Reformation: Justification
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. Romans 4:5:
What good would all the money in the world do you if you were dead? What joy would sunshine give you if you locked yourself away inside? Or what gladness would all of spring’s bright green bring if you refused to open your eyes?
God has declared you righteous in Christ. This is an objective fact truer and brighter and better than the rising sun. But only by faith can this be received. You see, justification is a free gift and promise. God’s declaration of righteousness and forgiveness is indeed for all, but it does no one any good unless they believe it. Just as a gift that is scorned profits nothing.
So like the sun might warm you and gently invite you to step outside and feel it, the objective and universal nature of justification is proclaimed, and this sweet preaching invites and calls forth faith. This is the subjective reception, like opening a gift.
The only condition is the condition of faith. Faith does not make justification true. Faith receives it because it is true. Faith does not cause forgiveness; it believes it. And it is only faith that can. Because that is what faith is. God is not holding out a contract to be signed, He is not offering conditions to be met, He is not sending you on a quest to earn something. He is delivering to you a gift. The only thing to do is to rejoice in it! That is why we who boast in faith boast only in the Lord.
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law… But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness… Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure.” (Romans 3, 4)
God loved the world so that He gave His only Son the lost to save,
That all who would in Him believe should everlasting life receive.
Lutheran Service Book 571:1.