In articles twenty-two through twenty-six of our confession the doctrine of justification is discussed in detail. This doctrine is of the greatest importance for us, and is even sometimes called the heart of Christendom. We may not forget that many errors of the church in the past have resulted in errors regarding justification. This should be as a sign on the wall for us to make us aware of the danger that exists.

The word 'justification' itself we find in many places in Scripture. Think only of the well-known text of Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." In the dictionary the word justify is defined as a proving or showing to be just, right or reasonable. We may not explain justification as a moral change for the better or an improvement by man so that he becomes just before God. That would be according to the concept of the church of Rome – first a certain degree of holiness, and then the Lord will justify. This would signify that sanctification precedes justification and is the basis of it. This is against God's Word.

Especially since the Reformation this doctrine has been scripturally explained that we are justified by God the Father on the ground of Christ's merited righteousness without the works of the law, by faith only, just as we find it expressed in this twenty-second article: "We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all His merits, appropriates Him, and seeks nothing more besides Him." It speaks here of an upright faith, meaning a true faith, a true saving faith.

Often there is also mentioned the historical, the temporal and the miraculous faith, but they are different in essence from saving faith. To obtain a portion in the merits of Christ, it is necessary that we be united with Christ. By nature we are one with Adam, united with him, which makes us condemnable before the Lord. Only when this unity with Adam is broken can we be saved. It is not enough, for at that time we are not yet on Christ's account. We must be incorporated into him; by Word and Spirit the sinner is quickened and becomes one with Christ – on His account, although the comfort of it is missed because he feels just the opposite – that he is unconverted. The Lord Jesus has said that we have to be in the vine and should receive the saps of Him.

Our fathers have always made a difference between the gift of faith and the exercise of faith. Faith is given in regeneration; at that time faith is implanted in the soul. It is necessary that this faith is exercised. Never forget that faith is a gift of God, but the exercise of faith is also a gift of God. This true faith is worked in the heart by the Holy Spirit, Who is the Author of faith. From all that is written you can understand that faith is not of man and that there is not such a thing as a preparation for faith.

The doctrine that man cannot do anything to his own salvation is always opposed from various sides, but especially by the Pelagians. It is an old error that always stays alive. They of course have texts by which they claim to prove their point. They point to Luke 11:9-10, where is written, "And I say unto you: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." It is pleasant for us to hear that by a decent life and using of the means we may become something. We may never, of course, plead for a sinful life, as that is dishonoring the Lord and we will never receive His favor upon such doings.

However, on the other side there is also a great danger. It is perilous to make a foundation of our doings. The Lord says very clearly that man is dead in sin and trespasses. How can there then be any preparation from our side? A person who is dead is not able to do anything. It is true that we remain rational creatures, also after the fall, and we are able to do morally good works, but these are only horizontally among people. Spiritually good works cannot be performed by us; they are works which are good in the sight of the Lord.

Free will is against God's Word and the practice of the saints. We must always be careful that an old error does not return dressed in a new garment, for the devil is more sly than ever before. Many will call the doctrine of free grace a dishonoring of man, but God's people are so happy that there is free grace, for else it was lost for them. No one will ask for the Lord, but the wonder is that the Lord asks for His people, whom He has chosen from eternity and who were bought by the precious blood of His beloved Son. Isaiah gives the answer very clearly, "I am found of them that sought Me not."

Faith is not of us, but it is a gift of God. This does not mean that we may live as we like. In the sixteenth chapter (section 7) of the Westminster Confession we read, "And yet their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God." The word 'them' points to the works done by unregenerate men, although, for that matter, they may be things which God commands and which are of good use both to themselves and others. When they are neglected, it displeases the Lord more, but they are no ground for salvation. The Lord commands us to use the means of grace, and He uses the Word to the conversion of His elect.

We know of Agrippa that his conscience was moved, but nothing more; it was no true conversion. True conversion goes together with the moving of the conscience, but there is also sorrow after God and because of sin. This is missing in historical, temporal and miraculous faith. Sometimes the Lord uses wonderful ways to bring His children to and under the Word. The names of Lydia and Onesimus tell us of those ways, how they were brought to the Word to their eternal welfare.

Has that already happened in our life? No, there is no free will on our side, but the Lord uses the means to conversion. Therefore may we be faithful in the use of the means with a praying heart that it may be blessed in our personal lives and in the lives of our loved ones. It is the greatest treasure we can receive.