Q.72. What is justifying faith?

A. Justifying faith is a saving grace,[i] wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit[k] and word of God,[l] whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition,[m] not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel,[n] but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin,[o] and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.[p]

[i] Heb. 10:39.

[k] 2 Cor. 4:13. Eph. 1:17-19.

[l] Rom. 10:14,17.

[m] Acts 2:37. Acts 16:30. John 16:8,9. Rom. 5:6. Eph. 2:1. Acts 4:12.

[n] Eph. 1:13.

[o] John 1:12. Acts 16:31. Acts 10:43.

[p] Phil. 3:9. Acts 15:11.

Q.73. How doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God?

A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it,[q] nor as if the grace of faith, or any act thereof; were imputed to him for his justification;[r] but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousness.[s]

[q] Gal. 3:11. Rom. 3:28.

[r] Rom. 4:5. Compared with Rom. 10:10.

[s] John 1:12. Phil. 3:9. Gal. 2:16.