Justification by Faith: Understanding God's Righteousness in Christ
Summary
In our exploration of the doctrine of justification by faith alone, we delve into the profound theological insights presented by the Apostle Paul, particularly in his epistle to the Romans. Paul meticulously outlines the universal judgment of God upon humanity, emphasizing that all have sinned and fall short of His glory. This sets the stage for understanding the necessity of justification, which is not achieved through human deeds or adherence to the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul asserts that no amount of ritualistic or moral obedience can justify us before God. Instead, justification is a divine act where God declares us righteous based on the imputed righteousness of Christ.
Paul distinguishes between pardon and justification, highlighting that justification goes beyond mere forgiveness. It involves God declaring us just, not because of our own righteousness, but because of Christ's righteousness imputed to us. This imputation is central to our understanding of justification, as it underscores that our standing before God is based on Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death.
The doctrine further explores the dual aspects of Christ's obedience: His passive obedience, where He willingly suffers and dies for our sins, and His active obedience, where He lives a life of perfect righteousness under the law. Both aspects are crucial for our justification. Christ's passive obedience involves propitiation and expiation, satisfying God's justice and removing our sins. His active obedience provides the righteousness that is credited to us.
Paul's teaching underscores that justification is by faith alone, which is intrinsically linked to grace alone. This is exemplified in the life of Abraham, who was justified by faith before any works or rituals. The righteousness of God is given to those who believe, demonstrating that our justification is a gift of grace, not a result of our works.
Key Takeaways:
- Justification by faith alone is a central tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing that our righteousness before God is not based on our deeds but on the imputed righteousness of Christ. This doctrine highlights the futility of relying on human efforts for justification, pointing instead to faith in Jesus as the sole basis for our standing before God. [03:15]
- The distinction between pardon and justification is crucial. While pardon involves forgiveness of sins, justification goes further by declaring us righteous. This declaration is not based on our own merit but on the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us through faith. [06:35]
- Christ's passive and active obedience are both essential for our justification. His passive obedience involves His sacrificial death, which satisfies God's justice and removes our sins. His active obedience, on the other hand, involves His perfect life under the law, providing the righteousness that is credited to us. [09:47]
- The example of Abraham illustrates that justification is by faith, not works. Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith, demonstrating that justification is a gift of grace. This underscores the inseparable link between faith and grace in the doctrine of justification. [18:50]
- God's justice and righteousness are maintained in the process of justification. By imputing our sins to Christ and His righteousness to us, God remains just while justifying the unjust. This divine transaction ensures that God's justice is not compromised in the act of saving sinners. [17:27]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Introduction to Justification by Faith
[00:44] - Universal Judgment and Human Sinfulness
[01:25] - The Stopped Mouth Metaphor
[02:09] - The Futility of Excuses Before God
[03:15] - Understanding Justification
[04:02] - Deeds of the Law and Justification
[05:07] - Exclusion of Works in Justification
[06:35] - Pardon vs. Justification
[07:32] - Imputation of Righteousness
[09:28] - Justification by Christ Alone
[10:15] - Propitiation and Expiation
[11:29] - Active and Passive Obedience of Christ
[13:36] - The Scapegoat and Christ's Sacrifice
[14:21] - The Necessity of Christ's Perfect Life
[15:42] - Resurrection and Justification
[16:27] - God's Justice and Mercy
[18:10] - Abraham's Example of Faith
[19:41] - Grace and Justification
[20:56] - Covering Motif in Scripture
[21:39] - Preview of Next Session
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Justification by Faith Alone
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 3:19-28
2. Genesis 15:6
3. Psalm 32:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 3:19-20, Paul uses the metaphor of the "stopped mouth." What does this metaphor signify about humanity's position before God's judgment? [01:45]
2. According to Romans 3:21-22, how is the righteousness of God revealed apart from the law? What role does faith in Jesus Christ play in this revelation? [08:14]
3. How does Paul describe the dual aspects of Christ's obedience in Romans 3:24-26, and why are both aspects essential for our justification? [09:07]
4. In Genesis 15:6, what was credited to Abraham as righteousness, and how does this relate to Paul's argument in Romans about justification by faith? [18:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the distinction between pardon and justification, as explained in the sermon, deepen our understanding of God's grace? Why is it important to recognize that justification goes beyond mere forgiveness? [06:35]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between Christ's passive and active obedience and our justification? How do these concepts challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation? [09:47]
