But let us come to the patriarch Abraham himself, and let us see by what means he was justified and saved. Doubtless, not for his excellent virtue, and holy works: not because he forsook his country, kindred, and father’s house: not because he was circumcised, and observed the law: not because he was about to offer up in sacrifice, at the commandment of God, his son Isaac, in whom he had the promise of posterity: but because he believed (Gen 12:1; 17:24, 22:1, 3). Wherefore he was not justified by any other means than by
faith alone. If ye then will be justified by the law, much more ought your father Abraham to be justified by the law. But Abraham could not otherwise be justified, nor receive forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Ghost, than by faith alone.
Martin Luther, Kregel, Galatians 3:7, p. 134.
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A. Berean has left a new comment on your post "Wherefore faith beginneth righteousness, but imput...":
This is really the wonderful blessing that Justification is forensic as opposed to infused (Osiandrian Controversy settled by F.O.C. Art. III - Of the Righteousness of Faith). Certainly Righteousness is not by the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21, 22). Yet, our Justification is not called into question or renounced simply by weak faith (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20), because our Justification is based upon the Perfect Righteousness of Christ which is imputed to us and even covers our imperfections in sanctification. This is pointed out in Luther's quote when he cites Matthew 20:11. Whether they'd been working all day long or just worked the last hour, each laborer received a penny. In Justification, those who have been life-long Christians are justified the same as those who would be converted just prior to the last day, because they all received Christ's perfect righteousness imputatively.
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| This is contrary to the Scriptures, the Confessions, and the Reformation, but UOJ is marketed as the Gospel. |
