Over the centuries there have been those who agree that from eternity the elect of God have all spiritual blessings in Christ, including justification. It isn’t some new fangled doctrine thought up by a bunch of heretics for it has been discussed by all the greats of the faith and conclusions have been drawn for both views. I actually did a word study on ‘heretic’ recently. 

     As I continued my study and writing to further my blogging on this subject I found myself greatly agitated and wondering why. Reflecting upon that agitation I came to the conclusion that it was fueled by the recent virulent accusations against myself and the saints that I fellowship with in truth. It is an understandable human reaction to defend yourself and your beliefs when you are attacked and yet I found it very distasteful in myself. We stand before God, not men and so my own focus has been changed and I simply want to share a few things here. There is a plethora of material to read and to help further your own understanding, Lord willing of course! 

     John Gill, the beloved Baptist theologian in his “A Body of Doctrinal Divinity”, Book II, Chapter V, section II wrote his article “Justification as an Eternal and Immanent Act of God” and you can find that here. It is an enlightening read!

     I found the following article entitled “The Doctrine of Eternal Justification in Light of the Westminster Tradition” (2) extremely helpful in understanding the thoughts of those who don’t hold to Eternal Justification and those who do. This was found in the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal and the author of the article was responding to the rejection of the doctrine of eternal justification. Quoting from the article which can be found here.

“We consider that, as long as our justification 1) has its source in the immutable and absolute decree of God 2) has its objective basis in Christ’s satisfaction on the cross, and 3) has its subjective realization in the elect by faith, we cannot see why any should object to the presentation of the doctrine as a decree to justify. While the various aspects of justification ought to be distinguished, they may not be separated. It must be maintained that the decree is irrevocable.”

I hope the Lord will give you a desire to search the Scriptures to see if these things be true. 

“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the thing that are not done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” Isaiah 47:10

“Yea I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” Isaiah 47:11 b

Grace and Peace!