​​​​Consider this doctrine: You are justified in one distinct and irreversible moment: when the Holy Spirit applies Christ to you personally.

 

The Doctrine Opened 

The Puritan Thomas Goodwin (1600–1680) saw three “moments” of justification. First, in eternity past, in the covenant of redemption, the substitutionary double imputation took place: The Father, Son, and Spirit decreed to make the righteousness of the Son a gift to His Bride and that His cursed death would purchase their pardon. This gospel is the “wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7). Second, the redemption of God’s elect people was transacted in history once and for all by the finished work of Christ on the cross. As federal head and covenantal Mediator, Christ accomplished God’s decreed mission. “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” (John 17:4) Third, when an individual personally lays hold of the forgiveness of sins and Christ’s righteousness through the effectual calling and regeneration of the Holy Spirit. “God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

The whole scope of God’s decree to justify you is breathtaking. Understanding this theology, however, does not justify you. You are not justified until the Holy Spirit washes you with regeneration. “[H]e saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5) This is what your baptism illustrates. You remain dead in Adam’s curse until the Spirit renews you or makes you new in Christ, joined to Him who is the last Adam, the firstborn of the new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

In justification, Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice. How does this happen? Paul wrote that your regeneration takes place through Christ pouring out the Holy Spirit richly upon His church, “so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7) Only those are saved who by true faith are grafted into Christ. Only after the Holy Spirit unites you to Christ can you enjoy all of His blessings. 

 

Significance

The washing of the Spirit is a spiritual reality. To grow our faith, He instituted a sacrament to make this gospel word visible. Baptism is the dramatization of the Holy Spirit’s washing of regeneration. Baptism is a celebration of your justification. The elect have a legal right to justification, but do not yet possess it before regeneration. The elect can only possess it once they profess faith in Christ. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13) The salvation that Christ accomplished is only truly yours if you have received the Holy Spirit’s washing of regeneration. Only then are you united to your Savior, Jesus Christ. Only then is your sin washed away by His blood. Only then can you claim His righteousness as your own.

 

Doxology

Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth

Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King”

 

Pray through Matthew 6:10 and Romans 8:30

 

Hallowed by Thy name, O Triune Creator, my God.

Thank you for electing me to belong to you, O God my Father. Thank you for calling me to belong to you by the word of God. 

Thank you for regenerating me and washing me, O Holy Spirit. Thank you for accomplishing my justification, O God the Son. 

Thank you for sanctifying me, O Holy Spirit. I trust that one day you will glorify me in Christ.

May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

For Christ’s sake, I pray.

Amen.

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About the Author:  Jason Edwards is the preaching pastor of Reformed Heritage Church, in Parker, Colorado.