Works of John Bunyan – The Greatness of The Soul, And Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; The Intercession Of Christ and Who are Privilege In It.170

 

by Thomas Sadler, oil on canvas, 1684

Inferences from the benefits of Christ's intercession.

Third. And now I come to the third thing that I told you I should speak to, and that is, to those inferences that may be gathered from these words.

1. Are they justified by Christ's blood, such as those who have yet to be saved by his intercession? Then, from here, it follows that justification will stand with imperfection. It doth not, therefore, follow that a justified man is without infirmity, for he that is without infirmity—that is, perfect with absolute perfection—has no need to be yet saved by an act to be performed by a mediator and his mediation.

When I say, justification will stand with imperfection, I do not mean that it will allow, countenance, or approve thereof; but I mean there is no necessity of our perfection, of our personal perfection, as to our justification, and that we are justified without it; yea, that, in justified persons, remains. Again, when I say that justification will stand with imperfection, I do not mean that in our justification we are imperfect, for in that we are complete; 'we are complete in him' who is our justice. (Col 2:10) If otherwise, the imperfection is in the matter that justifies us, which is the righteousness of Christ. Yea, and to say so would conclude that wrong judgment proceedeth from him that imputes that righteousness to us for justification since an imperfect thing is imputed to us for justification. But far be it from those who believe that God is true to imagine such a thing; all his works are perfect, and nothing is wanting in them as to the present design.

[Quest.] But what then do we mean when we say that justification will stand in a state of imperfection?

Answ. Why, I mean that justified men are yet sinners in themselves and are yet full of imperfections—yeah, sinful imperfections. Justified Paul said, 'I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.' (Rom 7:18) While we are sinners, we are justified by the blood of Christ. Hence, again, it is said, 'he justifies the ungodly.' (Rom 4:5, 5:8, 9) Justification, then, only covers our sin from the sight of God; it makes us not perfect with inherent perfection. But God, for the sake of that righteousness which by his grace is imputed to us, declareth us quit and discharged from the curse, and sees sin in us no more to condemnation.