Here is a well written study on Justification by an old baptist name gabriel conklin..I have highlighted my comments within the study in blue/purple. Justification is a truth that should be understood before one witnesses concerning the cross work of christ, lest you find yourself a false witness. This study and more can be accessed at
CIRCULAR LETTER
By
Gabriel Conklin
Of Justification
The Elders and Brethren of the Warwick Association, assembled at Hardeston Church, Sussex County, New Jersey, by appointment, June 13th, and 14th, 1838
To the Churches whose Messengers they are,- Greeting.
Dear Brethren:- In this our Circular Address, we promise calling your attention to the consideration of some part or portion of doctrine of our faith.
The Justification of the people of God, is an important item in the plan of grace in a link in the chain, which binds the Lord's people to Himself and to each other;
therefore it may not be amiss, to offer you a few ideas again on this object, at this time. Justification stands opposed to condemnation, and condemnation necessarily follows transgression, and transgression implies sin: "For where no Law is, there is no transgression. "�
Roman iv.15. Hence when the Justification of the Church is spoken of, the idea of law, transgression and condemnation are clearly and fully implied, though it were not expressed.
But it is also abundantly expressed in the Scriptures of Truth. Besides, it is so clearly present to the view of the people of God in their own experience, that their mouths are stopped, and they confess themselves guilty before God.
The children of God, as they stand connected with, and related to Adam their natural head are, in view of the Law of God, in the same situation with the rest of mankind, "Dead in trespasses and sins,"� Ephesians ii.1, "Children of wrath even as others,"- Ephesians ii.3.[I agree, but children of wrath are not the same as children of the devil]
An important enquiry arises here:� "How shall man be just with God?"� Job ix.2, or how shall he be justified in His sight? This question is one of great moment to the poor sensible sinner. Human wisdom suggests the idea of human justification: but that is foolishness with God. It proposes our own works, and those of our fellow men: it talks of our prayers,[our believing or faith] our cries, our tears, or agonizing, out fasting, our paying of tithes, our giving alms, our attending to what it terms the ordinances of the Gospel, or the "means of grace" &c. as being weighty in the scales, and if likely to fall a little short, it advises to mix with our own, the righteousness of Christ.
But the poor condemned, guilty, sensible soul, knows better, even though heretofore ignorant of the letter of the Bible; feeling the weight of his guilt, and the justice of his condemnation, in view of the holiness of the Character of God, as set forth in His Law, by the quickening operation of the Spirit of God in his soul;
he finds with all his works and service and attempts to keep the Law, and recommend himself to God, he becomes more odious in His sight; instead of becoming better he is growing worse; or of taking one step toward heaven, he is drawing nigh to destruction. If he turns to the Bible his condemnation is ratified and confirmed in his own view, for "By the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight"� Romans iii.20. Thus the people of God are taught directly by the Spirit in their own experience that “vain is the help of man, that all human wisdom, human righteousness, human works, human shill and human schemes, will utterly fail of justifying the soul before God.
Source
CIRCULAR LETTER
By
Gabriel Conklin
Of Justification
The Elders and Brethren of the Warwick Association, assembled at Hardeston Church, Sussex County, New Jersey, by appointment, June 13th, and 14th, 1838
To the Churches whose Messengers they are,- Greeting.
Dear Brethren:- In this our Circular Address, we promise calling your attention to the consideration of some part or portion of doctrine of our faith.
The Justification of the people of God, is an important item in the plan of grace in a link in the chain, which binds the Lord's people to Himself and to each other;
therefore it may not be amiss, to offer you a few ideas again on this object, at this time. Justification stands opposed to condemnation, and condemnation necessarily follows transgression, and transgression implies sin: "For where no Law is, there is no transgression. "�
Roman iv.15. Hence when the Justification of the Church is spoken of, the idea of law, transgression and condemnation are clearly and fully implied, though it were not expressed.
But it is also abundantly expressed in the Scriptures of Truth. Besides, it is so clearly present to the view of the people of God in their own experience, that their mouths are stopped, and they confess themselves guilty before God.
The children of God, as they stand connected with, and related to Adam their natural head are, in view of the Law of God, in the same situation with the rest of mankind, "Dead in trespasses and sins,"� Ephesians ii.1, "Children of wrath even as others,"- Ephesians ii.3.[I agree, but children of wrath are not the same as children of the devil]
An important enquiry arises here:� "How shall man be just with God?"� Job ix.2, or how shall he be justified in His sight? This question is one of great moment to the poor sensible sinner. Human wisdom suggests the idea of human justification: but that is foolishness with God. It proposes our own works, and those of our fellow men: it talks of our prayers,[our believing or faith] our cries, our tears, or agonizing, out fasting, our paying of tithes, our giving alms, our attending to what it terms the ordinances of the Gospel, or the "means of grace" &c. as being weighty in the scales, and if likely to fall a little short, it advises to mix with our own, the righteousness of Christ.
But the poor condemned, guilty, sensible soul, knows better, even though heretofore ignorant of the letter of the Bible; feeling the weight of his guilt, and the justice of his condemnation, in view of the holiness of the Character of God, as set forth in His Law, by the quickening operation of the Spirit of God in his soul;
he finds with all his works and service and attempts to keep the Law, and recommend himself to God, he becomes more odious in His sight; instead of becoming better he is growing worse; or of taking one step toward heaven, he is drawing nigh to destruction. If he turns to the Bible his condemnation is ratified and confirmed in his own view, for "By the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight"� Romans iii.20. Thus the people of God are taught directly by the Spirit in their own experience that “vain is the help of man, that all human wisdom, human righteousness, human works, human shill and human schemes, will utterly fail of justifying the soul before God.
Source
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