Justification by Faith: The Heart of the Gospel
Summary
Justification by faith alone is the crown jewel of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a central tenet that Paul passionately preached. This doctrine is the main hinge on which religion turns, as emphasized by both Calvin and Luther. In Romans 3:21-26, Paul introduces the righteousness of God, manifested apart from the law, as a gift to sinners. This righteousness is described through three key terms: redemption, propitiation, and justification.
Redemption, as Paul explains, is akin to the purchase and sale of slaves in the marketplace. As sinners, we are like slaves bound by the guilt of our sin, but Jesus Christ has paid the ransom to deliver us from this bondage. Propitiation, a term rooted in Old Testament sacrifice, signifies that Jesus' blood covers our sins, turning away the wrath of God. God put Jesus forward as a propitiation, bearing His own wrath to save us from Himself.
Justification, the third term, is a legal declaration where God, the judge, declares the sinner righteous. This is not an inward transformation but a declarative act where the sinner is pardoned and accepted as righteous in God's sight. This verdict is permanent, and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
The righteousness of God is imputed to us, credited to our account, not because of anything we have done but solely through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is not a work but an act of trust, receiving Christ and His righteousness. It is a gift from God, and through faith, we stand pardoned and righteous before Him.
This doctrine of justification by faith alone sets the gospel apart from all other religions, which rely on human effort. The Christian life is a life of faith, trusting in Christ, and living to the glory of God. This faith is active and fruitful, not to earn justification but because we are already justified and rejoice in our Savior.
Key Takeaways:
- Redemption through Christ: Redemption is the deliverance from the bondage of sin through the payment of a ransom by Jesus Christ. As sinners, we are like slaves, but Christ has paid the price to free us from the guilt of our sin, offering us liberation and new life. [03:09]
- Propitiation and Atonement: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross serves as a propitiation, turning away God's wrath and covering our sins. This act of atonement is central to understanding the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's sacrifice for us. [04:48]
- Justification as a Legal Declaration: Justification is a legal term where God declares the sinner righteous, not based on our merit but on Christ's righteousness. This declaration is permanent, ensuring that we stand accepted and pardoned before God. [07:19]
- Imputed Righteousness: The righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, credited to our account, not because of anything we have done but solely through faith. This "alien righteousness" is a gift from God, emphasizing the grace and mercy inherent in the gospel. [15:47]
- Faith as Trust and Gift: Faith is not a work but an act of trust, receiving Christ and His righteousness. It is a gift from God, enabling us to stand justified before Him. This faith is active and fruitful, reflecting our gratitude and love for the Savior. [20:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:47] - Introduction to Justification by Faith
- [01:34] - The Righteousness of God Revealed
- [02:17] - Understanding the Gift of Righteousness
- [03:09] - Redemption in Christ
- [04:02] - Propitiation by His Blood
- [05:41] - God’s Wrath Turned Away
- [06:27] - Justification in the Law Court
- [07:19] - Declared Righteous in God’s Court
- [09:06] - Pardon and Acceptance
- [10:33] - The Permanence of Justification
- [12:21] - Hope in the Return of Christ
- [13:08] - Imputation of Righteousness
- [14:59] - The Great Exchange
- [17:36] - Faith and Works in Justification
- [20:56] - Faith as a Gift from God
- [21:47] - The Gospel vs. Human Religions
- [22:34] - Living a Life of Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Justification by Faith Alone
Bible Reading:
- Romans 3:21-26
- Romans 8:33-39
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three key terms Paul uses in Romans 3:21-26 to describe the righteousness of God, and what do they signify? [02:17]
2. How does Paul describe the concept of redemption in relation to the marketplace and slavery? [03:09]
3. What does the term "propitiation" mean, and how is it connected to Old Testament sacrifices? [04:02]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the legal declaration of justification? [06:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of redemption through Christ challenge the idea of self-salvation or earning one's way to God? [03:09]
2. In what ways does the doctrine of propitiation deepen our understanding of God's love and justice? [04:48]
3. How does the permanence of justification provide assurance to believers, and why is this important for the Christian life? [10:33]
4. What does it mean for righteousness to be "imputed" to us, and how does this affect our relationship with God? [13:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt bound by guilt or shame. How does the concept of redemption through Christ offer you freedom and new life? [03:09]
2. Consider the idea of propitiation and God's wrath being turned away. How does this change your perspective on God's character and your relationship with Him? [04:48]
3. Justification is described as a legal declaration. How does knowing you are declared righteous affect your daily walk with God? [06:27]
4. The sermon emphasizes faith as a gift and an act of trust. How can you actively cultivate a deeper trust in Christ in your current circumstances? [20:04]
5. The permanence of justification means nothing can separate us from God's love. How can this assurance impact the way you face challenges or uncertainties in life? [10:33]
6. The sermon contrasts the gospel with human religions that rely on human effort. How can you ensure that your faith is rooted in grace rather than works? [21:47]
7. Faith is described as active and fruitful. Identify one area in your life where you can express your faith through action this week. [22:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Liberation Through Christ's Redemption
Redemption is the divine act of Jesus Christ delivering humanity from the bondage of sin. In the ancient marketplace, slaves were bought and sold, and similarly, as sinners, we are enslaved by the guilt and consequences of our sin. However, Jesus Christ has paid the ultimate ransom, liberating us from this bondage and offering us a new life. This act of redemption is not just a transaction but a profound transformation, where we are set free to live in the fullness of God's grace and love. [03:09]
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." (Ephesians 1:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you feel bound or enslaved by sin. How can you invite Christ's redemptive power to bring freedom and transformation to that area today?
