Justification viewed negatively and positively

I have started another big book. Although I am still working my way through God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment: A Biblical Theology by Dr. Jim Hamilton The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin, I have begun reading Dr. Robert A. Peterson's Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ. I am enjoying this thorough investigation into all that Christ has done, particularly all that he has done for us. Some of the information is new to me, much of it is review, but beholding Christ's glory in this book is very valuable.


Here is a quote on justification that reminds us that justification has a powerful dual-perspective in terms of what it brings to us:

Justification views salvation in legal terms. God the Father, acting as Judge, declares righteous all sinners who trust Christ for deliverance. This declaration is based on Christ’s death viewed in “negative” and “positive” terms. Viewed negatively, Christ’s cross was a propitiation that turned away God’s wrath (3:25–26). Viewed positively, Christ’s cross was “one act of righteousness” (5:18) credited to the spiritual bank account of believers.