes later, but
it will not be complete in its manifestation this side of heaven. For this reason we are
told to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling and when we judge, to remember
mercy for our own sake. We are commanded to examine ourselves, lest some secret sin befoul
the temple of the Holy Spirit. How complex the world of sin. How simple God’s plan
for His children.
We can twist and turn the how of God’s seeing us as righteous by faith until that
faithful day arrives. I am not sure we can ever penetrate deep enough within the mystery
of God to fully understand it. However we can rest confidently upon His revealed word, and
know that our position before that court is "justified." Let us then heed the
Scriptures that repeatedly declare, "The just shall live by faith."
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- August 1998
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