Justification by Faith: The Foundation of Salvation

 

Summary

Faith is a timeless and central doctrine of Christianity, yet it remains ever new to each generation. The essence of faith, particularly justification by faith alone, is foundational to our understanding of the gospel. Romans chapter 4 serves as a profound illustration of this doctrine, using the example of Abraham to demonstrate that faith, not works, is the basis of righteousness before God. If salvation were contingent upon works, it would allow room for boasting, which is contrary to the glory of God. Instead, faith is the means by which we receive God's righteousness, a gift that cannot be earned.

The Reformers have helped us understand that faith comprises three components: notitia (knowledge), assensus (mental assent), and fiducia (trust). Faith is not a blind leap into the dark but is grounded in the knowledge of God's promises and the work of Christ. It involves intellectual assent to the truths of the gospel and a personal trust in Christ's redemptive work. This trust is not merely an intellectual exercise but an act of refuge, a resting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.

The necessity of faith becomes evident when we confront our sinfulness and the question, "How can I be right with God?" Many are unaware of their estrangement from God, anesthetized by distractions and false assurances. Yet, the gospel calls us to recognize our ungodliness and to cease striving for righteousness through works. Instead, we are to rest in the finished work of Christ, who bore our sins and clothed us in His righteousness.

Throughout history, the doctrine of justification by faith alone has faced challenges, yet it remains the bedrock of Christian belief. It is not only the means of our salvation but also the foundation for living a life of faith. As believers, we are called to continually remind ourselves of this truth and to live by faith, trusting in God's promises and His provision for our salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith is not a new concept, yet it remains ever new to each generation as it illuminates our hearts and brings new life, peace, and hope. The gospel of justification by faith alone is central to Christianity and is the seed of the new creation. [01:29]

- The contrast between faith and works is crucial. Works allow for boasting and steal glory from God, while faith acknowledges our complete dependence on God's grace. Faith is the only means by which we can receive God's righteousness, as it is a gift, not something earned. [04:34]

- Faith involves knowledge (notitia), mental assent (assensus), and trust (fiducia). It is not a blind leap but is grounded in the truths of the gospel. This understanding of faith calls us to rest in the sufficiency of Christ's work, ceasing from our own striving. [08:05]

- The necessity of faith becomes clear when we recognize our sinfulness and the futility of works. Faith is the only means by which we can be right with God, as it involves trusting in Christ's redemptive work and receiving His righteousness. [17:51]

- Justification by faith alone has faced challenges throughout history, yet it remains the foundation of Christian belief. It is essential for both our salvation and our daily walk with God, as we live by faith, trusting in His promises and provision. [36:27]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - The Timelessness of Faith
[01:29] - Justification by Faith Alone
[02:19] - Abraham as an Illustration
[03:55] - Faith vs. Works
[05:08] - The Glory of God in Salvation
[07:25] - Understanding Faith: Notitia, Assensus, Fiducia
[09:41] - The Object of Faith
[12:01] - The Misconception of Faith in Faith
[13:08] - The Propositions of the Gospel
[15:04] - Trusting in Christ Alone
[16:59] - The Necessity of Faith
[19:56] - The Futility of Works
[22:41] - Resting in Christ's Sacrifice
[27:09] - From Wrath to Peace
[30:02] - The Personal Application of Faith
[32:58] - The Exchange of Our Sins for Christ's Righteousness
[34:42] - Challenges to Justification by Faith Alone
[38:39] - Living by Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 4:1-8

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 4:1-8 illustrate about the relationship between faith and works in the context of justification? How does Paul use Abraham as an example? [02:19]

2. According to the sermon, what are the three components of faith as understood by the Reformers? How are these components reflected in the example of Abraham? [08:05]

3. How does the sermon describe the contrast between faith and works, particularly in terms of boasting and the glory of God? [04:34]

4. What role does David play in Romans 4, and how does his example contribute to the understanding of faith and righteousness? [16:59]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of justification by faith alone challenge the idea of earning salvation through works? What implications does this have for one's understanding of grace? [19:56]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that people are "anesthetized" to their sinful condition? How does this affect their perception of the necessity of faith? [18:59]

3. How does the sermon explain the importance of having the right object of faith, and why is it crucial to avoid having "faith in faith"? [12:01]

4. What does the sermon mean by describing faith as an "act of refuge"? How does this concept deepen the understanding of fiducia (trust) in the context of faith? [23:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on works rather than faith for your standing before God? How can you shift your focus to resting in Christ's finished work? [22:41]

2. The sermon mentions that many people are unaware of their estrangement from God due to distractions. What are some distractions in your life that might be keeping you from recognizing your need for faith? How can you address these distractions? [18:59]

3. Consider the three components of faith: knowledge, mental assent, and trust. Which component do you find most challenging, and why? What steps can you take to strengthen this aspect of your faith? [08:05]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the right object of faith. How can you ensure that your faith is grounded in the truths of the gospel rather than in vague or abstract beliefs? [12:01]

5. How does understanding faith as an "act of refuge" change the way you approach your relationship with God? In what ways can you actively seek refuge in Christ this week? [23:43]

6. The sermon highlights the ongoing challenges to the doctrine of justification by faith alone. How can you remain vigilant in your understanding and defense of this doctrine in your personal faith journey? [34:42]

7. Reflect on the idea that faith is both the means of salvation and the foundation for living a life of faith. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily walk with God? [38:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Living Doctrine
Faith is a timeless and central doctrine of Christianity, yet it remains ever new to each generation. The essence of faith, particularly justification by faith alone, is foundational to our understanding of the gospel. Romans chapter 4 serves as a profound illustration of this doctrine, using the example of Abraham to demonstrate that faith, not works, is the basis of righteousness before God. If salvation were contingent upon works, it would allow room for boasting, which is contrary to the glory of God. Instead, faith is the means by which we receive God's righteousness, a gift that cannot be earned. [01:29]

"For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'" (Romans 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow the timeless truth of faith to bring new life, peace, and hope into your daily routine today?


