9 January 2021
On Justification
When I come before the
judgment throne, I will plead the promise of God in the shed blood of Jesus
Christ. I will not plead any work that I have done, although I will thank God
that he has enabled me to do some good. I will plead merit other than the
merits of Christ, knowing that the merits of Mary and the saint are all from
him; and for their company, their example, and their prayer throughout my
earthly life I will give everlasting thanks. I will not plead that I had faith,
for sometimes I was unsure of my faith, and in any event, that would be to turn
faith into a meritorious work of my own. I will not plead that I held the
correct understanding of "justification by faith alone," although I
will thank God that he led me to know ever more fully the great truth that much
misunderstood formulation was intended to protect. Whatever little growth in
holiness I have experienced, whatever strength I have received from the company
of the saints, whatever understanding I have attained of God and his way -
these and all other gifts received I will bring gratefully to the throne. But
in seeking entry to that heavenly kingdom, I will ... look to Christ and Christ
alone.
Richard John Neuhaus
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