3. The sermon highlights the example of Abraham's faith. How does this example illustrate the inseparable link between faith and grace in the doctrine of justification? [18:50]
4. How does the concept of imputation, as discussed in the sermon, ensure that God's justice is maintained while justifying the unjust? What implications does this have for our understanding of divine justice and mercy? [17:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own deeds for a sense of righteousness. How does the doctrine of justification by faith alone challenge this mindset? What steps can you take to shift your focus to faith in Christ? [03:15]
2. The sermon emphasizes that justification is a gift of grace. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for this gift in your daily life? What practices might help you live more fully in the light of God's grace? [18:50]
3. Consider the distinction between pardon and justification. How does understanding this difference affect the way you view your relationship with God? In what ways can you live out this understanding in your interactions with others? [06:35]
4. The sermon discusses Christ's active and passive obedience. How can you model Christ's obedience in your own life? Identify one area where you can actively pursue righteousness this week. [09:47]
5. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. How can you demonstrate a similar faith in your current circumstances? What specific promise of God can you hold onto this week? [18:50]
6. The sermon mentions the concept of imputation. How does this understanding of Christ's righteousness being credited to you change the way you view your identity in Christ? What practical steps can you take to live out this identity? [17:27]
7. Reflect on the idea that God's justice is not compromised in the act of saving sinners. How does this assurance impact your confidence in God's character? How can you share this aspect of God's nature with someone who struggles with understanding divine justice? [17:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Righteousness Through Faith, Not Works
Justification by faith alone is a cornerstone of Christian belief, emphasizing that our righteousness before God is not based on our deeds but on the imputed righteousness of Christ. This doctrine highlights the futility of relying on human efforts for justification, pointing instead to faith in Jesus as the sole basis for our standing before God. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, meticulously outlines this truth, asserting that no amount of ritualistic or moral obedience can justify us before God. Instead, justification is a divine act where God declares us righteous based on the imputed righteousness of Christ. This understanding liberates believers from the burden of trying to earn God's favor through works, redirecting their focus to faith in Jesus Christ. [03:15]
"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's approval through your own efforts? How can you shift your focus to trusting in Christ's righteousness instead?
Day 2: Beyond Forgiveness: Declared Righteous
The distinction between pardon and justification is crucial. While pardon involves forgiveness of sins, justification goes further by declaring us righteous. This declaration is not based on our own merit but on the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us through faith. Understanding this difference is vital for a deeper appreciation of God's grace. Justification is not merely about being forgiven; it is about being seen as righteous in God's eyes because of Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death. This profound truth assures believers of their secure standing before God, not because of what they have done, but because of what Christ has done on their behalf. [06:35]
"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit." (Psalm 32:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the difference between pardon and justification change your view of your relationship with God? How can you live in the freedom of being declared righteous?
Day 3: The Dual Obedience of Christ
Christ's passive and active obedience are both essential for our justification. His passive obedience involves His sacrificial death, which satisfies God's justice and removes our sins. His active obedience, on the other hand, involves His perfect life under the law, providing the righteousness that is credited to us. Both aspects are crucial for our justification, as they ensure that God's justice is satisfied and that we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. This dual obedience of Christ is a testament to His love and commitment to redeeming humanity, offering believers a complete and perfect salvation. [09:47]
"For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:19, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Christ's active and passive obedience in your life. How does this understanding deepen your gratitude for His sacrifice and perfect life?
Day 4: Faith and Grace: Abraham's Example
The example of Abraham illustrates that justification is by faith, not works. Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith, demonstrating that justification is a gift of grace. This underscores the inseparable link between faith and grace in the doctrine of justification. Abraham's story serves as a powerful reminder that God's promises are received through faith, not by human effort or merit. Believers are called to follow in Abraham's footsteps, trusting in God's promises and relying on His grace for their justification and salvation. [18:50]
"And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you emulate Abraham's faith in your daily life? How can you rely more on God's grace rather than your own efforts?
