Justification From Sin

Illustration of a prisoner.Term justify denote the fact that

through Jesus Christ, the sinner may be absolved of his transgressions.

How Does God Justify Man?

• In considering Justification:– God is the judge.– His Word is the law.– Our Sin is the transgression of that law.

• In theory, God may justify in 2 ways: – Because he is innocent.– God can pardon the man.

• God has chosen to justify in the latter way, when necessary.

Justified by innocence?

• In this event, man would be justified because he was good and deserved it. He would have a right to demand to be released.

• This is not common with man. Rom. 3:23• 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the

glory of God;• Would involve never speaking an unkind word,

never doing a wrong deed, never thinking an evil thought, a perfect life. Forgiveness not needed.

Justified by a Pardon• Since man is actually guilty of sin, he must

depend upon the grace of God, rather than his own merit.

• The pardon is extended because the debt of sin has been paid by the blood of Christ. Rom. 3:24

• 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

• Justice requires there be punishment for sin. Christ bears the punishment for us, and in light of that fact, God forgives us, justifies us, finds us not guilty.

• Justification must be accepted to be of value.• Must meet conditions set by God.

Justified by works of the Law?• Many Jews in Christ’s time thought they could be saved

by virtue of keeping the law of Moses. Rom. 3:20, Gal. 2:16.

• 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.

• 6 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

• Mankind, in general, didn’t keep the law perfectly, thus a need for pardon. Only 2 men did: Elijah and Christ.

Justified by Faith

• Theme of the book of Romans- we attain justification by faith. Rom. 3:28, 4:22.

• 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

• 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

• Abraham’s faith in God to keep His promises, imputed his justification/righteousness.

James vs. Paul on Justification• Jms. 2:21-24 Abraham was justified by works. • 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when

he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?• 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by

works was faith made perfect?• 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham

believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

• 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

• Rom. 4:1-3 Abraham justified by faith.• 1 ¶ What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as

pertaining to the flesh, hath found?• 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

• 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

James vs. Paul on Justification• Contradictory? Not at all. 2 different kinds of

works mentioned. • Paul was speaking of works of merit or the law.

Cannot earn our salvation.• James was refuting the teaching that justification

is procured by faith only, and shows that any faith, to be saving, must also be working. “not by faith only” and “faith without works is dead” specifically mentioned.

• Thus, a truth is realized, no such thing as “faith only” or “work only” justifying a man.

The Elements of Justification

• God’s Grace. Tit.3:7• 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made

heirs according to the hope of eternal life.• Blood of Christ. Rom. 5:9• 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we

shall be saved from wrath through him.• By Faith. Rom. 5:1• 1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace

with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:• By Works. Jms. 2:24• 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and

not by faith only.• All these are necessary for justification.

The Elements of Justification

• Without God’s grace, the blood of Christ would never have been shed to pay the price for sin.

• Without faith, our works would be mere empty actions, yet without works our faith would be dead and of no value.

• Doctrine of faith only is wrong because it denies that works play a part in our justification, and it denies that the blood of Christ has anything to do with salvation.

The Elements of Justification

• Key: One may factually believe in Christ, but you must also trust Him. Jn. 12:42-43, Jms. 2:19

• 42 ¶ Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

• 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

• 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

The Elements of Justification

• Key: One may factually believe in Christ, but you must also trust Him. Jn. 12:42-43, Jms. 2:19

• The faith that justifies is the one that obeys. Rom. 1:5, 16:26.

• 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

• 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Baptism and Justification

• Many deny that baptism plays any part in justification, considering it a work of merit.

• Baptism is an act of faith. One is baptized because he has faith in Christ and realizes that baptism is a divine command.

• When we are baptized into Christ , we are justified by faith, because our faith has led us to be baptized. Until we are baptized, our faith does not justify us, because we have not obeyed.

Conclusion

• We must always conform to God’s will. • To do so, we must learn His will and

desire to obey it.• Thus, we have works based upon our faith

understood from His system of faith.• Thus we follow the path which allows

Christ’s blood to flow for our sins through baptism. Salvation comes by justification as promised.