THE FIRSTFRUITS OF FAITH (2)

But the forgiveness of sins is but half, and that is the negative half of the first fruits of faith. Merely removing the penalty for and the punishment of sins does not undo all the work of sin. The natural man is a sinner, rebel, and outlaw. He needs not only to be redeemed but to be reinstated to favor with God. A criminal may be pardoned and released from prison, but he returns to the community where he lives as a pardoned criminal. No human judge has the power to reinstate him into society as one who never sinned. What man cannot do, God can. Justification is the positive half of the first fruits of faith.

Acts 13:38-39

^38 “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; ³⁹ and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.”

Christ, our Savior, not only pardoned our sin but also gave us the standing before the Father of one who had never sinned. The only way in which He could do this was to exchange places with us. He took our place upon the cross, becoming sin for us that we might take His place before the Father, becoming righteousness in Him. His death was one act with a double blessing. The negative side was forgiveness, which took something from us, the penalty for our sins; the positive side was justification, which gave something to us, the righteousness of God. The death of Jesus Christ accomplished a twofold work in the believer: it unclothed him by removing the filthy rags of sin and clothed him by bestowing the pure garments of His perfect righteousness. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.” Here, Christ Jesus is saying to His Father, Put their sins to my account. That we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Here, Christ Jesus is saying to His Father, Put my righteousness to their account. Through His death upon the cross, Jesus Christ not only took us out of the old standing in Adam but also brought us into a new standing in Christ. The grace of God provides for justification, the blood of Jesus Christ procures it, and the faith of the believer possesses it.

Romans 3:24

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 5:9

“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

Romans 5:1

“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Through justification, certain definite and glorious blessings are secured to the believer. Chief among these is peace with God. Resistance and rebellion through self-will have ceased, and the heart rests in the assurance of God’s favor.

Romans 5:1

“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

All distance between God and the sinner is obliterated. All barriers are torn down. The believer is made near to God’s heart through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.”

“O the love that sought me,  O the blood that bought me,  O the grace that brought me to the fold!”

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

O Lord Jesus, what an exchange! The just for the unjust, the righteous for the unrighteous.