When are God's Elect Justified?
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Lambano
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I take it that in the system being proposed (see page 1), the Elect were never really lost. They were always justified from the Foundation of the World, even before they had faith.
The Beginning of Justification !
Justification has it's beginning [ If we can call it a beginning], not when a sinner believes or is converted, not even when Christ died upon the cross [in time] but before the world began in the Eternal Counsels of the God Head, in the Everlasting Covenant, at which time [ If we can call it time] many were chosen in Christ Jesus, The Only Eternally Begotten Son and Mediator, and they were Predestinated to the Adoption of Children see Eph 1:3-5 and 2 Tim 1:9, here it is stated that many in Christ were given Grace and Justification is freely by Grace Rom 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The word freely here is important. It is the greek word dorean and means undeservedly ! Not because of ones Faith or Repentance or anything they did or did not do, not even their accepting it, for they did not even exist yet except in God's Mind and Eternal Purpose.
Now this being True, The Elect were viewed by the God Head in Christ and having Union with Him from Everlasting, and this Eternal Union is the foundation of the communicating of all the spiritual blessings or saving benefits [from the fall] which they the elect receive in time, all for the Glory of God's Grace freely given them in Christ before the world began Eph 1:6; 2 Tim 1:9 ! 2
Justification has it's beginning [ If we can call it a beginning], not when a sinner believes or is converted, not even when Christ died upon the cross [in time] but before the world began in the Eternal Counsels of the God Head, in the Everlasting Covenant, at which time [ If we can call it time] many were chosen in Christ Jesus, The Only Eternally Begotten Son and Mediator, and they were Predestinated to the Adoption of Children see Eph 1:3-5 and 2 Tim 1:9, here it is stated that many in Christ were given Grace and Justification is freely by Grace Rom 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The word freely here is important. It is the greek word dorean and means undeservedly ! Not because of ones Faith or Repentance or anything they did or did not do, not even their accepting it, for they did not even exist yet except in God's Mind and Eternal Purpose.
Now this being True, The Elect were viewed by the God Head in Christ and having Union with Him from Everlasting, and this Eternal Union is the foundation of the communicating of all the spiritual blessings or saving benefits [from the fall] which they the elect receive in time, all for the Glory of God's Grace freely given them in Christ before the world began Eph 1:6; 2 Tim 1:9 ! 2
Not a inward work !
Justification is not a work that was wrought in the elect sinner [inwardly], for it is not the New Birth, however it is the fruit of it. In other words all whom are Justified from everlasting will in time be the recipients of the New Birth by the Spirit. This is when God causes the elect sinner to partake of a nature that corresponds with His declaration of them as Justified or Righteous because of the obedience of Christ. However Justification is just a legal term that defines the elect sinner as righteous in the Mind of God, even when the sinner is unrighteous in themselves and their manner of life. What they do or are doing or what they have not done has nothing to do with it, but it only has to do with what Christ done in their behalf, and the Father hath accepted it.
Justification is not a work that was wrought in the elect sinner [inwardly], for it is not the New Birth, however it is the fruit of it. In other words all whom are Justified from everlasting will in time be the recipients of the New Birth by the Spirit. This is when God causes the elect sinner to partake of a nature that corresponds with His declaration of them as Justified or Righteous because of the obedience of Christ. However Justification is just a legal term that defines the elect sinner as righteous in the Mind of God, even when the sinner is unrighteous in themselves and their manner of life. What they do or are doing or what they have not done has nothing to do with it, but it only has to do with what Christ done in their behalf, and the Father hath accepted it.
Justification is legally and declaratively a right standing before God as Judge. One can be before God either Justified or condemned, there is no middle ground. One is either born into this world as Justified or condemned before God, though all are born sinners. These are both what is termed forensic words, having to do with a courtroom setting. Now reconciliation, propitiation, justification and remission of sins are all joined together and all are dealt with by the blood of Christ. His blood has satisfied God's Justice in all these area's. Everyone Christ died for, having been slain in the Eternal Purpose of God before the foundation of the world, are reconciled, propitiated, justified and have remission of sins when they are born in this world dead in Trespasses and sins. This is True only Legally before God without them knowing about it. 2
That's the same post you made near about 10 years at christianforums.net and baptist forum.
Imputation of sins of the elect to Christ from the foundation!
Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If in the Eternal Purpose of God, the Lamb has been slain from the foundation of the world, what was He slain for ? It was for the sins of those He was actually slain for in time ! God's Elect. We know this because Peter writing to God's Elect in 1 Pet 1:1-2 writes this to THEM 1 Pet 2:24
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Whose our sins ? Its the Elect according to the foreknowledge of God !
Now, if Christ was slain in the Eternal Purpose of the Father, it was for the sins of the foreknown Elect of God.
And that means their sins had been imputed to His Charge, in the Eternal Purpose of God before the foundation of the world. See 1 Pet 1:20 !
It was before the foundation of the world that the Triune God, The Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, The God-Head, in the Counsel of the Everlasting Covenant, Christ being the designated Surety thereof, The Father imputed, laid to the Sureties charge, in His Mediator Office 1 Tim 2:5, the sins of all His Elect. Also they received from Him the Imputed Righteousness of His future obedience unto the Law of God.
This imputation concerns only the Election of Grace among men, and not that of the reprobates, men or angels !
Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If in the Eternal Purpose of God, the Lamb has been slain from the foundation of the world, what was He slain for ? It was for the sins of those He was actually slain for in time ! God's Elect. We know this because Peter writing to God's Elect in 1 Pet 1:1-2 writes this to THEM 1 Pet 2:24
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Whose our sins ? Its the Elect according to the foreknowledge of God !
Now, if Christ was slain in the Eternal Purpose of the Father, it was for the sins of the foreknown Elect of God.
And that means their sins had been imputed to His Charge, in the Eternal Purpose of God before the foundation of the world. See 1 Pet 1:20 !
It was before the foundation of the world that the Triune God, The Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, The God-Head, in the Counsel of the Everlasting Covenant, Christ being the designated Surety thereof, The Father imputed, laid to the Sureties charge, in His Mediator Office 1 Tim 2:5, the sins of all His Elect. Also they received from Him the Imputed Righteousness of His future obedience unto the Law of God.
This imputation concerns only the Election of Grace among men, and not that of the reprobates, men or angels !
Eternally Justified in God's Purpose !
Everyone who is truly believing in the Son of God for their Salvation Jn 3:16, for the word believing there is in the present tense hence "whosoever is believing" was eternally Justified in the Purpose of God by the Grace of God Rom 8:30; 2 Tim 1:9
Rom 8:30
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
2 Tim 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
The Justification of the Elect of God did not begin in time, but from everlasting. Paul when revealing in His Gospel the eternal decree of God and of predestination, states clearly that all of God's Elect were Justified in His Eternal Purpose of Grace ! Thats what Paul also points to in Titus 3:7
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What Hope of Eternal Life ? This right here Titus 1:2
1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
The Elect were made Heirs of Eternal Life before the world began, by Grace, and they were Justified by that Grace before the world began !
The writer John Gill once said " God's will to elect is the election of His People; so also His will to Justify them is the justification of them" !
God's Justification of His People is an act of Grace and based upon the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom 3:24
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Now this redemption, took place in the mind and purpose of God before the foundation of the world 1 Pet 1:20 and Rev 13:8
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 2
Everyone who is truly believing in the Son of God for their Salvation Jn 3:16, for the word believing there is in the present tense hence "whosoever is believing" was eternally Justified in the Purpose of God by the Grace of God Rom 8:30; 2 Tim 1:9
Rom 8:30
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
2 Tim 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
The Justification of the Elect of God did not begin in time, but from everlasting. Paul when revealing in His Gospel the eternal decree of God and of predestination, states clearly that all of God's Elect were Justified in His Eternal Purpose of Grace ! Thats what Paul also points to in Titus 3:7
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What Hope of Eternal Life ? This right here Titus 1:2
1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
The Elect were made Heirs of Eternal Life before the world began, by Grace, and they were Justified by that Grace before the world began !
The writer John Gill once said " God's will to elect is the election of His People; so also His will to Justify them is the justification of them" !
God's Justification of His People is an act of Grace and based upon the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom 3:24
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Now this redemption, took place in the mind and purpose of God before the foundation of the world 1 Pet 1:20 and Rev 13:8
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 2
In the Mind of God !
The religious people of our time have shown profound irreverence to God, as though, when something in the Mind of God means nothing to them, as though what's in His Mind as True cannot be True unless its true in the minds of His creatures, reducing God to their levels, which is blasphemy !
