The Remedy Which Faith Alone Finds In Jesus Christ Alone Against The Second Assault Of The First Temptation: "We Are Des
against them as a Judge, to condemn them, but as a Father who is chastising His children in order to prevent them from perishing (2 Cor. 6:9; Heb. 12:6; 2
Sam. 7:14), or to give an example to others (2 Sam. 12:13,14).
The remedy which faith alone finds in Jesus Christ alone against the second assault of the first temptation: "We are destitute of the righteousness which God justly demands from us"
Here is the second assault that Satan can raise against us on account of our unworthiness: It is not sufficient to have no sin, or to have satisfied for sins.
But more is necessary; that man should fulfil all the Law, that is to say, that he love God perfectly and his neighbour as himself (Deut. 17:26; Gal. 3:1012; Matt. 22:37-40). Bring therefore this righteousness, Satan win say to our poor conscience, or know well that you cannot escape the wrath and curse of God.
Now, against this assault, what will all men profit us except Christ alone? For it is a question of perfect obedience which is never found in any save in Jesus
Christ alone. Let us learn therefore here to appropriate to ourselves once more, by faith, another treasure of Jesus Christ: His righteousness. We know that it is He who has fulfilled all righteousness (Matt. 3:15: Phil. 2:8; Is.
53:11). He has given a perfect obedience and love to God His Bather, and has perfectly loved His enemies (Rom. 5:6-10) as far as being made a curse for them, as St. Paul says (Gal. 3:13); that is to say, as far as bearing, for them, the judgement of the wrath of God (Col. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:21). Thus, being clothed with this perfect righteousness which is given to us through faith, as if it were properly our own (Eph. 1:7-8), we can be acceptable to God (John
1:12; Rom. 8:17), as brothers and co-heirs of Jesus Christ.
On this point, Satan must of necessity close his mouth, provided we have the faith to receive Jesus Christ and all the benefits He possesses in order to communicate them to those who believe in Him (Rom. 8:33). The third assault of the same temptation: "The natural pollution, or original sin, which is in our persons, makes God hate us still"
There remains yet to Satan an assault with this temptation about our unworthiness, as follows: although you have satisfied for the penalty of your sins, in the Person of Jesus Christ, and are also, through faith, covered with