How Can A Person Be Right With God?
Posted by Pastor Pat on November 12, 2010
Part 3
I. Justification is looked upon as a provision of grace and thus a gift (Romans 3:24; 5:16,17; Titus 3:5-7) and is appropriated by means of faith and stands in direct contrast of being attained by works (Acts 13:38, 39; Romans 3:21, 22, 26, 28, 30; 4:2-6, 9, 11, 13; 9:30-33; 10:1-13; Gal. 2:16, 17, 21; 3:6, 8, 11, 21-26; Titus 3:5).
Because this is true, you and I have nothing to boast in or of. The Scriptural evidence is so overwhelming that it is impossible to get around it. If it could have been attained by works, then it would not have been by faith. In the Heidelberg Disputation of 1518 Martin Luther made the following comments. Theology of the Cross – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology_of_the_Cross
• He is not righteous who does much, but he who, without work, believes much in Christ.
• The law says “Do this”, and it is never done. Grace says, “believe in this” and everything is already done.
II. Justification is based on the sinless life and sacrificial death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:17; 3:25; 5:18, 19) and thus justifying faith finds its object in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22; 4:22-24).
We must never forget that although the gift of justification is of no cost to us the securing of it for us came through His sinless life and sacrificial death (Romans 5:9).
There are several statements about faith. First, faith never operates in a vacuum. Second, faith must always have an object. Finally, the object of faith must be valid. Jesus is the only legitimate object for a faith that can justify.
III. Justification makes me what Christ is, and He, what I am (1 Cor. 1:29-31; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 4:17).
In a positional sense I am what Christ is. The practical outworking of this is the putting on of the new and the putting off of the old by the renewing of one’s mind (Ephesians 4:22-24). In so doing our Lord will be seen in our earthen vessels. It is, in this sense, that we are righteous. In truth it is His righteousness being seen in and through us. This is what Ephesians 5:9 and Philippians 1:11 are referring to. Our righteousness is actually the outworking of His righteousness in us. It is as I become aware of what He is that I am desirous of putting on those qualities that will reveal Christ to others through me (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22; 3:16).
IV. Justification results in having peace with God, access to God, boldness before God (Romans 5:1, 2, 5, 9; 8:30, 33, 34), and frees me from sin and the wrath of God against it (Romans 5:9; 6:7 [“freed” = “justified”]).
My justification results in me having peace with God. I am no longer in a state of fear. I no longer tremble at my inability to measure up to God’s unattainable standard. I have an advocate who pleads my case (1 John 2:1, 2). My advocate asks the question, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of my elect whom I have declared righteous? Who is there among you that can condemn those whom I have freed?” The answer? NO ONE! I am free! Gloriously free! Jesus paid it all and now all to HIM I owe!
We have lived so long in bondage that we have to learn how to live as free men. We sin so naturally that we must learn how to live in righteousness just as we have lived in sin.
V. Justification results in a surrendered life to God (Romans 6:13-19; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter
2:24, 25; 1 John 2:28, 29)
Justification by faith will always bring forth the fruit of righteousness. It is not the works of the Law that justify, but a justifying faith that produces adherence to the Law. Notice how Romans 6:21, 22 and 7:4 read.
• Romans 6:21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
• Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
Only the justified can “keep” Law. It is the enabling power of God quickening me that equips me to fulfill His demands upon me (Romans 8:10). It is only as we understand the nature of God’s grace that we can live righteously (Titus 2:11-15).
Over two months passed when on August 5th the San Jose mine collapse near Copiapo, Chile, when 33 miners were trapped almost ½ a mile below ground. On October 13th, the first of the 33 miners was successfully lifted to the surface in a specially-designed rescue capsule. Friends and relatives, many of whom had camped nearby for months, slowly let their cautious optimism become joy as they were reunited with their loved ones. All of the 33 men made it safely to the surface. Friend, there was no other way except through the channel provided. Those within the room could only be saved by help outside themselves.
One individual wrote, “Watching each of those men “return from the dead” to hold their loved ones again … seeing the genuine care and concern and determination shown by their rescuers was a life changing experience for me. I hate to think how many lives have been considered ‘expendable’ in the past.”
There is only one way to be right with God and it is through Jesus Christ. Unless and until you come to Him and through Him to the Father you will forever be trapped in an inescapable hell.
According to Luther, the theologian of the cross preaches what seems foolish to the world (1 Cor. 1:18). In particular, the theologian of the cross preaches that (1) humans can in no way earn righteousness, (2) humans cannot add to or increase the righteousness of the cross, and (3) any righteousness given to humanity comes from outside of us (extra nos).
Theology of the Cross – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology_of_the_Cross
