J.C. Ryle on a Sinner's Justification Before God

"Christ is all in a sinner's justification before God.  Through Him alone we can have peace with a holy God.  By Him alone we can have admission into the presence of the Most High, and stand there without fear.  'We have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.'  In Him alone can God be just, and justify the ungodly (Eph. 3:12; Rom. 3:26).

"With which can any mortal man come before God?  What can we bring as a plea for acquittal before that glorious Being, in whose eyes the very heavens are not clean?

"Shall we say that we have done our duty to God?  Shall we say that we have done our duty to our neighbor?  Shall we bring forward our prayers, our regularity, our morality, our amendments, our churchgoing?  Shall we ask to be accepted because of any of these?

"Which of these things will stand the searching inspection of God's eye?  Which of them will actually justify us?  Which of them will carry us clear through judgment and land us safe in glory?

"None, none, none!  Take any commandment of the ten, and let us examine ourselves by it.  We have broken it repeatedly.  We cannot answer God one of thousand.  Take any of us, and look narrowly into our ways, and we are nothing but sinners.  There is but one verdict; we are all guilty, all deserve hell, all ought to die.  With which can we come before God?

"We must come in the name of Jesus, standing on no other ground, passing no other plea than this: "Christ died on the cross for the ungodly, and I trust in Him.  Christ died for me, and I believe on Him.'  The garment of our Elder Brother, the righteousness of Christ, this is the only robe which can cover us, and enable us to stand in the light of heaven without shame.

"The name of Jesus is the only name by which we shall obtain an entrance through the gate of eternal glory.  If we come to that gate in our own names, we are lost, we shall not be admitted, we shall knock in vain.  If we come in the name of Jesus, it is a passport and shibboleth, and we shall enter and live.

"The mark of the blood of Christ is the only mark that can save us from destruction.  When the angels are separating the children of Adam in the last day, if we are not found marked with that atoning blood, we had better never have been born.

"Oh, let us never forget that Christ must be all to that soul who would be justified!  We must be content to go to heaven as beggars, saved by free grace, simply as believers in Jesus, or we shall never be saved at all" (Holiness, J.C. Ryle).

J.C. Ryle: If We Are Thirsty We Must Have Simple Faith

"He that thirsts and wants to come to Christ must remember that simple faith is the one thing required.  By all means let him come with a penitent, broken and contrite heart; but let him not dream of resting on that for acceptance.  Faith is the only hand that can carry the living water to our lips.  Faith is the hinge on which all turns in the matter of our justification.  It is written again and again that 'whoever believes shall not perish, but have eternal life' (John 3:15,16).  'To him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness' (Rom. 4:5).  Happy is he that can lay hold on the principle laid down in that matchless hymn:

     'Just as I am, without one plea,
     Save that Your blood was shed for me,
     And that You bid'st me come to You,
     O Lamb of God, I come!'"

J.C. Ryle: The Remedy for Thirsty Men

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

(John 7:37-38)

"'If any man thirst,' says our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, 'let him come to me, and drink.'

"For what is the sum and substance of these simple words?  It is this.  Christ is that Fountain of living water which God has graciously provided for thirsting souls.  From Him, as out of the rock smitten by Moses, there flows an abundant stream for all who travel through the wilderness of this world.  In Him, as our Redeemer and Substitute, crucified for our sins and raised again for our justification, there is an endless supply of all that men can need: pardon, absolution, mercy, grace, peace, rest, relief, comfort, and hope.

"This rich provision Christ has bought for us at the price of His own precious blood.  To open this wondrous fountain He suffered for sin, the just of the unjust, and bore our sins in His own body on the tree.  He was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:21).  And now He is sealed and appointed to be the Reliever of all who are laboring and heavy laden, and the Giver of living water to all who thirst.  It is His office to receive sinners.  It is His pleasure to given them pardon, life, and peace.  And the words of the text are a proclamation He makes to all mankind, 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.'"  (Holiness, J.C. Ryle)

J.C. Ryle: To Have No Heart-Faith is to be Without Christ

There are disciples of Christ who refuse to judge whether those around them are true believers of Jesus Christ.  Their fear of hurting others, receiving backlash, or even severing friendships with such individuals prevents them from seeing the spiritual condition of so many, even within the walls of the church.  With "Who am I to judge!" as their mantra, a lack of understanding of the Word of God and a fear of man is revealed.

These words of J.C. Ryle are as true today as they were one hundred years ago.  Let them sink in and may the true church of Jesus Christ stand firmly on the foundation of Christ, speaking the truth of the gospel message, and calling everyone (including many within our own churches) to KNOW Christ with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.

