An excellent study is to review the work of the great reformers and their understanding of justification by faith. I urge you to read this great source of study for Reformation History. Luther spent much time in study and prayer and the Spirit showed him the light that it is not of our own doing but rather faith in what Christ did for us that justifies us with God. Think about the term "justice is served". The victory was already won at the cross but not until we reach out our hearts in faith and accept in humility that the victory is also ours, is there a completion of the justification process.
Once we understand the process, we must be willing to begin living a life of self-denial and giving our all to Christ so that the victory can become ours. We seek to have victory IN Jesus and become partakers with Him. We do not gain the victory but rather accept that Christ already gained the victory and offers it to each of us and we are thus united with the Victor.
We need to lay down our lives at the foot of the cross to gain the beautiful peace that comes from being reconciled with God through the victory that is ours if we are willing to accept it, grasp it, take hold, and don't look back...only looking forward to eternity with our Redeemer.
Here are a few wonderful readings from EGW that share more about this. And of course, it does us well to spend time in Romans to understand the victory of the cross.
"Forgiveness at the Cross: Before the cross the sinner sees his unlikeness of character to Christ. He sees the terrible consequences of transgression; he hates the sin that he has practiced, and he lays hold upon Jesus by living faith. He has judged his position of uncleanness in the light of the presence of God and the heavenly intelligences. He has measured it by the standard of the cross. He has weighed it in the balances of the sanctuary. The purity of Christ has revealed to him his own impurity in its odious colors. He turns from the defiling sin; he looks to Jesus, and lives." {TSB 108.3}
"When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, that his transgression has been forgiven, his sin covered. He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law, and faith toward Christ, who died for man’s justification. “Being justified by faith,” he has “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1." AA 476
"Through death Christ destroyed him that had the power of death. In the very act of grasping his prey, death was vanquished, for Christ’s death brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Never was the Son of God more beloved by His Father, the heavenly family, and by the worlds unfallen than when He humbled Himself to bear disgrace, humiliation, shame, and abuse." {12MR 410.2}
"When Christ bowed His head and died, He bore the pillars of Satan’s kingdom with Him to the earth. He vanquished Satan in our human nature. The nature by which the enemy was overcome is the same nature over which in Eden he obtained an easy victory. He sustained a humiliating defeat. He was overcome by the human nature of Christ. The power of the Saviour’s Godhead was hidden. He must overcome in human nature, relying upon God for His power. This is the privilege of all who accept Jesus Christ. In proportion to their faith will be their victory." {12MR 410.3}
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