Understanding Justification: Faith, Works, and Transformation

 

Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of justification, we delve into the pivotal theological debate that shaped the Reformation: the nature of saving faith. The Reformers emphasized that justification is by faith alone, contrasting with the Roman Catholic view of faith plus works. This distinction is often misunderstood, with some claiming that Catholics believe in justification by works and Protestants by faith alone. However, both traditions acknowledge the necessity of grace and faith, though they differ on the role of works. The Reformers argued that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a living faith that produces the fruit of righteousness.

The essence of saving faith comprises three elements: notitia, ascensus, and fiducia. Notitia refers to the content of faith—the essential truths about Christ that must be believed. Ascensus is the intellectual agreement with these truths, while fiducia involves personal trust and affection for Christ. This trust is not merely an acknowledgment of facts but a heartfelt reliance on Christ for salvation. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in transforming our hearts, enabling us to embrace Christ with genuine affection and trust.

Conversion, marked by a newfound faith and affection for Christ, leads to a life turned around. This transformation includes repentance, a sincere turning away from sin and a change in mindset towards it. Repentance is not about achieving victory over sin but recognizing its evil and striving to grow away from it. True faith also brings about adoption into God's family, granting us peace with God and access to His presence. This peace is eternal, secured by Christ's perfect righteousness, and it allows us to rejoice in the hope of God's glory.

Key Takeaways:

- The distinction between Protestant and Catholic views on justification is often misunderstood. Both acknowledge the necessity of grace and faith, but differ on the role of works. The Reformers emphasized faith alone, where works are the fruit of true faith, not the basis of justification. [02:24]

- Saving faith consists of notitia (content), ascensus (intellectual assent), and fiducia (personal trust). True faith is not just intellectual agreement but involves a heartfelt reliance on Christ, made possible by the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts. [06:56]

- Conversion involves a radical transformation, marked by a newfound affection for Christ and a turning away from sin. Repentance is a change in mindset towards sin, not necessarily victory over it, but a sincere desire to grow away from it. [17:57]

- Adoption into God's family is a profound result of justification. Through faith in Christ, we are declared just and become sons and daughters of God, enjoying peace and access to His presence. [21:35]

- The fruits of justification include peace with God, access to His presence, and joy in His glory. This peace is eternal and unbreakable, secured by Christ's righteousness, allowing us to live in a reconciled relationship with God. [22:37]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Misunderstandings of Justification
[01:09] - Faith and Works: Protestant vs. Catholic
[02:24] - The Role of Grace and Merit
[02:55] - The Centrality of Faith
[03:42] - The Nature of Saving Faith
[04:21] - Faith Without Works is Dead
[04:58] - Living Faith and Righteousness
[05:33] - Equations of Justification
[06:22] - Constituent Elements of Faith
[06:56] - Notitia: Content of Faith
[09:05] - Ascensus: Intellectual Assent
[12:09] - Fiducia: Personal Trust
[15:11] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[17:57] - Conversion and Repentance
[21:07] - Adoption and Peace with God
[22:37] - Fruits of Justification

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Doctrine of Justification

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:1-2 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God."
2. James 2:14-17 - "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the main difference between the Protestant and Catholic views on justification? [02:24]
2. What are the three elements of saving faith as described in the sermon, and what does each element represent? [06:56]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of conversion and faith? [15:11]
4. What does the sermon say about the relationship between faith and works, particularly in the context of justification? [05:33]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "faith alone" in Protestant theology differ from the idea of "faith plus works" in Catholic theology, and what implications does this have for understanding salvation? [02:24]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true faith is more than just intellectual agreement with Christian doctrines? [12:34]
3. How does the sermon explain the transformation that occurs during conversion, and what role does repentance play in this process? [17:57]
4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of peace with God as a result of justification, and how is this peace described? [22:37]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of faith. Do you see it as merely intellectual agreement, or does it involve personal trust and affection for Christ? How can you deepen your personal trust in Christ this week? [12:34]
2. The sermon discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming our hearts. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's help to change your mindset or behavior? [15:11]
3. Consider the concept of repentance as a change in mindset towards sin. Is there a particular sin you struggle with that you need to view differently? How can you begin to change your perspective on it? [20:34]
4. The sermon mentions adoption into God's family as a result of justification. How does knowing you are a child of God affect your daily life and decisions? [21:35]
5. Reflect on the peace with God that comes from justification. Is there an area in your life where you lack peace? How can you seek God's peace in that situation? [22:37]
6. The sermon emphasizes that true faith produces the fruit of righteousness. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate the fruit of righteousness in your life? [04:58]
7. How can you ensure that your faith is not just a set of beliefs but a living faith that actively impacts your relationships and community? [04:58]

Devotional

Day 1: The Role of Grace and Faith in Justification
The distinction between Protestant and Catholic views on justification is often misunderstood. Both traditions acknowledge the necessity of grace and faith, but they differ on the role of works. The Reformers emphasized that justification is by faith alone, where works are the fruit of true faith, not the basis of justification. This understanding highlights the importance of grace as the foundation of our relationship with God, where faith is the means by which we receive this grace. It is crucial to recognize that while works are not the basis of our justification, they are a natural outcome of a genuine faith that is alive and active. [02:24]

"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 actively demonstrate the fruit of your faith in your daily life, knowing that your works are a response to God's grace rather than a means to earn it?