"A man is 'without Christ' when he has no heart-faith in Him as his Savior.  It is quite possible to know all about Christ, and yet not to put our trust in Him.  There are multitudes who know every article of the belief, and can tell you glibly that Christ was 'born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.'  They learned it at school.  They have it sticking fast in their memories.  But they make no practical use of their knowledge.  They put their trust in something which is not Christ.  They hope to go to heaven because they are moral and well-conducted, because they say their prayers and go to church, because they have been baptized and go the Lord's table.  But as to a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ - a real, intelligent confidence in Christ's blood and righteousness and intercession - they are things of which they know nothing at all.  And of all such people I can see but one true account.  They are 'without Christ.'

"I am aware that many do not admit the truth of what I have just said.  Some tell us that all baptized people are members of Christ by virtue of their baptism.  Others tell us that where there is a head knowledge we have no right to question a person's interest in Christ.  To these views I have only one plain answer.  The Bible forbids us to say that any man is joined to Christ until he believes.  Baptism is no proof that we are joined to Christ.  Simon Magus was baptized, and yet was distinctly told that he had 'no part or lot in this matter' (Acts 8:21).  Head-knowledge is no proof that we are joined to Christ.  The devils know Christ well enough, but have no portion in Him.  God knows, no doubt, who are His from all eternity.  But man knows nothing of anyone's justification until he believes.  The grand question is: 'Do we believe?'  It is written, 'He that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.'  'He that believes not shall be damned' (John 3:36; Mark 16:16).  If Bible words mean anything, to be without faith is to be 'without Christ'" (Holiness, J.C. Ryle).

Justified by Faith that Works

He was asked to do a horrific thing: take a life.  But not just any life.  The life of his own son.  Who would ask someone to do such an appalling act?  And even more, who would follow through on such a request and then be considered a great man for even considering such an act?

She was shocked as two men barged into her home one evening.  They were running from the authorities and needed a place to hide.  She didn’t hesitate once she found out their identity.  She willingly hid them, not only keeping them out of prison but saving their lives in the process.  Who would do such a thing for perfect strangers and then be considered a great woman for going against the authority of her home town?

These are two stories which are very familiar to those of us who have a church background.  We know the stories of Abraham and Rahab.  But James takes these two stories in a very different, and at times very uncomfortable, direction for us.  He claims that these two well-known Biblical figures were justified by their works.  But what about Paul’s words that Abraham was justified by faith alone?  Are these two great Biblical teachers contradicting one another?  What does this conversation have to do with me and my faith?

This week we will explore James 2:20-26 to discover that James and Paul to not disagree.  They are only saying the same thing in a different way.  In fact, these two great Biblical figures complement one another.  Join us this week as we study God’s Word and praise His great name together.

James: an Introduction

In 1517, Martin Luther literally shocked the entire religious world by writing ninety-five declarations regarding baptism and forgiveness of sins.  Thus was the beginning of the Reformation Movement where the church split into Protestant and Catholic.  Martin Luther challenged the thoughts of faith, religion, and salvation during his time and ours.  In fact, he was so adamant about salvation through faith alone that it affected his reading of some of the book of Scripture that had been included in the Bible for centuries.

The book of James was such an area where Luther had his issues.  He felt that the book of James was good for Christian teaching but was not inspired scripture.  Below are two translated quotes from around 1530.

The book of James “is flatly against St. Paul and all the rest of Scripture in ascribing justification to works” and “its purpose is to teach Christians, but in all this long teaching it does not once mention the Passion, the resurrection, or the Spirit of Christ.”

Luther certainly makes some good points, but is he right?  Does James really not talk about the salvation of Christ?  Does James talk about salvation by works and not faith alone?  Is what is found in the book of James mainly good for teaching Christian living?  How should this affect our own reading of James and the rest of Scripture?

One of the issues that arose in Luther’s time had to do with his desire to translate the Bible into the language of the people.  This was so that the common believer could read the truth of God’s Words for themselves.  So let us study God’s Word for ourselves by opening the book of James together.  This Sunday will be a simple introduction to the book of James but though simple may still be deeply relevant to us as believers today.  As we make our way through James may God open His truth to us as His Church and apply that truth to our lives.  May we be prayerfully prepared to have the Holy Spirit move in our hearts and lives through His Word.

No One Is Righteous - Yes, That Means You

Romans 3:10-18 (ESV) ¹⁰ “None is righteous, no, not one; ¹¹ no one understands; no one seeks for God. ¹² All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” ¹³ “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” ¹⁴ “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” ¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ¹⁶ in their paths are ruin and misery, ¹⁷ and the way of peace they have not known.” ¹⁸ “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Last night at our Wednesday night Bible Study we focused on Habakkuk 2:18-20 where God warns the Babylonians of their coming judgment and how their idols will not save them.  We were reminded of our own lives and the idols that we create only to have them fail.  In those moments we are not seeking God, but thanks be to His mercy and grace and salvation that those moments hopefully do not last long.

