Every believer rejoices in the accomplished redemption of our Savior. He suffered the wrath of God in our stead upon the cross of Calvary and reconciled us to God. It is true that we trust the Lord Jesus Christ, but we know without question that our believing never put one sin away; faith had no part in satisfying divine justice. All that a holy God required for the removal of our sin-debt was completed by our blessed Savior. God can demand no more than that glorious work of redemption which our Substitute has finished. The price is paid, the debt has been retired, and the sins of Christ's people have been put away in a just and righteous way. "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10).
Having said that, let me emphasize this: never imagine that since the legal matter of the salvation of sinners has been forever settled that somehow or other the significance of faith in Christ is diminished or rendered unnecessary. The promises of God concerning salvation, pardon and acceptance are only to those who believe Christ. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: By Him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38-39). The Scripture declares "By grace are ye saved through faith." It is rightly put – "through faith" – not apart from faith, but "through faith." Faith is the channel through which the salvation accomplished by Christ comes to the sinner. Faith is the hand that takes the Water of life freely and drinks to the satisfaction of a thirsty heart. Is faith a gift of the Spirit of grace? No question about it, but the Spirit does not do the believing, the regenerated sinner does. There is no word of comfort or peace spoken in the Word of God to anyone who does not believe the Son of God.
The Scriptures are crystal clear about what Christ did on the cross. "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). As far as God was concerned the legalities of salvation were settled in the death of Christ. The honor of a broken law was upheld in the penal sufferings and death of the Son of God. In my heart, however, I can have no assurance whatsoever that the death of Christ was for me unless the Holy Spirit has brought me to rely upon the dear Lord Jesus for all of my acceptance with a holy God. If my soul rests solely upon Christ, then I can have the peace in my heart of knowing that all God demanded of this poor sinner has been fully rendered to divine justice by my all-sufficient Representative. This resting solely upon Christ is called "faith."
In the matter of the salvation of sinners, the Father did the choosing, the Son did the redeeming and the Spirit does the quickening. It is this regenerating work of the Spirit of Christ that results in, but is not the cause of, our believing. Never emphasize one work of grace to the exclusion of the others. Each of the following statements is true. No sheep given to the Shepherd in the covenant of grace shall perish. No sinner for whom Christ died shall suffer the consequences of offended justice. No one chosen in grace and redeemed by blood shall fail to be effectually called by the Holy Spirit and brought to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.