GOD IS JUST AND ALSO JUSTIFIES THE SINNER.
Righteousness is two-fold in Rom. 3. God's forbearance and grace had been shown in the remission (or passing over) of the bygone sins of Old Testament saints, in spite of His own words that the soul that sins shall die, but His righteousness had not been manifested. (Rom. 3:25). He now shows, therefore, the righteousness of His own character by the cross of Christ, both in His past forbearance, and in now freely justifying the believing sinner. This last act is said to be the righteousness of God upon all them that believe. Hence we get two things; first, that God Himself is just, and next that He is the justifier of him that believes. (Rom. 3:26). The finished work of Christ on the sinner's behalf, accepted by God as seen in His raising Him from the dead, has set Him free to show His grace in righteousness. Mercy and truth, and righteousness and peace, have thus met together at the cross for the first time (Rom. 5:1), and God no longer forbears with the believing sinner, but justifies him freely by His grace (Rom. 3:24).
A Wonderful Contrast
The full perfection of the believer's standing is seen by comparing these two passages: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23.)
“We have peace with God... and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Rom. 5:1, 2.)
The perfection of Christ's work enables every believer to rejoice in the absolute certainty of entering that very glory from winch he was hopelessly excluded by nature.
Standing and State
But so far we have only spoken of the believer's standing before a righteous God, and if we say nothing now of the state that must accompany it, as treated of in the following chapters, it is not because we undervalue the importance of practical righteousness, but because we must reserve this great question for future consideration.
Seven Eternal Realities
On turning now to Heb. 9, 10, one thing impresses us is the words "eternal," and "forever." We get in these chapters seven divine assurances of the eternal value of Christ's work. We find that Christ's offering was once forever, and that therefore He is seated forever; hence we have eternal redemption, and are perfected forever (Heb. 9:12; 10:10, 12, 14). We also read that there will be no more offering on Christ's part, no more remembrance of sins on God's part, and hence no more conscience of sins on our part. (Heb. 10:2, 17, 18). On these seven eternal realities our faith rests. Now the sanctification spoken of here, like the righteousness in Rom. 3, 4, 5, is perfect and complete, absolutely independent of our state, so that even the Corinthians, who were in anything but a holy state, could be addressed as "sanctified in Christ Jesus." Of practical sanctification, as of practical righteousness, we hope to speak, but not here. Let our souls first fully enjoy and enter into the work of Christ for us. Let us glory in our perfect justification and holiness in Him who of God is "made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Cor. 1:30.)
Another Contrast
Compare here, as in Romans, two passages, and see what a testimony they give to the value of Christ's work.
“The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest." (Heb. 9:8.)
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way." (Heb. 10:19, 20.)
The worshipper, who in Old Testament times was rigorously excluded from God's presence, is now made, by the infinite value of the work of Christ, so holy, that he is able to come right into the holiest of all, standing in Christ without a spot.
Let us then glory in the work of Christ; nay more, let us boast in Christ Himself, through whom we are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; and above all, let none of us ever harbor even for a moment a wretched unbelieving thought of His perfect work. Doubts and fears are impossible for the one who understands for himself the full meaning of the truth of Heb. 10. Never, never allow a doubt about a salvation, which you have had no part in procuring, but which from first to last is the perfect work of the Triune God-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Continued)