Day 2: The Threefold Nature of Saving Faith
Saving faith consists of notitia (content), ascensus (intellectual assent), and fiducia (personal trust). True faith is not just intellectual agreement but involves a heartfelt reliance on Christ, made possible by the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts. Notitia refers to the essential truths about Christ that must be believed, ascensus is the intellectual agreement with these truths, and fiducia involves personal trust and affection for Christ. This trust is not merely an acknowledgment of facts but a heartfelt reliance on Christ for salvation. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in transforming our hearts, enabling us to embrace Christ with genuine affection and trust. [06:56]

"And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." (1 John 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your personal trust and affection for Christ today, moving beyond intellectual agreement to a heartfelt reliance on Him?


Day 3: Conversion and Repentance as Transformation
Conversion involves a radical transformation, marked by a newfound affection for Christ and a turning away from sin. Repentance is a change in mindset towards sin, not necessarily victory over it, but a sincere desire to grow away from it. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about recognizing the evil of sin and striving to grow in holiness. It is a continuous process of turning towards God and away from sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [17:57]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific sin or habit you need to turn away from today, and how can you seek God's help in this process of repentance and transformation?


Day 4: Adoption into God's Family
Adoption into God's family is a profound result of justification. Through faith in Christ, we are declared just and become sons and daughters of God, enjoying peace and access to His presence. This adoption grants us a new identity and a secure relationship with God, where we are no longer strangers but beloved children. It is a privilege that comes with the assurance of God's love and the promise of eternal life. [21:35]

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing you are adopted into God's family change the way you view yourself and your relationship with others today?


Day 5: The Eternal Peace of Justification
The fruits of justification include peace with God, access to His presence, and joy in His glory. This peace is eternal and unbreakable, secured by Christ's righteousness, allowing us to live in a reconciled relationship with God. It is a peace that surpasses understanding and provides a foundation for joy and hope in the midst of life's challenges. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the finished work of Christ. [22:37]

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience God's peace today, and how can you remind yourself of the eternal security you have in Christ?

Quotes


The Roman Catholic Church insists upon the necessity of faith in order to be justified, and they call faith the foundation and the root and the initiation of justification, and you can't be justified without it. However, it is not sufficient to justify us because there must also be the works. [00:01:04]

The difference is (for the Reformers) it's faith alone where the Roman Catholic view it's faith plus works -- at least the works of satisfaction in the case of penance. Also, it's also a distortion to say that the Reformers believe that justification was by grace alone and the Roman Catholic Church was by merit alone. [00:01:28]

The Reformers believe in faith alone. Rome believes in grace plus merit in order to be justified and the Reformers believed in grace alone. But because the controversy focused so much on this matter of faith and because the New Testament speaks so often about believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, faith is so central to the Biblical religion. [00:02:39]

The first one is called 'notitia', sometimes 'noti'. The second is called 'ascensus' and the third is called 'fiducia'. Now, this distinction has these things in view. The notitia refers to the content of faith -- the information -- that which is in fact believed. [00:07:19]

The second ingredient -- we'll call this the data -- the second ingredient of saving faith is what they called 'ascensus', which comes over into English simply as 'assent', which is the intellectual affirmation of the truth of the data. If I said to you, "Do you believe that George Washington was the first president of the United States?" [00:09:08]

But it's one thing to give an intellectual assent to a body of propositions, to a creed or something else, and then it's quite another to put my personal trust in it. I remember hearing Dr. Jim Kennedy going through the Evangelism Explosion presentation of the Gospel and using an illustration where he had an empty chair in front of him. [00:12:53]

I can say I believe in justification by faith alone and yet still in my daily life and in my inner thinking really think that I'm going to get to heaven by my achievements or by my works or by my striving. And that's why it's easy to get the doctrine of justification by faith in your head. [00:14:15]

Without the work of the Holy Spirit on our souls, we would never come to this kind of saving faith because the problem is that we are indisposed towards Christ. The reason why an unregenerate person will never accept Jesus or embrace Jesus or come to Jesus is because that person doesn't want Jesus. [00:15:22]

When the Holy Spirit changes us and gives to us the gift of faith, what He does principally is He changes the disposition of our hearts so that before we despised Christ, now we see the sweetness of Christ. Now we see the loveliness of Christ and now we embrace Christ. We choose Christ. [00:17:00]

If you've before had no faith and now you have faith, if you before had no affection for Christ and now you have affection for Christ, that literally makes all the difference in the world. And your life will be turned around. And it's in that situation that we experience one of the immediate fruits of genuine faith. [00:17:56]

Repentance does not mean victory over sin. If it required total victory over sin for you to be saved, nobody would be saved. But repentance remains a turning away; having a different view of it. Mentanoia means a changing of the mind. Where before I'd try to rationalize my sin, I approved myself I actually enjoyed and encouraged. [00:20:20]

When God declares us just in Jesus Christ, He adopts us into His household. His only true natural son is Christ. But Christ becomes our elder brother by way of adoption. Nobody's born into the family of God. You are by nature the children of wrath, not children of God. [00:21:12]

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Transcript
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