Sunday School Lesson on Justification and Faith in New Testament Theology

Introduction

Welcome everyone to this mornings’ class. What a joy it is to be here learning and worshiping God through the teaching of His Word. This morning we're going to be talking about two fundamental doctrines in New Testament Christology. Christology is the study of Christ, his nature, and his work for us. These doctrines that we will look at closer today are justification and faith. We're going to be talking about them together because they go hand in hand with one another, and because Christ is fully man and fully God it makes it possible. I hope that we all know that we're saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. This salvation is what makes us justified before a holy God, and this is not by our own doing but by God's doing.

The structure for this lecture I hope to be very simple and easy for everyone to follow. First we're going to begin with a biblical foundation for these doctrines. Then I'm going to look at the doctrine of justification alone providing working definitions explaining the role of Christ in the doctrine of justification. Once I get done explaining the role of Christ in justification I'm going to move to the concept of grace and how that ties into the doctrine of justification.

After we look at the doctrine of justification by itself, I'm going to move to explain the doctrine of faith by itself. I will do so by first providing the working definition of the doctrine of faith. Then I'll move to the New Testament teachings of faith and how it works and functions in salvation. Following this I’ll explain how faith is a means by which we receive God's grace.

After looking at both doctrines in their own regards in my fifth point I plan on explaining the relationship between justification and faith. This is the part of the lecture where I'll make the connections and show where these two doctrines in the New Testament go hand in hand. In my 6th point I'll then provide some practical implications. My hope is that we will not just acquire head knowledge. Rather we would acquire knowledge that would impact our hearts. So, let's now begin with the biblical foundation.

Biblical Foundations

Romans 3:21-26

Romans 3:21–26 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 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, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

In this passage Paul is explaining a fundamental concept for us to understand justification. This is that we have to understand our fallen nature. ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This is not something that only certain people will have to face. Rather, it is something that all will face. Because we have been born in Adam we are not in a right relationship with God. This righteousness of God is recieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s teaching in this passage is so crucial to our understanding of the doctrine of justification.

Galatians 2:15-21

Galatians 2:15–21 ESV

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 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. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

In this passage we see that there is no one who is able to be justified by the works of the Law. This is a very important passage because it presents the understanding that justification is unable to be achieve through one’s works. In your efforts, you will find that you are not able to perfectly preform the works of the law. This is because the law was created to show the people of God where they are in need of a savior. The law shows humans their depravity and need of a savior. Because we cannot be justified by our works, we need someone who is able to perfectly keep the law.

James 2:18-26

James 2:18–26 ESV

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James provides one of the more difficult passages because it sounds as if there is a contradiction. In many places through Paul’s writing we see that there is much to be said about not being able to be justified by works. However, James provides this passage which focuses on the importance of works. I believe that there is a great exaggeration in the differences between the two passages. What James is really trying to say actually supports Paul's writing. He is not saying that one is justified by their works. Instead I would say that he is saying that because we have faith the following result would be that we have good works. I get that because James says,” you see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” When James says that we are not justified by faith alone we should understand that to mean faith without works is dead. Meaning that if someone claims to have faith, yet never bears any good fruit then we should be very careful before we say that they have true faith. It is very possible that their faith may be dead or even false.

Understanding the Doctrine of Justification.

The doctrine of justification is one that is fundamental to the Christian faith. To put it simply justification is how we are made just before a holy God. When the fall occurred in genesis 3, man became separated from God. Because of our sin there was now a disconnect between us and God. We were no longer able to have communion with the Lord in the ways that we were intended to. There is nothing that we could do to atone for our sin and our works are unable to make us justified. So, God provided another means by which we would be justified before a holy God. This is through the blood atonement of Christ on the cross. Christ's sacrifice is how we're able to be justified before the father.

Justification is a legal declaration by God. Because we have been made new and washed by the blood of Christ, when the father looks upon us he does not see a human in Adam. Instead, when God looks upon us he sees the righteousness of Christ because that blood has washed over us. Because we are no longer in Adam but in Christ, God can declare us justified not by our own doing but because of what was accomplished by Christ.

We also must understand that justification is not something that we have achieved on our own merit. Rather justification is a gift from God who is gracious enough to bestow it upon us. The scriptures clearly teach that man when it's left up to himself is unable to justify himself. There needs to be a great atonement. One that was fulfilled by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

To better understand doctrine of Justification, let me paint a picture. Imagine that you are in a court guilty of serious crimes. You know that you are guilty of the crimes charged against you. The evidence supports the idea that you are guilty of such crimes.

