JUSTIFICATION.
The only way a man can be brought within the family of God is by the blood, as it is said in Romans iii. 24, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”; and again in Romans v. 9, “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Justified from all things from which we could not be by the law of Moses. When God looks into His ledger, there is nothing found against the man who is washed in the blood. One plunge in the crimson fountain, and the sinner is justified in the sight of God. Christ was raised from the grave for the justification of all who put their trust in Him, and such are not only pardoned men but justified men. Justification is more than pardon. It is said of an emperor of Russia that he sent on one occasion for two noblemen who were charged with some conspiracy, and one he found to be perfectly innocent, so he sent him home justified; but the other was proved guilty, but was pardoned. They both returned home, but ever afterwards would stand very differently in the estimation of their sovereign and neighbours. From that may be seen the difference between pardon and justification.