The Reformed Heart

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16 ESV)

Christianity today struggles with its identity. At the time of the Reformation, Luther saw the truth in scripture. He saw the truth hidden behind the step-by-step instructional religion of the Roman Catholic Church. Luther struggled with his inability to cooperate with grace. He knew he was not worthy and a sinner and could never, on his own, be holy and righteous.

John Calvin knew this as well and preached often on this subject. Calvin knew we were the fallen children of Adam, writing, “Hence it is not strange that the greater part of mankind have erred so egregiously in this matter. Owing to the innate self-love by which all are blinded, we most willingly persuade ourselves that we do not possess a single quality which is deserving of hatred; and hence, independent of any countenance from without, general credit is given to the very foolish idea, that man is perfectly sufficient of himself for all the purposes of a good and happy life.”[1] Blinded by this self-love, we fool ourselves and expose ourselves to Satan and sin.

Pelagius and others saw the problem with justification and saw it as the biggest heresy in Protestantism and the Reformation. It was the undoing of the Roman Catholic Church. Gone were the lies about works for salvation, the need for the seven sacraments, and the priest's intervention. The lies would be undone. It was the whole reason for the council of Trent, the counter-Reformation, and the anathema of those who believed in the Solas and the inerrancy of scripture.

The identity problem for Christianity is found in the superficial view of sin. Today, from the pulpit, people hear they are sick and need a doctor. This is far from the truth of the gospel. When we are new to Christianity, one of the first verses we learn is Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  But that is not the message in many churches. What we should be hearing is the truth that we are dead and require a resurrection, not a doctor. A doctor cannot help a dead man.

The modern church propagates a superficial view of sin, which results in a superficial view of grace. Grace is no longer about justification but about being happier and having a better life. It is about health and wealth. This understanding will lead millions to hell.

Luther and Calvin were struck by the weight of justification. It is a miraculous change that Christ makes to the person that justifies them. Yet many still struggle with what they must do. They believe they must have to do something to be worthy and it is a lie many still suffer with every day. The weightiest part of justification is that you will never be more justified than you were when you first truly accepted Christ as your Savior. Stand a mature, righteous Christian next to a babe in Christ, and their justification is the same. No difference. It is because we are made righteous in the righteousness of Christ, not through our own doing. Yes, we continue to grow in sanctification, but we are made righteous in Christ once justified, and that will never change.

We all may suffer the arrows of Satan, who tries to persuade us otherwise, but one who has accepted Christ as their Savior will remain righteous despite their innate troubles and reoccurring sin.

I have often pictured my day of judgment. It will be a trembling day, knowing all the things I have done in my life, trembling because God also knows my life. When God asks me why I am before Him and what I have done to enter heaven, the only response I can give is I am a sinner, and I have done nothing worthy to enter heaven. But Father, I am not here because of what I have done. I am here because of what your Son has done for me. If he had not made me righteous, I could only be condemned. But I am here because of the righteousness he has given me, not my own.

Will it be a trembling day for you? Do you understand the gravity and weight of your sins? Do you understand that you are dead unless Christ lives in you? Have you met your Savior? One second from now, you could be standing before God. If you do not know Christ, do not wait.

Peace and Grace!

[1] Calvin, Jean, and Henry Beveridge. Institutes of the Christian Religion: Translated by Henry Beveridge. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1953. 211.