Day 2: The Depth of God's Love in Propitiation
Propitiation is a profound concept rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where Jesus' sacrifice on the cross turns away God's wrath and covers our sins. This act of atonement reveals the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's sacrifice for us. By bearing the wrath of God, Jesus has reconciled us to the Father, demonstrating that God's love is not passive but active and sacrificial. This understanding calls us to a deeper appreciation of the cross and the love that was poured out for our salvation. [04:48]
"He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice for you personally. How does understanding propitiation deepen your appreciation for God's love and influence your relationship with Him today?
Day 3: The Assurance of Justification
Justification is a legal declaration where God, the judge, declares the sinner righteous based on Christ's righteousness, not our merit. This declaration is permanent, ensuring that we stand accepted and pardoned before God. It is not an inward transformation but a divine verdict that changes our standing before God forever. This assurance of justification gives us confidence in our relationship with God, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus. [07:19]
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: How does the assurance of being declared righteous by God impact your daily life and interactions with others? In what ways can you live out this assurance today?
Day 4: The Gift of Imputed Righteousness
The righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, credited to our account, not because of anything we have done but solely through faith. This "alien righteousness" is a gift from God, emphasizing the grace and mercy inherent in the gospel. It is not earned by works but received by faith, highlighting the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. This imputed righteousness assures us of our standing before God and empowers us to live a life that reflects His glory. [15:47]
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the gift of Christ's righteousness in your life today? How does this understanding of imputed righteousness influence your view of grace and mercy?
Day 5: Faith as a Living Trust
Faith is not a work but an act of trust, receiving Christ and His righteousness. It is a gift from God, enabling us to stand justified before Him. This faith is active and fruitful, reflecting our gratitude and love for the Savior. It is not about earning justification but living out the reality of being justified, allowing our faith to be expressed through love and good works. This living trust in Christ transforms our daily walk and aligns our lives with God's purposes. [20:04]
"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: How can you actively express your faith in Christ today? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate your trust in Him and reflect His love to those around you?
Quotes
WATERS: Well, at long last, we have come to justification by faith alone. This is the crown jewel of the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul preached. Calvin did not understate things when he said that justification is the main hinge on which religion turns. Nor Luther, who said if the article of justification is lost, all Christian doctrine is lost at the same time. [00:00:11]
The first, you see in verse 24; it's the word -- "redemption." We are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Now in Paul's day, the word "redemption" had as its background the purchase and sale of slaves in the marketplace. That's the image that's being conjured here. And to redeem, is to deliver by the payment of a ransom. [00:02:57]
But then Paul uses a second word. You see that in verse 25 -- "Propitiation," "God put Jesus forward as a propitiation by His blood." Now, this is a word "propitiation" that we don't often use much today. It's a word that comes from the world of Old Testament sacrifice. You see that from the word "blood"; the shedding of lifeblood means that a sacrifice has taken place. [00:04:13]
So there is redemption and there's propitiation, but then you see in verse 24, he says, "we are justified." "We are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Now, here the background is the law court. God is the judge, we are the defendant; and we stand guilty before a righteous God. And this judge renders verdict, and the word "justify" captures that verdict. [00:06:19]
Now this verdict, God declares the sinner righteous. What does it mean to be declared righteous in God's court? Because this is true of every Christian. And it's true of every Christian at the very beginning of the Christian life. And it means for Paul at least two things. It means on the one hand, that you are pardoned of your sins. It means that God has forgiven you of your sins. [00:08:28]
So God has pardoned the sinner, but there's even more. To be declared righteous is not only to be pardoned, but it is to be accepted, it is to be accounted as righteous in God's own sight. When God pardons the sinner, He takes away what is objectionable. But to be declared righteous means, that you stand acceptable in God's sight. [00:09:43]
And the wonder of this verdict is, that it is permanent. God will never revoke it, and we can never lose it. That's the great theme of Romans chapter 8. How does Paul begin? (v.1) -- "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Not now, not later, not ever. And how does Paul end? (v.39) -- "There's nothing in all creation that can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [00:10:33]
Now, how does this become ours? This has to be made over to us in time. How does that happen? And I think we can answer that in a couple of ways. We can go back to a word that we looked at in our last lecture, when we looked at Romans 5 and our relationship with the first Adam; and that word is "impute" or "reckon." Paul stresses that this righteousness is imputed to the sinner. [00:12:45]
Paul makes this very same point in Philippians chapter 3 verse 9. What kind of righteousness is ours in justification? Paul asks. And he says, "It is not a righteousness of my own that comes from the law." He's saying, "I didn't in any way contribute to this. I didn't earn it. I didn't work for it. I didn't accomplish it. I didn't merit it. This is a righteousness that is come from God." [00:14:51]
So this righteousness becomes ours by imputation. But then Paul also says that this imputed righteousness is received through faith alone. It is received through faith alone. You see that in verse 28 of chapter 3. We hold that one is justified -- declared righteous by faith apart from works of the law. So what is faith and what are works of the law here in justification? [00:17:16]
In justification, he says, God looks on us as ungodly. We bring nothing to the table, we lay no claim on God. He owes us absolutely nothing but rather what do we do as sinners? -- we trust Him who justifies the ungodly. Faith doesn't look within to find something to give to God. Faith looks out to Jesus Christ whom God gives the sinner in the gospel. [00:19:05]
You're not justified because of your faith. Faith has no power to justify, Christ justifies and faith lays hold of Christ; so that we may stand pardoned and righteous in God's sight. [00:21:07]
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