However in the Mind and Purpose of God, the Lord Jesus Christ was the lamb Slain from the foundation of the World Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
This is not saying that He was literally slain in time from the foundation, but that He was slain in the Mind and Eternal Purpose of God from the foundation of the World !
You see God the Father constituted His Son as an Surety of the Covenant, the Everlasting Covenant before the world began. He was designated a substitute and redeemer before the world began, and as such God in His own Mind looked upon His Son as having been slain, put to death for the Sins of His Elect from Eternity. This was prefigured with Abraham and Isaac. Even though Abraham did not literally put his son to death, he certainly had purposed to do so in his mind ! This purpose was so real that it was said that he received his son back from the dead ! Heb 11:19
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Abraham looked at his son as good as dead, and believed that God could raise him from the dead to establish His earlier promises regarding him !
And so, The Father looked at His own beloved Son as already scarified for His Sheep from everlasting, according to the agreement in the Everlasting Covenant , when Christ became Surety !
Its dishonoring to God to despise and treat with contempt that which He See's as real and complete in His Mind, because it was not so in the minds of His creatures.
The religious people of our time have shown profound irreverence to God, as though, when something in the Mind of God means nothing to them, as though what's in His Mind as True cannot be True unless its true in the minds of His creatures, reducing God to their levels, which is blasphemy !
However in the Mind and Purpose of God, the Lord Jesus Christ was the lamb Slain from the foundation of the World Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
This is not saying that He was literally slain in time from the foundation, but that He was slain in the Mind and Eternal Purpose of God from the foundation of the World !
You see God the Father constituted His Son as an Surety of the Covenant, the Everlasting Covenant before the world began. He was designated a substitute and redeemer before the world began, and as such God in His own Mind looked upon His Son as having been slain, put to death for the Sins of His Elect from Eternity. This was prefigured with Abraham and Isaac. Even though Abraham did not literally put his son to death, he certainly had purposed to do so in his mind ! This purpose was so real that it was said that he received his son back from the dead ! Heb 11:19
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Abraham looked at his son as good as dead, and believed that God could raise him from the dead to establish His earlier promises regarding him !
And so, The Father looked at His own beloved Son as already scarified for His Sheep from everlasting, according to the agreement in the Everlasting Covenant , when Christ became Surety !
Its dishonoring to God to despise and treat with contempt that which He See's as real and complete in His Mind, because it was not so in the minds of His creatures.
Continuing with Justification from Everlasting !
As we should consider the Gospel Truth of Eternal Justification, we Look at Eph 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
For it cannot be honestly denied that God the Father did view the Chosen as In Christ before the Foundation of the World, for they were Loved in Him Before the foundation of the world Jn 17:23-24
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Now, If God the Father did view them in Christ before the foundation, did He view them in a state of condemnation or Justification ? We dare not conclude condemnation because that is impossible for those which be in Christ Jesus Rom 8:1, So it must be Justified, for also He did not lay their sins to their charge in Adam Rom 8:33-34; 2 Cor 5:19. The conclusion is obvious, they were Justified before the foundation of the world ! 2
As we should consider the Gospel Truth of Eternal Justification, we Look at Eph 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
For it cannot be honestly denied that God the Father did view the Chosen as In Christ before the Foundation of the World, for they were Loved in Him Before the foundation of the world Jn 17:23-24
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Now, If God the Father did view them in Christ before the foundation, did He view them in a state of condemnation or Justification ? We dare not conclude condemnation because that is impossible for those which be in Christ Jesus Rom 8:1, So it must be Justified, for also He did not lay their sins to their charge in Adam Rom 8:33-34; 2 Cor 5:19. The conclusion is obvious, they were Justified before the foundation of the world ! 2
I think what would assist us greatly as readers is if @brightfame52 would include the links to their sources. This way we can review the Bibliographies and review the full cut and pasted articles.
I have some points derived from scripture Truth, why all those Christ died for are Justified from Eternity, from their sin in adam and consequently all sin following. I have listed six reasons, and I am indebted to God through one John Brine from his treatise on Eternal Justification.
Point #1 Justification is an immanent, and consequently an eternal act. This argument must be allowed conclusive, unless it can be proved that Justification is a transient act.
