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WE BELIEVE THAT THE GREAT GOSPEL
BLESSING WHICH CHRIST SECURES TO SUCH AS BELIEVE IN HIM IS JUSTIFICATION: THAT
INCLUDES THE PARDON OF SIN, AND THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE ON PRINCIPLES OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT IT IS BESTOWED, NOT IN CONSIDERATION OF ANY WORKS OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT SOLELY THROUGH FAITH IN THE REDEEMER’S
BLOOD; BY VIRTUE OF WHICH FAITH HIS PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FREELY IMPUTED TO
US BY GOD; THAT IT BRINGS US INTO A STATE OF MOST BLESSED PEACE AND FAVOR WITH
GOD, AND SECURES EVERY OTHER BLESSINGS NEEDFUL FOR TIME AND ETERNITY.
Romans 5:9, "Much
more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through him."
Defined:
Justification is that
instantaneous, everlasting, gracious, free, judicial act of God, whereby, on
account of the merit of Christ’s blood and righteousness, a repentant,
believing sinner is freed from the penalty of the law, restored to God’s
favor, and considered as possessing the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ;
by virtue of all of which he receives adoption as a son.
A shorter definition is: being
right with God.
Some thoughts about
justification.
1. Justification is not the cause
of salvation.
2. Justification is the result
of faith in Christ (in the initial salvation experience). It is because we are
already saved by the everlasting grace of God that we stand before him
as justified. His blood has covered our sins, therefore we are perfect before
God Almighty – therefore we are justified before God.
3. Justification by works is
the result of spiritual obedience in the flesh.
a. This is also called
progressive sanctification.
b. Rom. 12:1 - Our reasonable
service to God is to present our bodies a living sacrifice.
4. Phil. 2:12 - Work out your
own salvation.
5. Romans 5:9 - Note two
tenses.
We are now justified
by his blood.
We shall be saved from
wrath through him.
SOME TERMS USED TO
EXPLAIN JUSTIFICATION
Expiation, Propitiation (Ex
pee ay' shuhn; Proh pih tee ay' shuhn) Terms used by Christian theologians
in attempts to define and explain the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross
as it relates to God and to believers. Expiation emphasizes the removal of
guilt through a payment of the penalty, while propitiation emphasizes the
appeasement or averting of God’s wrath and justice. Both words are related
to reconciliation, since it is through Christ’s death on the cross for
our sins that we are reconciled to a God of holy love (Rom. 5:9-11; 2 Cor.
5:18-21; Col. 1:19-23).
Redeem, Redemption, Redeemer
To pay the required price to secure the release of a convicted criminal, the
process therein involved, and the person making the payment. In early use the
idea and the words related to legal and commercial activities. They provided
biblical writers with one of the most basic and dynamic images for describing
God’s saving activity toward mankind.
I. "WE BELIEVE THAT THE
GREAT GOSPEL BLESSING WHICH CHRIST SECURES TO SUCH AS BELIEVE IN HIM IS
JUSTIFICATION."
A. The words justify,
justification, righteousness, righteousness, just, right, meet, are all
translations of the same root word in the Greek language. This means that all
these words have a general meaning that is common to all of them, even though
their individual meaning may differ slightly.
B. Justification is not always
talking about salvation, but justification is always talking about being right.
1. God is justified.
a. Luke 7:29 - And all the
people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with
the baptism of John.
b. I Tim. 3:16 - And
without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in
the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
c. No part of the Godhead had
to be "saved", but all the trinity is right, whether accepted by
man or not.
2. Men justify themselves.
a. II Corinthians 10:12, "For
we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some
that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and
comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
b. Luke 10:29 "But
he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my
neighbour?" When the lawyer wanted Jesus to say he was okay
spiritually, Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan.
3. Justification in two other
senses, which is the remainder of this topic:
a. Justification of the
Spirit – Romans 3:19-4:11
b. Justification on the flesh
– James 2:8-26.
4. Justification is only one
word that gives a partial description of salvation.
a. Sanctification is being
set aside by God.
