As
understood by the Reformers and their followers, and by Paul as I read
him, [justification] is theological, declaring a work of amazing grace;
anthropological, demonstrating that we cannot save ourselves;
Christological, resting on incarnation and atonement; pneumatological,
rooted in Spirit-wrought faith-union with Jesus; ecclesiological,
determining both the definition and the health of the church;
eschatological, proclaiming God's truly final verdict on believers here
and now; evangelistic, inviting troubled souls into everlasting peace;
pastoral, making our identity as forgiven sinners basic to our
fellowship; and liturgical, being decisive for interpreting the
sacraments and shaping sacramental services.
No other biblical doctrine holds together so much that is precious and enlivening.
J. I. Packer, Here We Stand: Justification by Faith Today (Hodder and Stoughton 1986)
This little statement contains just about everything you need to know.
If a believer gets a hold of the truth contained in this statement by
Packer they would be a good way down the road of the christian life and
would be filled with joy at how great God is and how amazing his grace
is.
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