What is meant by an immanent act ? Well the word itself means:
remaining within; indwelling; inherent.
2.
Philosophy . (of a mental act) taking place within the mind of the subject and having no effect outside of it. Compare transeunt.
3.
Theology . (of the Deity) indwelling the universe, time, etc. Compare transcendent ( def. 3 ) .
It means it's a inward act of God's reckoning. Its a Judgment of God based on nothing outside of Him, and so such a act would be Eternal simply because God is Eternal Deut 33:7
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
This is why David could write regarding God's Mercy Ps 103:17
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
You see that ? The mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting, to who ? Those who fear Him or the Vessels of Mercy Rom 9:23
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
An Immanent Act of God is different from an transeunt act of God which produces effects outside of God ! An example of that would be Creation, it's accomplishment is outside of God and by His Power ! 2
Point #1 Justification is an immanent, and consequently an eternal act. This argument must be allowed conclusive, unless it can be proved that Justification is a transient act.
What is meant by an immanent act ? Well the word itself means:
remaining within; indwelling; inherent.
2.
Philosophy . (of a mental act) taking place within the mind of the subject and having no effect outside of it. Compare transeunt.
3.
Theology . (of the Deity) indwelling the universe, time, etc. Compare transcendent ( def. 3 ) .
It means it's a inward act of God's reckoning. Its a Judgment of God based on nothing outside of Him, and so such a act would be Eternal simply because God is Eternal Deut 33:7
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
This is why David could write regarding God's Mercy Ps 103:17
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
You see that ? The mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting, to who ? Those who fear Him or the Vessels of Mercy Rom 9:23
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
An Immanent Act of God is different from an transeunt act of God which produces effects outside of God ! An example of that would be Creation, it's accomplishment is outside of God and by His Power ! 2
Point 2
2. The elect were by God considered and viewed in Christ from everlasting; which is excellently expressed by Dr. Thomas Goodwin in these words:
"Look, as God did not, in his decrees about creation, consider the body of Adam singly and apart from his soul, nor yet the soul without the body (I speak of his creation and state thereby) neither should either so much as exist, but as the one in the other: so nor Christ and his church in election, which gave the first existence to Christ as a head, and to the church as his body, which each had in God's decrees." Exposition of the First Chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, London, 1681, Pt. 1, p. 72.
Now as God considers His elect in Christ, they are either objects of condemnation, or Justification. The former must be denied, and therefore the latter evidently follows; except, as God beholds the elect in Christ, they are neither objects of condemnation, nor Justification; which is an absurdity that none will admit.
There is no doubt that God viewed His Chosen In Christ before the Foundation Eph 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2. The elect were by God considered and viewed in Christ from everlasting; which is excellently expressed by Dr. Thomas Goodwin in these words:
"Look, as God did not, in his decrees about creation, consider the body of Adam singly and apart from his soul, nor yet the soul without the body (I speak of his creation and state thereby) neither should either so much as exist, but as the one in the other: so nor Christ and his church in election, which gave the first existence to Christ as a head, and to the church as his body, which each had in God's decrees." Exposition of the First Chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, London, 1681, Pt. 1, p. 72.
Now as God considers His elect in Christ, they are either objects of condemnation, or Justification. The former must be denied, and therefore the latter evidently follows; except, as God beholds the elect in Christ, they are neither objects of condemnation, nor Justification; which is an absurdity that none will admit.
There is no doubt that God viewed His Chosen In Christ before the Foundation Eph 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
This is a grave error based on God being preferential...which He is not. God is NOT a respecter of persons in judgment...preferring one person over another.
The "us" in "has chosen us" is not about religious speculators. The "us" is general...as in us humans. God decided that human beings should be brought into His family to rule over all things with Him. We are individually elected as God sees fit on an individual basis as we cry out to Him...or else as He ordains. To whom much is given more is required. John the Baptist was Spirit filled from birth...and yet the least in the kingdom is greater than he. So we can't get religiously dogmatic about it.
Too many justify themselves based on the presumption that they are the "elect"...they can do no wrong and are immune from judgment. An evil doctrine.
Jesus died for the sins of the whole world...a general thing. For God so loved the world...this humanity. To make that exclusive to certain people is incorrect. Otherwise it would read...For God so loved His elect. Or Jesus died for the sins of the church.
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