1) In Election through
predestination.
2) In setting aside the
individual for forgiveness of original sin.
3) In setting aside the
individual for a pure life before God and man.
b. Justification is being
made right before God.
1) God gives us of his
righteousness and takes our sinfulness upon himself.
2) In time, God makes our
spirits right at the time of salvation.
3) In time, God works in
our lives so our lives will be right before God.
c. Glorification is the
redemption of the body.
1) God has assured us of
glorification when he elected us to salvation.
2) In time, the salvation
of our spirits is the first step in our glorification.
3) In the future, at the
resurrection, we will be given a new body, which will never sin.
C. Justification in salvation. (Internal
- to God) Isaiah 53:11 - He shall see of the travail of his soul, and
shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify
many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
1. Luke 18:9-14 - The Pharisee
and the Publican.
a. The publican asked for
mercy, not justice. He received mercy and justification, not justice.
b. The Pharisee remembered his
goodness before God, did not ask for mercy. He didn’t receive mercy or
justification. He did receive justice.
2. Now we’ll study how
this justification comes to us.
D. Rom. 3:19-31.
1. Verse 24 - justified by
grace (unmerited {undeserved} favor)
2. Verse 24,25 - justified by
blood.
3. Verse 28 - Justified by
faith without the deeds of the law.
a. Rom. 5:1 - justified by
faith, we have peace with God.
b. Rom. 5:10 - Justified by
blood (now).
c. Impute - To count,
account, reckon (Rom. 4:6,7,11). The internal justification of
Abraham was by faith.
E. Justification in the Bible
sense is the act of God removing from the believing sinner, his guilt and
the penalty of that guilt, and imputing or giving a righteousness, which was
worked out by Christ Himself in whom the believer stands, not only innocent and
not condemned, but actually righteous as far as the legality of the law is
concerned for time and for eternity.
1. It takes more than God
loving a sinner for that sinner to be saved. It takes a love that is
effectual. That is – a love that can do something about our sins. A parent
has love for their children, but they do not have an effectual love. When a
child is sick, the parent can do many things, but the parent cannot make the
child well again. Jesus can make the child well because he has an effectual
love. This doesn’t deny the love of God, but shows us more about what God
did to gain our redemption. True love always produces that which
is good.
2. Justification is a legal
term concerning the law. God is the judge and man is the defendant. God is the
lawgiver and man is the lawbreaker.
3. Sin is the transgression of
God’s law. I John 3:4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also
the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
4. All men have sinned and
broken God’s law. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of
the glory of God:" Romans 3:10 "There is none righteous, no,
not one."
5. Since we have all sinned we
all deserve to die under the penalty of sin. Romans 6:23, "For the
wages of sin is death..."
6. This is where justification
comes in. "It is that particular aspect of salvation which consists of
deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin. It is the legal aspect of
salvation in which one has right standing before God as lawgiver. So far as
guilt and condemnation are concerned, the believer is as perfect as if he had
never sinned." (C. D. Cole)
F. Justification is a blessing
from God given to those who believe in Christ Jesus.
1. God is the author of
justification.
a. Romans 8:30 –
Justification is only one of many blessings we receive at salvation.
b. Rom. 8:33 – It is God
that justifies.
c. Rom. 3:24 – We are
justified freely through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Beginning
in verse 10, Paul reveals how wicked all sinners are. It is not by the deeds
of the law that we are justified, but we are justified without the law by
the righteousness of Christ.
2. It is a blessing received
through Jesus.
a. John 1:16 – "And
of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."
b. Ephesians 3:8 – "Unto
me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I
should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;"
3. It is a blessing enjoyed by
all who believe.
a. Acts 13:39 – "And
by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could
not be justified by the law of Moses."
b. Isaiah 3:11-12 – "Woe
unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall
be given him. 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women
rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and
destroy the way of thy paths."
c. Romans 3:1 – "What
advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?"
