Essence; Ground; Method

In this part of the sermon: The sermon transitions to the essence of justification, defining it as an instantaneous act of God, not a process. This act comprises two distinct blessings: the pardon of all…

This analogy describes the instantaneous shift from being under divine judgment (awful canopy, flashing lightning) to being under God's favor (clear blue sky, reconciled countenance) at the moment of justification.

He went down to his house justified. So then, there is a moment when a man or a woman comes out from under the awful canopy of divine judgment and wrath. Into the smile and favor of God. When the law comes to the man in the power of the spirit.

6:50 - 7:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: justification is something more than mere pardon. But it also involves it as though we kept the law. And were entitled to everything that a perfect law keeper is entitled to.

This analogy distinguishes mere pardon from justification. A judge pardoning a man does not obligate him to adopt the man as his son or make him an heir, illustrating that justification offers more than just forgiveness; it offers full acceptance and adoption into God's family.

And were entitled to everything that a perfect law keeper is entitled to. When a man is pardoned. He is no longer liable to penalty. But the judge who pardons a man.

9:38 - 9:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not undo God's past work because of his present grace to show you all that he did for you back then.

Martin shares his personal experience of discovering the depth of justification years after his conversion, likening it to a 'second conversion' and cautioning listeners not to undo God's past work due to present ignorance.

Second Corinthians chapter five if you will please. Second Corinthians chapter five. May I just pause for a moment to say. Let some be discouraged.

10:36 - 10:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin provides biblical warrant for the two-fold essence of justification, drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Romans 4:6-8, Romans 5:19, Acts 13:39, Acts 26:18, and Romans…

This analogy clarifies the difference between non-imputation of sin (negative) and imputation of righteousness (positive). Saying 'I no longer accuse you of a crime' is different from saying 'I now attribute this virtue to you,' highlighting the two distinct aspects of justification.

Non imputation is negative. For me to say. I no longer accuse you of a crime is one thing. For me to say.

12:45 - 12:52 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin provides biblical warrant for the two-fold essence of justification, drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Romans 4:6-8, Romans 5:19, Acts 13:39, Acts 26:18, and Romans…

This analogy illustrates imputation by comparing it to a ledger. God not only cancels the believer's debt to the law (clearing the ledger) but also puts Christ's perfect obedience into their account (filling the ledger).

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Yea. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes righteousness. Sing the ledger.

14:33 - 14:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not dishonor God by unbelief that fails to rise to the heights that biblical data warns us to rise, but pray with power strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man that you may be able to comprehend, to lay…

Martin quotes William S. Plummer, who states that for angels, 'innocence is a sweet word,' but for sinners, 'forgiveness and acceptance are sweet words,' emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's pardon for all sins.

to be able to glory in these great gospel privileges that are ours in Christ Jesus. Then the essence of justification is it is an act of God whereby He pardoneth all and accepteth us as in His sight. As Mr. Plummer says in his excellent sermon on this subject, several sermons in his book, The Grace of Christ, William S. Plummer, for angels, Mr. Plummer says, innocence is a sweet word, but for sinners forgiveness and acceptance are sweet words. He goes on to say when God pardons, He pardons all sins, original sin, actual sins, sins of omission and commission, secret and open sins, sins of thoug...

20:39 - 21:44 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand clearly and preach clearly this concept of the word of God regarding the ground of justification.

Martin quotes Robert L. Dabney, who asserts that 'as is our conception of the immediate ground of justification, such will be our conception of its nature,' underscoring the critical importance of understanding the ground of justification.

As is our conception of the immediate ground of justification, such will be our conception of its nature. This proposition will be found necessarily decisive of every man's scheme of justification, be what it may. If the ground of our justification is absolute and infinite, even the righteousness of Jesus Christ, it will also be an act complete and absolute, equal in all justified persons. Let me say particularly to you preachers here, you men aspiring to the ministry, as one studies the history of this doctrine, he's made aware of the fact that this is perhaps the most crucial thing. Upon wha...

24:00 - 25:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Let the reality of death and judgment begin to loom big in your mind and you start taking seriously your sins and you start letting your mind as it were like a computer scanning all of the information scan your life and …

This story illustrates Christ's full satisfaction. A convicted criminal begs for mercy, but the judge, instead of relaxing the law, 'delivers him up' to the full punishment, representing God delivering Christ to bear the full penalty of the law.

delivered him up to what but what here's the criminal who stands before the bar of justice and his guilt is established by competent witnesses the statute books are opened and this particular crime of which he's been convicted by the judge and as the judge is about to read the punishment he falls upon his face and he cries out oh judge that there will be a relaxing of the just demands of the law the scripture says he spared him and the opposite of sparing was delivering him up put him up

41:38 - 42:57 Read in full sermon

The point: Let the reality of death and judgment begin to loom big in your mind and you start taking seriously your sins and you start letting your mind as it were like a computer scanning all of the information scan your life and …

Martin quotes a hymn that vividly describes Christ draining the 'bitter cup' of God's wrath and curse, leaving 'blessings draft' for believers, illustrating Christ's full satisfaction and the peace it brings.

acquaintance with the holiness and the majesty and the justice of God, to welcome death and speak of sweet death. In the words of that anthem that I heard many years ago that comes back again and again, thou hast made death glorious and triumphant, for through its portals we enter into the presence, and we can enter with confidence. Why? Because the Lord Jesus has drained the last of all the anger and wrath of God against his people. Christ, what burdens bowed thy head, our load was laid on thee. Thou stoodest in the sinner's stead, despair, all ill for me. Death and the curse were in our cup....

45:51 - 46:46 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon then turns to the method of justification, which is imputation. Martin explains that imputation means God credits Christ's perfect righteousness to the believer's…

This analogy explains the meaning of 'impute' as crediting something to someone's account, even if it's not their own, clarifying how God credits Christ's righteousness to believers.

But it's the word reckon all the way through. Or the word impute all the way through. Now what does the word impute mean? It means to credit something to someone.

50:45 - 50:54 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin emphasizes that justification is 'received by faith alone,' citing numerous biblical passages to support this. He clarifies that faith is not a work but the instrumental…

This analogy explains why faith alone is the instrumental means of justification. A beggar uses his hand to receive bread, not his mouth or feet, illustrating that faith is the specific grace for receiving Christ, though other graces are present.

Well for the simple reason that sin is the only stretch received or offered in the Gospel. The beggar who reaches out his hand to receive the bread offered is saying his mouth is not needed for health and life. His feet are not needed. But we are saying the instrumental means of receiving the bread by which he is fed is his hand.

56:25 - 57:06 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He concludes by illustrating that justification is by faith, whether weak or strong, emphasizing that the virtue lies in Christ, the source, not in the strength of one's grip. He…

Dabney's illustration describes a community afflicted by a deadly malady, where people are cured by touching a special machine. Whether they touch it with great strength or barely reach out, the cure is instantaneous and complete, demonstrating that the virtue is in the source (Christ), not the strength of one's faith.

And then my closing point is this. It is by faith, weak or strong, that we are justified. Dabney has a beautiful illustration, and I share it with you. Suppose a certain community was all afflicted with a deadly malady.

62:47 - 63:04 Read in full sermon