As to the point of justification; no man is, nor can be justified by the law. It is true, the Neonomians or Baxterians, to wind in a righteousness of our own into the case of justification, do turn the gospel into a law, properly so called; and do tell us, that the gospel justifieth as a law, and roundly own what is the necessary consequent of that doctrine, namely, that faith justifieth, as it is our evangelical righteousness, or our keeping the gospel law, which runs thus: He that believeth shall not perish. [Gibbon’s Ser. Morn. Ex. Meth. p. 418-421.] But the holy Scripture teaches, that we are justified by grace, and by no law nor deed, [or work of a law, properly so called,] call it the law of Christ, or the gospel law, or what law one pleaseth; and thereby faith itself, considered as a deed or work of a law, is excluded from the justification of a sinner, and hath place therein, only as an instrument. (Gal 3:11), “That no man is justified by a law in the sight of God, it is evident.”(5:4), “Whosoever of you are justified by a law, ye are fallen from grace.”(Rom 3:28), “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without deeds of a law.” (Gal 2:16), “Knowing that a man is not justified by works of a law.” I read, a law, deeds, works, simply; because so the original words, used in these texts, do undeniably signify.
Thomas Boston | Thomas Boston’s Notes, in Edward Fisher, The Marrow of Modern Divinity (Ross-Shire, UK: Christian Focus, 2009) 193.
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Surely this quotation points out the most pernicious root of error in Christianity, that since we are saved by faith, faith becomes a meritorious action, on our part, that is required of us to be saved. It is the object of our faith that saves us, and not the act of believing. Faith is the instrument, the empty hand that receives the righteousness of Christ for justification. Our strength or quality of faith must never be relied on as an assurance of acceptance with God. Even a faith the size of a mustard seed is sufficient for salvation, as long as its object is God our Savior, and Him alone.