Step 4. Justification.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Matt. 5:6

Shorter Version

We came to find true and lasting happiness by taking this fourth step:

I have tried living the way I thought was right but my soul was left so hungry and thirsty that I sought comfort in my vices, only to find I could not escape their grip^A. When I fully accepted God’s undeserved gift of love and righteousness at Christ’s expense^B, I finally discovered the only thing that can satisfy my empty soul^C.

^A John 8:34.   ^B Eph. 2:8, 1Pet. 2:24, 2Cor. 5:21.   ^C Is. 55:1-7.

Longer Version

We came to find true and lasting happiness by taking this fourth step:

I have tried living the way I thought was right and set my own standards of righteousness but this left my soul so hungry and thirsty that I sought comfort in my vices, only to find I could not escape their grip^A. The more I looked to the Law of Christ, the more I discovered that my vice is not my only problem; every part of my life is achingly empty and wrong^B. Now I accept that only thing that can satisfy my empty soul is resting^C in the promise of the gospel: Out of pure undeserved love for me^D, God made Christ, who knew no sin, to become sin for me when he bore the punishment I deserved on the cross, so that in Christ I might become the righteousness of God^E. This is an undeserved gift I had to receive from God by faith alone^F. Although^G my conscience continues to accuse me that I have grievously sinned against all God's commandments, have never kept any of them^H,  and am still inclined to all evil^I,  yet God, without any merit of my own^J, out of mere grace^K,  imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ^L. He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me, if only I accept this gift with a believing heart.

^A John 8:34.  ^B Rom 7:7.   ^C Mat. 11:28-30.   ^D Eph. 2:8.   ^E 2Cor. 5:21. 1Pet. 2:24. Rom. 6:23.  ^F Eph 2:4-9. ^G Heidelberg Catechism A. 60.   ^H Rom 7:7.   ^I Rom 7:23.   ^J Deut 9:6; Ezek 36:22; Tit 3:4, 5.   ^K Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8.   ^L Rom 4:3-5; 2 Cor 5:17-19; 1 Jn 2:1, 2. ^M Rom 4:24, 25; 2 Cor 5:21.   ^N Jn 3:18; Acts 16:30, 31; Rom 3:22.