Day 5: Divine Justice and Mercy in Justification
God's justice and righteousness are maintained in the process of justification. By imputing our sins to Christ and His righteousness to us, God remains just while justifying the unjust. This divine transaction ensures that God's justice is not compromised in the act of saving sinners. It highlights the profound wisdom and mercy of God, who upholds His justice while extending grace to humanity. Believers can find assurance in the fact that their salvation is rooted in God's unchanging character, where justice and mercy meet perfectly in the person and work of Jesus Christ. [17:27]
"To declare his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:26, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding God's justice and mercy in justification impact your view of His character? How can you live in response to this divine balance of justice and grace?
Quotes
In the very first chapter of Romans, he develops the idea of the universal judgment of God upon fallen humanity that represses the divine revelation that God gives of Himself, and then he expounds how the effects of sin have grasped all people universally, both Jew and Greek. And he brings the whole world before the bar of God's justice with the conclusion that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" and that we are without excuse. [00:00:54]
But as he expounds on the nature of human sinfulness, he appeals to the Old Testament to the Psalm which begins, "There is none righteous, no not one. There is none who understands..." and you know that passage, and when he gets to the end of that citation, he says this in verse 19 of chapter 3, "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." [00:01:28]
And so he puts us before the judgment seat of God, and he uses the metaphor of the stopped mouth. Of course what that means is that when we are brought before the judgment seat of God and we appear before His holiness, the natural human tendency would be to rattle off every conceivable excuse that we could give for our disobedience. But when we come before God, it will become so clear to everyone standing there that it would be a pure exercise in futility to give any excuse or any attempt to rationalize our disobedience of God. [00:02:09]
Rather at the judgment seat we shut up, not a word can be said before God because His justice and judgment are so evident. But then Paul goes on to say, "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight for by the law is the knowledge of sin." And now, this brief statement here is extremely important to understand the doctrine of justification, and it also is a particular statement that the apostle makes that has been a subject of much debate and inquiry in the history of theology. [00:02:48]
He begins by saying, "By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in his sight." Now the first question is, to what is he referring when he refers to "the deeds of the law"? There have been those who are saying that this is a restrictive passage that it only refers to the ceremonial requirements of the Old Testament law, and that what the apostle is saying here is that nobody is justified by going through all of the actions that God commands as he did the Jews, going through the sacrificial system and all of the cultic practices that were associated with the tabernacle and later with the temple. [00:03:40]
The vast majority of commentators however say, "No, Paul is not simply limiting this to the performance of ritual, but rather to all that the law commands including all of the moral obligations that God's law imposes upon His creatures," and so he is saying that by obedience to the law of God, both cultically, ritually, as well as morally, by the keeping of these no one will ever be justified. So in that sense, any kind of good work as we would perceive it to be is excluded from the grounds of justification. [00:04:42]
Again when he is talking about justification, he is not talking simply about a work of divine pardon. There is a difference between being pardoned and being justified. A person is pardoned who has already been declared to be and convicted of being guilty. And after they are convicted of being guilty, the governor or the president may execute their executive privilege of giving clemency and pardoning these people, that is, excusing them from the punishment that is due to their guilt. But justification is not simple pardon. [00:06:21]
Now part of justification involves the forgiveness of sins, but the essence of justification is declaring a person just. So in one sense, you do not have to pardon somebody who has been declared righteous. People who are righteous have no need of pardon and so that the point of justification goes beyond the forgiveness of sins that is ours in the cross and all of rest to the declaration by God that we who are in Christ and who possess faith are counted righteous before Him. [00:07:06]
So Paul goes on to say, verse 21, "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe." So now again, we are speaking of that righteousness of God, not the righteousness by which He is righteous, but that righteousness that He gives to those who lack righteousness, the giving of the righteousness of God that comes through faith in Christ to all who believe. [00:07:59]
And then later on in this section he says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." [00:08:47]
The passive obedience refers to His willingly giving of Himself in obedience to the vocation that was given to him by His Father to die for our sins. He acquiesces and allows Himself to be sacrificed for us and in that act of redemption which Paul is referring to here, two things are accomplished, propitiation and expiation. Sometimes, people have a hard time remembering the difference between propitiation and expiation. [00:09:55]
The active obedience of Christ refers to His perfect life under the law where the old Adam fell into disobedience and by his disobedience we are cast into ruin. By the new Adam's obedience, we have now receive a righteousness that is real. It is accomplished in His life. You see, if all Jesus had to do was to pay for our sins, He could have come down from heaven on Good Friday and gone straight to the cross and that would have been it. But it was more than that. [00:14:08]
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