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Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland

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ighteousness can be imputed to <strong>the</strong> guilty s<strong>in</strong>ner<br />

only if he has faith.<br />

This tells us someth<strong>in</strong>g. The s<strong>in</strong>ner's faith<br />

enables God to do <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rwise impossible—to be<br />

just while He justifies <strong>the</strong> unjust. He creates a<br />

sublime paradox, a beautiful arangement that rests<br />

on a legal foundation, but embrac<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>itely<br />

more than a mere legality. The s<strong>in</strong>ner's faith frees<br />

<strong>the</strong> legal logjam that o<strong>the</strong>rwise would force God to<br />

abandon him to death—"<strong>the</strong> wages of s<strong>in</strong>"—which<br />

he deserves.<br />

Such faith is obviously a magnificent<br />

phenomenon, complementary to God's own<br />

character of <strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>ite love which provides Christ as<br />

our Substitute. It makes possible <strong>the</strong> beautiful<br />

formula of justification by faith. Faith is never our<br />

saviour, but it does make it possible for Christ's<br />

work as Saviour to be effective <strong>in</strong> our behalf. Our<br />

search for <strong>the</strong> mean<strong>in</strong>g of faith is <strong>in</strong>deed <strong>the</strong><br />

treasure hunt of <strong>the</strong> ages! Abraham's justification<br />

by faith is <strong>the</strong> grand model set before us:<br />

"Abraham believed God, and it [his faith] was<br />

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