Day 2: The Gift of Righteousness
The contrast between faith and works is crucial. Works allow for boasting and steal glory from God, while faith acknowledges our complete dependence on God's grace. Faith is the only means by which we can receive God's righteousness, as it is a gift, not something earned. This understanding calls us to humility, recognizing that our salvation is not a result of our efforts but a divine gift. [04:34]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you express gratitude today for the gift of righteousness that comes through faith, not works?


Day 3: The Components of Faith
Faith involves knowledge (notitia), mental assent (assensus), and trust (fiducia). It is not a blind leap but is grounded in the truths of the gospel. This understanding of faith calls us to rest in the sufficiency of Christ's work, ceasing from our own striving. Faith is an active trust in Christ's redemptive work, a personal refuge in His sacrifice. [08:05]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are striving in your own strength. How can you actively trust in Christ's sufficiency today?


Day 4: Recognizing Our Need for Faith
The necessity of faith becomes clear when we recognize our sinfulness and the futility of works. Faith is the only means by which we can be right with God, as it involves trusting in Christ's redemptive work and receiving His righteousness. Many are unaware of their estrangement from God, anesthetized by distractions and false assurances. Yet, the gospel calls us to recognize our ungodliness and to cease striving for righteousness through works. [17:51]

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What distractions or false assurances might be keeping you from fully recognizing your need for faith today?


Day 5: Living by Faith
Justification by faith alone has faced challenges throughout history, yet it remains the foundation of Christian belief. It is essential for both our salvation and our daily walk with God, as we live by faith, trusting in His promises and provision. As believers, we are called to continually remind ourselves of this truth and to live by faith, trusting in God's promises and His provision for our salvation. [36:27]

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally live by faith today, trusting in God's promises and provision in a specific area of your life?

Quotes



It was new to us when it first shone into our dark and troubled and sinful hearts. It will be equally new to our children and our children's children, when they come to know that they have their own sins to be forgiven and their own souls to be saved. It is this old truth of justification by faith that is the seed of the new creation. It is a spring of new life. It is new peace. It is new hope. [00:01:11]

If our salvation, if our standing before God, was in any way contingent upon works, then that would open the door, even ever so slightly, to room for boasting in ourselves. And if we know anything about the doctrine of God, we know that there is absolutely no room for boasting. That the glory of God is the all-encompassing reality, and it leaves no room for boasting in the flesh. [00:04:21]

And the second word goes along with that, it's the word assensus. It speaks of mental assent. So, we have data and facts and propositions, and we have the cognitive awareness and mental assent of those propositions. We're in the realm of the intellectual with faith. In one sense, we see this in the example of Abraham itself. We were told that Abraham believed God, it was counted to him as righteous. [00:08:15]

He gives Abraham a promise. Abraham did not make a leap of faith. He put his faith in an object, and that object was God Himself and God's promise. Just around the corner here is First Presbyterian Church. Back in the 1920s, one of my heroes, J. Gresham Machen, preached in that church. I spent all morning just walking around the block, trying to retrace Machen's steps. [00:09:26]

There are propositions to the gospel. There is a holy God. We are sinful, we need a substitute. God in His mercy and in His grace has sent us one. He was born of a virgin. He really lived, and He lived a sinless and perfect life. And He was led to a cross, and He really died on that cross. And He was put in a tomb, a real tomb with a real stone. [00:13:01]

But there's a third element to this that the Reformers helped us understand. It's the word fiducia or the word "trust." Now, we see this in this text too. We see it introduced in verse 5, "And to the one who does not work but believes," and there's the object, "in him," and here's also part of the object, "who justifies," so that's the person and the work. [00:14:56]

And there are many who are seemingly unaware that there is something wrong between them and God. Because I believe if they did, if they were aware that there was something wrong between them and God, they would be busting down the doors of our churches to ask for help. So, we're getting here now to the necessity of faith when we understand not just Abraham's illustrative purposes, but David's. [00:17:41]

Some people, I think, sense that things are askew. So, what do they do? They pour themselves into religion. You really only have two choices – it's either works or faith – and no matter what the religion is, whether it's Roman Catholicism, whether it's Islam, or whether it's cultural mainline Protestant Christianity or whether it's a cult, what's holding all of those together? [00:19:50]

Then Machen says this, "To have faith in Christ means to cease trying to win God's favor by one's own character." You know, that white knuckling it to get to heaven, the striving. No, that's not faith. Faith is fiducia, trust, rest, to put an end to striving. The man who believes in Christ simply accepts. There's that word again, "simply," means only. [00:22:42]

Because we started off, we were there in Romans 1, we all know it, there's one neon lights fact, "the wrath of God." And we get to the Romans 5 and brighter neon lights, "peace with God." But here it is, chapters 3 and 4, we move from wrath to peace through the righteousness of God, paid with a very heavy price, the cost of His only Son, His beloved Son. [00:27:00]

This is faith. This is not just simply knowing these things, this is resting in these things, this is coming to grips with this fact of our sinfulness before a holy God. And in Christ, our unrighteousness is put on Him. You know, we hear this, we even sing the hymn that our hands are empty, "We come to the cross empty-handed." And I understand the sentiment of that and the thought of that. [00:32:10]

You know, in every generation of the church there have been challenges to the doctrine of justification by faith alone. And the faithful, biblical proclamation of the gospel meets every challenge every time. There was a challenge before we got out of the pages of the New Testament. They were adding to Christ, as if Christ were not sufficient. They were adding to Christ, as if His work on the cross was not enough. [00:34:57]

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