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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 />

17

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