Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:10,11
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
H. A. IRONSIDE (1876-1951): In the 16th century, God raised up Martin Luther to sound, with clarion voice, the battle-cry of the Reformation, “The just shall live by faith!”
A. W. PINK (1886-1952): Luther taught in no uncertain terms that sinners are justified by faith, and not by works.
MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546): This doctrine is the head and the cornerstone. It alone begets, nourishes, builds, preserves, and defends the church of God; and without it the church of God cannot exist for one hour.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): It was because Luther was led by God to proclaim that doctrine of justification by faith that we received the Protestant Reformation.
H. A. IRONSIDE: And it is the touchstone of every system since, that professes to be of God. If wrong here, they are bound to be wrong throughout. It is impossible to understand the gospel if this basic principle be misunderstood or denied: Justification by faith alone is the test of orthodoxy.
C. H. SPURGEON: Luther said that it was so difficult to get the doctrine of justification by faith into the minds of the Wittenbergers that he had half a mind to take the Bible and beat them over the head with it!
JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): Though volumes have been written upon the subject, I think it may be explained in few words. Every one must give an account of himself to God; and the judgment will proceed according to the tenor of His holy word: “By the law no flesh can be justified, for all have sinned,” Romans 3:19,20. But they who believe the Gospel will be “justified from all things,” Acts 13:39, for which the law would otherwise condemn them; and, as “they who believe not are condemned already,” John 3:18, so believers are already “justified by faith, and have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1, in the present life. They plead guilty to the charge of the law; but they can likewise plead, that they renounce all hope and righteousness in themselves, and, upon the warrant of the Word of promise, put their whole trust in Jesus, “as the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth,” Romans 10:4, and this plea is accepted. “To him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifieth the ungodly, His faith is counted for righteousness,” Romans 4:5, and his sins are no more remembered against him, Hebrews 8:12.
WILLIAM TYNDALE (1490-1536): The law is the key which shuts up all men under condemnation, and the gospel is the key which opens the door and lets them out.
H. A. IRONSIDE: It was the key that opened the door of liberty to Luther.
C. H. MACKINTOSH (1820-1896): When Luther was groaning under the power of sin, and saw not forgiveness, and sought relief by making promises and keeping under the body, one said to him, “Why do you distress yourself with these high thoughts? Look to the wounds of Jesus Christ, to the blood which He has shed for you: it is there you will see the mercy of God. Instead of torturing yourself for your faults, cast yourself into the arms of your Redeemer. Trust in Him, in the righteousness of His life, and in the expiatory sacrifice of His death.”
C. H. SPURGEON: Let us look to the Lord Jesus alone. As we see Jesus we shall see our salvation.
WILLIAM TYNDALE: Remember Christ is the end of all things. He only is our resting-place, and He is our peace. For as there is no salvation in any other name, so is there no peace in any other name. Thou shalt never have rest in thy soul, neither shall the worm of conscience ever cease to gnaw thine heart, till thou come at Christ; till thou hear the glad tidings, how that God for His sake hath forgiven thee all freely. If thou trust in thy works, there is no rest. Thou shalt think, I have not done enough. Have I done it with so great love as I should do? Was I so glad in doing, as I would be to receive help at my need? I have left this or that undone; and such like. If thou trust in confession, then thou shalt think, Have I told all? Have I told all the circumstances? Did I repent enough? Had I as great sorrow in my repentance for my sins, as I had pleasure in doing them?
C. H. SPURGEON: Even if salvation by good works were possible, no man can ever be sure that he has performed enough of them to secure his salvation…One breakage of the perfect law of God involves transgression against the whole of it. In order to be saved by works, there must be absolutely perfect, and continuously perfect obedience to it, in thought, and word, and deed; and that obedience must be rendered cheerfully, and from the heart, for this is the pith of the first table—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Can you keep that?
J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): This is the one true way of peace—justification by Christ…Remember there is no mediator but one—Jesus Christ. Remember there is no purgatory for sinners but one—the blood of Christ. Remember there is no sacrifice for sin but one—the sacrifice once made on the cross. Remember there are no works that can merit anything—but the work of Christ. Remember there is no priest who can truly absolve—but Christ. Stand fast here, and be on your guard. Give not the glory due to Christ, to another.
JOHN TRAPP (1601-1699): “And by him all that believe are justified,” Acts 13:39. This saying of Paul is the more to be heeded, saith an interpreter, because it is the very basis, foundation, and state of Christian religion, whereby it is distinguished from all other religions.
C. H. SPURGEON: True justification by faith is the surface soil, but then imputed righteousness is the granite rock which lies underneath it; and if you dig down through the great truth of a sinners being justified by faith in Christ, you must, as I believe, inevitably come to the doctrine of the imputed righteousness of Christ as the basis and foundation on which that simple doctrine rests.
JOHN TRAPP: Jews, Muslims, Pagans, and Papists explode an imputed righteousness; as if we could not be justified by the righteousness of Christ apprehended by faith. The Papists, like king Saul, forbid us to eat of this honey, this precious comfort in Christ—justification by faith alone, as if hereby we should be hindered in our pursuit against sin; whereas indeed, it is the only strength and help against it. Hold fast therefore the faithful word, and transmit this doctrine safe and sound to posterity. It was Martin Luther’s great fear, that when he was dead, it would be lost again out of the world.
MARTIN LUTHER: If the article of justification is lost, all Christian doctrine is lost at the same time.
