Sola Fide

Pastor Martin opens the second negative of the Larger Catechism: the ground of justification is not anything wrought in us by the gracious work of the Spirit. He acknowledges that God always sanctifies whom He justifies, but insists that nothing of that internal work - new heart, new affections, repentance, growing holiness - forms any part of the legal ground of justification. The righteousness justifying us is a God-righteousness in Christ, external to us, received only by faith.

Pastor Martin closes the catechism's definition of justification by treating its final clause: justification is received by faith alone. He marshals the testimony of Scripture from Romans 3-5, Galatians 2-3, Philippians 3, and Ephesians 2 to show faith is the sole instrument; defines justifying faith as a Spirit-wrought, conviction-born receiving and resting upon Christ; and explains why faith alone - because it is wholly receptive, an empty hand that takes what God gives. He closes with a member's surgery testimony of resting on Christ alone in the face of death.