Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland
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justification by faith <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> New Testament.<br />
2. When we come to <strong>the</strong> New Testament idea<br />
of justification, we see aga<strong>in</strong> that its primary sense<br />
is recogniz<strong>in</strong>g evidence that demands a verdict of<br />
acquittal. But a new element is now <strong>in</strong>troduced that<br />
is never present <strong>in</strong> an earthly law court. Someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is credited or imputed for righteousness which<br />
enables God justly to recognize and declare <strong>the</strong><br />
guilty person righteous. God must not permit<br />
Himself to make snap judgments based on<br />
subjective feel<strong>in</strong>gs or respect for persons. Like <strong>the</strong><br />
Hebrew judge, He is bound by rules of evidence.<br />
Let us look at several examples of <strong>the</strong> New<br />
Testament idea of justification: "And all <strong>the</strong> people<br />
that heard him [John], and <strong>the</strong> publicans, justified<br />
God." Luke 7:29. This justify<strong>in</strong>g of God was<br />
certa<strong>in</strong>ly not an arrogant human assumption of <strong>the</strong><br />
right to judge God. It was a simple recognition of<br />
evidence which proved that God is righteous.<br />
"By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by<br />
thy words thou shalt be condemned." Mat<strong>the</strong>w<br />
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