But Paul reminds us that with no understanding of God and no fear of him or desire to seek him we are bound my our unrighteousness.  We have no way of being justified in his sight.  The idols we bow down to cannot save us.  They are but speechless, breathless created things that in the end, when we desperately need divine intervention, only remain silent before us.  Then we are utterly alone.

It is a good reminder that through Christ we are made righteous.  Through Christ we are justified in his sight.  Through Christ does redemption come.

Praise be to God.

His Grace is Sufficient

Genesis 15:6 (ESV)

^"And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

This verse has such a rich, deep, and profound meaning for the elect today.  Abram believed God's promises and God counted him righteous not because he was circumcised, not because he earned it, and not because he deserved it.  Abram was righteous because God proclaimed him so.  God bestowed His grace upon his servant and he was justified because of it.

After I spoke on this passage last Sunday morning a very trusted friend gave me a definition of grace.  Grace can be literally defined as God's ability.  When God tells us that His grace is sufficient for us He is telling us that His ability is sufficient no matter the circumstance.  I wholeheartedly agree, but I believe there is a deeper understanding to His grace.

My children are not perfect.  In fact, they tend to drive their mother and I crazy at times.  When they disobey, the consequence for their actions is losing a specific privilege.  But there are times when we decide to give grace.  (My son has even been known to ask for grace when he has gotten in trouble.)  We do this purposely to teach him the truth of God's grace.  When we give grace to our children it isn't because they deserve it or earned it.  We give grace because we love our children and desire to teach them about God's character.

God gives us His grace not because we deserve it, but because He is God, loves His children, and places His grace upon whom he wishes.  What was true for Abram thousands of years ago is still true today for the children of God.  His grace is sufficient for me.  And praise God I don't have to earn it.

Orignal Sin or Not?

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Psalm 51:5 (ESV)

Today I read an article by Kelly M. Kapic called Simul Iustus et Peccator. Don't ask me what it means. I'm a little rusty on my Latin. In this article, though, he discusses the debate of original sin between Pelagius and Augustine. 

Here are the basics of the debate.  Pelagius was "apparently frustrated by the lackadaisical ethical attitudes he saw around him" and began to write about the importance of unbending moral behavior.  While arguing this point he went as far as to say there was no original sin found in us.  We are not born with sin.  Instead, "we sin when we show inadequate willpower and give in to the seductive situations." 

Augustine saw a major problem with this stance because scripture is saturated with passages similar to Psalm  51:5 above.  One major issue Augustine had with Pelagius' teachings was "that he had no satisfying explanation for the real continuing struggle that believers have with sin in their lives."  In other words, we sin because we are just not trying hard enough not to sin and Augustine could not stand for that.

So, I bring in a famous question by a well-known doctor: How's that been working for you?  Not well, I'm assuming.  Our sin problem is very deep and very personal.  In fact, who in their right mind wants to admit their deep sinfulness.  No one wants to be known as a "bad person" because we think we are overall "good people."  We don't just sin every once in a while, though.  We sin all the time.  Or as Kapic puts it, "our problem is that we are soaked in sin, are born into it, and are never completely free from its presence this side of glory."

We cannot forget the cross.  The cross holds more significance than our salvation.  It's significance goes far beyond a one-time usage.  The cross is a daily guide for His children.  I'll close with Kapic's final sentence.  "[W]hile we continue to struggle with sin, we also find hope and comfort as we lift our eyes to the cross and keep walking."

Paul, James, or Both

"You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. . . You see that a person is justified b what he does and not b faith alone." (James 2:20-22,24; NIV)

I have always loved the book of James. I have heard others say that it is contrary to the writings of Paul, but we should all know and believe that the Bible does not contradict itself. So, how do we reconcile James with Paul's statement in Romans 3:28. "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law"(ESV). Paul is not dismissing the work of the law in us, but it seems that Paul is dismissing the work of the law in justifying us.

So, maybe we need to be understand what justification really is. The Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms by Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (please don't hold it against me that I own a Stan Grenz book) states that justification is a legal term related to the idea of acquittal. It "refers to the divine act whereby God makes humans, who are sinful and therefore worthy of condemnation, acceptable before a God who is holy and righteous." A sinner is justified and brought into relationship with God by faith in God's grace alone.

James does say that faith without deeds (or works) is pretty much a dead faith. "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show my faith by what I do" (James 2:18b; NIV). So why does he then make the statement that justification is not by faith alone but also by what he does.

My desire is not to just accept his words without understanding them more. James wrote those words for a reason and I want to know that reason. But his statement in James 2:24 seems to contradict our and Paul's understanding of justification. Please, tell me what you think. Are we only fully justified by our works?