5 Sermon Illustrations on Justification

Justification is instantaneous; sanctification is a long growth. Justification is the act of God whereby He takes a man who is dead in trespasses and sins and says, "I create within you the new life of Christ and now I look upon you and see you just as perfect as I see the Lord Jesus Christ." Justification is the act of God whereby he declares an ungodly man to be perfect while he is still ungodly. It is as extraordinary a thing as if you were able to say that the caterpillar is really a beautiful butterfly. "Oh," you say, "but it isn't! It still looks like a caterpillar." Well, that is exactly what God does with us. He comes to us in our "caterpillar status" and declares us to be "butterflies." In reality, that is what happens in nature, too; that caterpillar does become a butterfly. For God has given us this remarkable picture of metamorphosis-that which goes into the cocoon as a worm comes out as a butterfly, for it lives part of its life in one state and part in another. We call this process metamorphosis. It is very interesting to note the Greek word used in Romans 12:2 : "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed (metamorphosed) by the renewing of your mind." The Human Tiger A French explorer was crossing Africa from the Zambezi and came into the region of the Barotsi people. He had heard stories about the native king Lewanika, whose greatest delight had been to put to death, by newly invented tortures, those who offended him. He was also known as the "human tiger." This French officer came to the station where Pastor Coillard was in charge, and the pastor himself, a Frenchman, entertained him kindly. Then came Sunday. The French officer was absolutely without God, but as a matter of politeness he went to church and sat through the service. When he came out he said, "Monsieur Coillard, who was that remarkable looking man sitting next to me, who listened so carefully?" That was King Lewanika, the 'human tiger.'" "Was it?" "Yes." "Then if that is what Christ can do, I mean to be His."

Some harbors have bars of sand which lie across the entrance, and prohibit the access of ships at low water. There is a bar, not of sand, but of adamantine rock, the bar of divine justice, which lies between a sinner and heaven. Christ's righteousness is the high water, that carries a believing sinner over this bar, and transmits him safe to the land of eternal rest. Our own righteousness is the low water, which will fail us in our greatest need, and will ever leave us short of the heavenly Canaan.

— Salter

HERVEY'S RECANTATION.

"If it be shameful to renounce error," says Mr. Hervey, "and sacrifice to truth. I do very willingly take this shame to myself, in a copy of verses which I formerly wrote, sacred to the memory of a generous benefactor. I remember the following lines:

"Our wants relieved by thy indulgent care Shall give thee courage at the dreadful bar, And shalt the crown thou shalt for ever wear"

These lines, in whatever hands they are lodged, and whatever else of a like kind may have dropt from my pen, I now publicly disclaim; they are the very reverse of my present belief, in which I hope to persevere as long as I have any being. Far be it from me to suppose that any work of mine should, in order to create my peace, or cherish my confidence, be coupled with Christ's most holy acts. I speak the words of our church, and I speak the sense of the prophet, "I will trust, and not be afraid;" wherefore? because I am inherently holy? rather God is my salvation; God manifest in the flesh has finished my transgression, and made an end of my sin; and in this most magnificent work will I rejoice. Thy Maker is thy husband: the consequence of which is, all thy debts and deficiencies are upon him, all his consummate righteousness is upon thee."