Here is a great link to Philip Ryken, senior minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church, and his excellent article, Justification and Union with Christ. This is a very clear (and lengthy!) treatment and explanation of these two vital doctrines that we hold to!This is how he begins the article. It doesn't get much better than this:
If there is one thing I love in life, it is the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. This is the biblical truth that liberates me from the crushing burden of ever having to stand before God on my own merit, but covers me instead with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
He also quotes John Wesley briefly:If we take the phrase of imputing Christ’s righteousness, for the bestowing (as it were) the righteousness of Christ, including his obedience, as well passive as active, in the return of it, that is, in the privileges, blessings, and benefits purchased it; so a believer may be said to be justified by the righteousness of Christ imputed. The meaning is, God justifies the believer for the sake of Christ’s righteousness, and not for any righteousness of his own.
I recommend it for you reading.