II. "THAT JUSTIFICATION
INCLUDES THE PARDON OF SIN, AND THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE ON PRINCIPLES OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS."
A. When the sinner is justified
he is forgiven of all his sins. He receives a full pardon from God who is the
judge.
B. The blessings that the gift of
justification brings are forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life along with
every other blessing needful.
1. Romans 5:9 "Being
justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
2. Zechariah 13:1 – "In
that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the
inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."
3. Matthew 9:6 – "But
that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,
(then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto
thine house."
4. Acts 10:43 – "To
him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth
in him shall receive remission of sins."
C. Other scriptures that teach
this to be true:
1. Romans 5:17 – "For
if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive
abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by
one, Jesus Christ.)"
2. Titus 3:5-6 – "Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;"
3. I John 2:25 – "And
this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."
4. Romans 5:21 – "That
as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through
righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
III. "THAT IT IS
BESTOWED, NOT IN CONSIDERATION OF ANY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE,
BUT SOLELY THROUGH FAITH IN THE REDEEMER’S BLOOD; BY VIRTUE OF WHICH FAITH HIS
PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FREELY IMPUTED TO US BY GOD."
A. The following verses in Romans
show God’s part in redeeming the sinner from eternal damnation.
1. Romans 3:20 – "Therefore
by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by
the law is the knowledge of sin." – The deeds of the law (works of
the flesh) will not bring salvation.
2. Romans 3:24 – "Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus" – Our justification comes free to us by His grace, through
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
3. Romans 3:26 – "To
declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the
justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." – Jesus is the
justifier of our sinfulness because He shed His righteous (sinless) blood for
us.
4. Romans 3:28 – "Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the
law." – The above is concluded that we are saved by faith without
the deeds of the law.
5. Romans 3:30 – "Seeing
it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and
uncircumcision through faith." – The one God, who justifies all
through faith, does not make void the law, rather the law is established.
6. Romans 4:2 – "For
if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before
God." – Abraham was justified when he believed God, and the
righteousness of God was counted (imputed) to him. (Gen. 15:6 takes place some
11 years after Abraham leaves Ur. Abraham is probably about 86 years old in
Gen. 15.
7. Romans 4:5 – "But
to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his
faith is counted for righteousness." – The ungodly can receive the
righteousness of God by believing on him who justifies the ungodly (Jesus
Christ).
B. Romans 4:4-5 – "Now
to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to
him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his
faith is counted for righteousness."
1. Paul tells us in these
verses that we are justified not by what we do, but by what Jesus has already
done for us.
2. There is no way a lost
sinner can justify himself. All are guilty of sin.
3. There is nothing in the
sinner that causes God to declare them justified, which simply means they
stand before God, "Just as if I had never sinned".
C. It is God’s love that causes
him to have mercy on them.
1. Romans 3:24 – "Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus:"
2. Romans 5:21 – "That
as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through
righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
3. Romans 6:23 – "For
the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord."
D. The word "GRACE"
means, "unmerited favor, kindness or service freely rendered". The
unmerited favor of God toward man through His Son Jesus Christ.
E. God never justifies sinners
because of what they do "for all have sinned".
1. Romans 3:23 - "For
the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord."
2. No human can declare us
guiltless of God’s law.
3. Only God can do this. Romans
8:33 states, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?
It is God that justifieth."
F. It is only when God imputes
(charges) our sin to Christ and Christ’s righteousness to us that we can be
justified or receive a full pardon from our sins.
1. God charges the sinners sins
to Jesus and charges the righteousness of Christ to the sinner. II Corinthians
5:21 states, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
2. God declares sinners just on
the grounds of the works and blood of Jesus. Jesus assumed the responsibility
of our sin debt and paid it in full with His own life. Romans 5:19 states, "For
as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of
one shall many be made righteous."
G. Other scriptures that teach
this to be true:
1. Romans 5:21 – "That
as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through
righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
2. Romans 3:24-26 – "Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that
he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
3. Romans 4:23-25 – "Now
it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for
us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up
Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was
raised again for our justification."
