 July's featured article
Justification by Faith-
C. H. SPURGEON
"And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."--Genesis 15:6.
You will remember that last Lord's-day morning we spoke upon the
calling of Abram, and the faith by which he was enabled to enter upon
that separated life at the bidding of the Most High. We shall today pass
from the consideration of his calling to that of his justification, that
being most remarkably next in order in his history, as it is in point of
theology in the New Testament; for, "whom he called, them he also
justified."
Referring to the chapter before us for a preface to our subject, note that
after Abram's calling his faith proved to be of the most practical kind.
Being called to separate himself from his kindred and from his country,
he did not therefore become a recluse, a man of ascetic habits, or a
sentimentalist, unfit for the battles of ordinary life--no; but in the noblest
style of true manliness he showed himself able to endure the household
trouble and the public trial which awaited him. Lot's herdsmen
quarrelled with the servants of Abram, and Abram with great
disinterestedness gave his younger and far inferior relative the choice of
pasturage, and gave up the well-watered plain of Sodom, which was the
best of the land.
A little while after, the grand old man who trusted in his
God showed that he could play the soldier, and fight right gloriously
against terrible odds. He gathered together his own household servants,
and accepted the help of his neighbours, and pursued the conquering
hosts of the allied kings, and smote them with as heavy a hand as if from
his youth up he had been a military man. Brethren, this every-day life
faith is the faith of God's elect. There are persons who imagine saving
faith to be a barren conviction of the truth of certain abstract
propositions, leading only to a quiet contemplation upon certain
delightful topics, or a separating ourselves from all sympathy with our
fellow creatures; but it is not so. Faith, restricted merely to religious
exercise, is not Christian faith, it must show itself in everything. A
merely religious faith may be the choice of men whose heads are softer
than their hearts, fitter for cloisters than markets; but the manly faith
which God would have us cultivate, is a grand practical principle
adapted for every day in the week, helping us to rule our household in
the fear of God, and to enter upon life's rough conflicts in the
warehouse, the farm, or the exchange. I mention this at the
commencement of this discourse, because as this is the faith which came
of Abram's calling, so also does it shine in his justification, and is,
indeed, that which God counted unto him for righteousness.
Yet the first verse shows us that even such a believer as Abram needed
comfort. The Lord said to him, "Fear not." Why did Abram fear? Partly
because of the reaction which is always caused by excitement when it is
over. He had fought boldly and conquered gloriously, and now he fears.
Cowards tremble before the fight, and brave men after the victory. Elias slew
the priests of Baal without fear, but after all was over, his spirit sank
and he fled from the face of Jezebel. Abram's fear also originated in an
overwhelming awe in the presence of God. The word of Jehovah came to
him with power, and he felt that same prostration of spirit which made the
beloved John fall at the feet of his Lord in the Isle of Patmos, and made
Daniel feel, on banks of Hiddekel that there was no strength in him. "Fear
not," said the Lord to the patriarch. His spirit was too deeply bowed. God
would uplift his beloved servant into the power of exercising sacred
familiarity.
Ah, brethren, this is a blessed fear--let us cultivate it; for
until it shall be cast out by perfect love, which is better still, we may be
content to let this good thing rule our hearts. Should not a man, conscious
of great infirmities, sink low in his own esteem in proportion as he is
honoured with communion with the glorious Lord?
When he was comforted, Abram received on open declaration of his
justification. I take it, beloved friends, that our text does not intend to
teach us that Abram was not justified before this time. Faith always
justifies whenever it exists, and as soon as it is exercised; its result
follows immediately, and is not an aftergrowth needing months of delay.
The moment a man truly trusts his God he is justified. Yet many are
justified who do not know their happy condition; to whom as yet the
blessing of justification has not been opened up in its excellency and
abundance of privilege. There may be some of you here today who have
been called by grace from darkness into marvellous light; you have been
led to look to Jesus, and you believe you have received pardon of your
sin, and yet, for want of knowledge, you know little of the sweet
meaning of such words as these, "Accepted in the Beloved," "Perfect in
Christ Jesus," "Complete in him." You are doubtless justified, though
you scarcely understand what justification means; and you are accepted,
though you have not realized your acceptance; and you are complete in
Jesus Christ, though you have today a far deeper sense of your personal
incompleteness than of the all-sufficiency of Jesus. A man may be
entitled to property though he cannot read the title-deeds, or has not as
yet heard of their existence; the law recognizes right and fact, not our
apprehension thereof. But there will come a time, beloved, when you
who are called will clearly realize your justification, and will rejoice in
it; it shall be intelligently understood by you, and shall become a matter
of transporting delight, lifting you to a higher platform of experience,
and enabling you to walk with a firmer step, sing with a merrier voice,
and triumph with an enlarged heart.
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