How are thou righteous before God? Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; [185] so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, [186] and am still inclined to all evil; [187] notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, [188] but only of mere grace, [189] grants and imputes to me, [190] the perfect satisfaction, [191] righteousness and holiness of Christ; [192] even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; [193] inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. [194] Footnotes: [185] Rom. 3:21-25, 28; Rom. 5:1 , 2; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8, 9; Philip. 3:9. [186] Rom. 3:9. [187] Rom. 7:23. [188] Tit. 3:5; Deut. 9:6; Ezek. 36:22. [189] Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8. [190] Rom. 4:4, 5; 2:Cor. 5:19. [191] 1 John 2:2. [192] 1 John 2:1. [193] 2:Cor. 5:21. [194] Rom. 3:22; John 3:18. |