In the opening paragraph of this essay, Bonar speaks of justification and assurance. There is justification resulting from believing the gospel and there is assurance of that justification from believing God’s promise. The central issue of this essay, to put in oversimplified terms, is that Christ saves, not faith. Faith applies the atonement to individual believers, but in and of itself it lacks a salvific nature.
Faith is not our righteousness. It is accounted as righteousness, but is not righteousness itself. If there is righteousness in us (if we have faith), then it contradicts the need for the righteousness of Christ which is by faith. Faith imputes righteousness, but is distinct from it. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Kendrick 