However, right when you think that you will be declared guilty by the judge he declares that you are no longer guilty. You are shocked, surprised, overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness. The judge then explains that you are not guilty because of something that you have done. The whole courtroom knows that you are guilty. Rather, someone else has taken your place and received the punishment that you persevered.

Because of your guilty, someone had to atone for your crime. Justice had to be served for the crimes that were commited. Much like this, sinners are declared righteous before God based on the righteousness of Christ. Jesus takes our penalty and because he suffered the wrath of God that we deserved, His righteousness has been credited to us.

Understanding the Doctrine of Faith

Has anyone ever had to participate in a trust fall activity? If you never done this activity, let me paint a picture of what happens. Imagine a salesman standing on a stool and blindfolded. All of his co-workers are behind him and they make a promise to catch the man when he falls. They count down from three and then the salesman on the stool falls backwards. When he falls he is required to trust and have faith that the co-workers will catch him. This faith is required because he is fully unable to prevent himself from being hurt. All that will happen is dependent upon the man alone. In the same manner, faith is like the trust fall. Faith as described in the Scriptures is full dependence upon God. We trust and have faith that God will keep his promises to his people. Faith is to trust and believe in God and his promises to his people.

Romans 4:1-3

Romans 4:1–3 ESV

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

In this passage we are able to see how faith is not exclusive to the New Testament. Paul is looking back to our father Abraham who was not counted righteous because of his works. Rather Abraham was counted righteous by God because of his faith. Abraham believed in God and was considered justified.

Relationship Between Justification and Faith

Romans 5:1-5

Romans 5:1–5 ESV

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. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

In this passage, we are able to see that Christ is justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through this faith that we are able to obtain access by faith into the grace that we stand. As believers we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Because of the faith given to us by God we are able to rejoice in our sufferings, for we understand that we are enduring. We find joy in having our having love poured into them through the Holy Spirit which is generously given to us.

Philippians 3:8-11

Philippians 3:8–11 ESV

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Paul just had finished telling the Philippians that if anyone had a reason to boast in their works it was Paul. He listed so many “righteous” things that he did. All to count it as loss because he had no knowledge of Christ. He would loose everything if it meant that he would be able to know Christ Jesus. He longed for true righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. The righteousness that was secured by the power of the resurrection. One that will cause us to be like him.

Practical Implications for Believers

My main goal for this lesson is that the information you gained is not going straight to your head. Instead, I want the information to go to your heart and produce a new response to worship of God. There are some application points that I think we should take away from this lecture.

1. Assurance of Salvation

A major aspect of the doctrine of justification by faith is that we have to believe and fully trust on the Lord. Listen to me believer who is struggling because they do not think there good enough. The truth is that you are not good enough. But there is more than just that… God has made a way for you to be declared righteous. Not by your own works but by the work that was accomplished on the cross. Get on your knees and praise God for such a wonderful gift. Even though you were nothing more that a dead sinner, God made you alive in Christ. If this is true for you then praise God whom is the giver of faith. Be assured that your salvation is secure not because of you but because of the work of Christ.

2. Bearing Fruit of Your Justified State

Believer who is tempted to live in sin because of your justified state with God. Run from this temptation because it is nothing more than a lie. Your justification should not give you confidence to continue to live in sin. Rather, because of you faith you should live a life that is set apart. In seeking to bear fruit you are not doing so because you feel that you can earn salvation. Believer do good works because you are beyond grateful for the grace that has been given to you. Because you have been transformed by the power of the gospel, let your life clearly reflect the transformative power of the gospel.

3. Encouragement in Your Personal Prayer Life

Oh brothers, understand that because of your justification, you are not able to commune with the Father. You are able to go to the Father and praise him, speak to him, and listen to him. This is the major thing I wan you to leave with. If you only get one thing let it be this. Because you have been saved by grace through faith and are now declared righteous because of the work of Christ, you are able to confidently go to the Father and he will listen. This does not mean that he will answer all requests. Nonetheless he does hear them. You are able to go to the throne not because of your own merit but because God sees Christ’s righteousness on your behalf.

Realize brother, justification should bring you to understand that salvation is fully dependent upon the grace of God. Come to understand and to love this dependence on the Lord. Pray for God to strengthen you, don’t try to do everything on your own. Rather, call upon God for help and assistance.

Oh Father, thank you for the day that you have made. May we find assurance in understanding that we have been made justified before God. It is our prayer that we not become boastful because of our justified state. Instead, we carry a posture of humility before God. Knowing that our status has nothing to do with our own work but is a gift from the Lord. May you strengthen the saints in this room, may they leave here with hearts ready to praise your Holy Name. Amen!