Let us linger over these terms, “the righteousness of God by faith.” Two subjects present themselves here for our consideration (1) the righteousness of God, (2) by faith.
(1) The righteousness of God.
What is meant by these words? First, they are used to contradict them from the righteousness of man, to which he clings with criminal and fatal tenacity. That righteousness in the eyes of God is only filthy rags. No one ever onfronted with Heaven’s high standard will ever delude himself that his own righteousness is quite sufficient. Generally speaking, “God’s righteousness” may be taken to mean just what God has a right to. And what has God a right to from man? Is it not to love the Lord his God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his strength, and with all his mind, and his neighbour as himself? Yes, and to do so in all circumstances, at all times, and forever and ever. No mere man has ever been able to do this, but there came One who stood in the law-place of His people, who loved the Lord His God with all His heart, with all His soul, with all His strength, and with all His mind, and His neighbour as Himself. One that always did that which pleased the Father and who was pre-eminently the Good Samaritan, loving His neighbour as Himself. This is the One who wrought out a righteousness satisfying the claims of Justice to the uttermost. This is such a righteousness as God required, and which, according to His own eternal arrangement, was provided by Himself. This is the righteousness which is imputed to the pardoned sinner in the day he is justified.
(2) By faith.
This righteousness is not by works, though it certainly was wrought out by works on the part of the Redeemer. But the believer had no part or lot in the working out of this righteousness; to him it is a righteousness by faith; this is the kind of righteousness that is presented to faith and received by it. What is meant by receiving this righteousness of God? Halyburton puts it somewhat after this fashion—when the gospel, in which is revealed the righteousness of God by faith, is being presented, the believer listening to the good news is heartily consenting to God’s way of salvation. His understanding is laying hold of it, his conscience is satisfied with it, the affection of his heart is won by God’s wonderful way of salvation so glorifying to Himself and so eternally beneficial to the saved sinner. With such a message as this well may the preacher go forth with hope and his hearers sit listening with joy to the gladdest message that ever fell on mortal ears. Why is it that this note is so seldom heard in modern preaching—even among those who esteem themselves as free from modern tendencies? We are not sounding the trumpet as the Reformers did. The truths enshrined in the doctrine of justification by faith are glorifying to God and are strengthening and comforting to His heritage.