4. Romans 6:23 – "For
the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord."
5. Philippians 3:7-9 – "But
what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless,
and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine
own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of
Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
6. I John 2:21 – "I
have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know
it, and that no lie is of the truth."
IV. "THAT IT BRINGS US
INTO A STATE OF MOST BLESSED PEACE AND FAVOR WITH GOD, AND SECURES EVERY OTHER
BLESSINGS NEEDFUL FOR TIME AND ETERNITY."
A. In justifying the sinner in
spite of his own guilt for Jesus’ sake God the Father gives unto the believer
forever all the blessings needed for eternity and time.
B. Romans 5:1-2, "Being
justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: by
who also we have access by faith into this grace where in we stand and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God."
C. The sinner that has been
justified in the sight of God is secure in Jesus Christ forever and has much to
rejoice in. Romans 4:6 states, "Even as David also describeth the
blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without
works,"
D. Other scriptures that teach
this to be true:
1. Romans 5:11 – "And
not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we
have now received the atonement."
2. Romans 5:3 – "And
not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;"
3. I Corinthians 1:30-31 – "But
of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is
written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
4. Matthew 6:33 – "But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you."
5. I Timothy 4:8 – "For
bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things,
having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
V. Justified in works (External
- to God and men) People who believe you can be saved and not work for
Christ; are not saved.
A. Compare Rom. 2:13 - Doers of
the law are justified, and Rom. 3:28 - Justified without the deeds of the law.
1. People are not redeemed
from the Adamic nature by works of the law (outward works done in the body.)
2. Rom. 2:13 is in
parenthesis (along with verse 13-15). Those verses are an explanation of
verse 12.
3. It doesn’t make any
difference if they have the law or not for (verse 11), there is no respect
of persons with God - all perish without Christ.
4. The explanation:
a. Read all of verse 13 -
it does no good to just hear the law, but you must do the law.
b. John 6:28,29 - doing the
works of God shows that you are believing in Christ (for redemption and
living).
B. Justified in James - James
1:22 - Be ye doers of the word, not hearers only. This is an active, living,
believing in Christ. (For a verse by verse commentary, see my notes on James
2:14-16.)
C. James 2:8-16 - The Royal law
and justified by works.
1. Verse 8 - The "Royal
Law" is the real purpose of the law - love. Mark 12:28-31 - The
greatest commandment in the law is love.
2. Verse 14 - The question -
is a person really saved if he has no works?
3. Verse 15-17 - An example
of a useless word of encouragement with no food or clothes, to back it up.
4. Verse 18a - Statement that
it is impossible to reveal faith without works by that faith. Man looks on
the outward work to discover an inward faith.
5. Verse 19 - It’s not
enough to believe in one God for the devils also believe in one God and they
are not justified and will spend eternity in hell.
6. Verse 20 - The believing
we have must be the kind of believing that causes us to act.
7. Verse 21-24 - An example
of justification in salvation and justification in works.
a. Gen. 22 - Abraham
justified by works after Isaac was born and was a young man.
b. Gen. 15:6 & Gal. 3:6
- Abraham was justified in salvation before Isaac was born. (This is when
he believed in the promise of the Lord and the Lord counted it to him for
righteousness.)
8. Verse 25 - Another example
of justification in salvation and justification by works.
a. Rahab first believed in
God. Joshua 2:10 - when they heard. Believed in Deut. 2:31.
b. Rahab then put that
faith in action and helped the spies (40 years after the inhabitants of
Jericho heard.)
9. Verse 26 - The grand
conclusion.
a. There is no life in the
body if there is no spirit in the body.
b. There is no believing
faith in Christ if that believing faith produces no works.
VI. Conclusion
- Eph. 2:8-10
A. Eph. 2:8,9 - Salvation is by
grace through faith, not of any works on our part.
B. Eph. 2:10 - After we
are saved, we continue to be the workmanship of God and anything we do for God
that will last throughout eternity must be done by grace through faith.
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