Justification

Justification

Lesson 5

Introduction

Through the precious Blood of Christ, poured out for us on the Cross, the door has been opened for guilty sinners to be declared righteous and justified in God's “court".

Justification is a judicial (law) word. Justification is the verdict, the pronouncement of the Judge, declaring that he has found the accused person innocent of all charges of guilt. It sets him forth as totally right and perfectly justified, no part of his case can ever be raised against him again.

A. How is this possible?

1. How could it be possible for God to declare an unrighteous, guilty sinner to be righteous and yet retain His holiness and integrity?

Romans 3:24-25 - By God's amazing plan of atonement.

Romans 3:24–25 ESV

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 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.

2. The pronouncement of justification can only be made because the justice of a holy God has been fulfilled. This was done by Jesus, who was completely righteous and totally obedient to His Father. He went to the cross and paid the full penalty for our sin. God's sentence of judgement upon sin was executed in its fullest measure when Christ, the Lamb of God, was slain on Calvary. Rev 5: 9-10.

Illustration: Two boys were the best of friends but as they matured their paths separated. They only met again in court, many years later. The one was the judge, the other the accused. The judge had to exercise righteousness and sentence his friend. But afterwards, the judge stepped down, took off his garment and paid the heavy fine, so that his friend could go free.

That was what Jesus did, and our sentence was not just a fine, but execution!

B. So how are men justified?

1. Not by works of the law

Read Galatians 2:16

A clear statement: "no flesh shall be justified by the works of the law". Doing the “works of the law” means keeping religious rules and regulations.

2. Why do they not make me righteous if I keep them?

Read Galatians 3: 10-11

In order to be justified by the works of the law, not one point of the law can be broken. Since this is impossible for any man, justification by the law is completely impossible.

The intention of the law was not to make us righteous. The law was given to convict man of sin and to lead him to Christ. Galatians 3:24.

3. Men are justified as a free gift by God's grace

Read Romans 5:9 and Ephesians 2:8-10

Justification is not on the grounds of any qualification that we have. It is a totally free gift of God's grace.

4. Men are justified - caused to be righteous - by the Blood of Christ

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 Peter 2:24

Christ never sinned, but He was made sin for us - He took our sin upon Himself. We can only be justified on the grounds of Christ's sacrificial death.

5. Men are justified through faith in Jesus Christ.

Read Romans 5:1 and Romans 3:28

a) It is living, active faith that brings us under the covering of the blood of Christ.

b) Christ has done it all. "It is finished" - we are actually justified when we believe it.

c) Living faith is faith which acts according to the truth. James 2:18-22

d) We are justified by faith without works, but living faith is not dead – it will show itself in works.

6. Our justification is sealed by His resurrection

Read Romans 4:25

a) We are justified by the Blood of Christ.

b) The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the proof that God accepted the sacrifice for us. By raising Jesus, God sealed our redemption.

Hallelujah!

C. The extent of the Justification

1. How much does it cover?

Read Acts 13: 38-39 and Romans 8: 31-34

Everything the law would condemn us with. Every sin, big and small - even our very sinful nature. Jesus started out by forgiving and justifying a robber, probably a murderer, on the cross next to Him.

2. A wonderful exchange

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 8:9

Christ took our place so that we should take His place. Christ was made sin for us. We were given God's righteousness in Him. Christ was made poor that we might become rich, etc.

3. It can never be nullified

Read Hebrews 9: 11-12

"He has won us an eternal redemption"

Read Rev 5: 6-10

On the throne of God is "a Lamb as though it had been slain". He won us eternal redemption and justification. The fact is that this will never change for all eternity.

D. The result of Justification

1. Peace with God

Read Romans 5:1 and Colossians 1: 20-22

a) Before, there was enmity between God and the sinner.

b) Read Philippians 4:7

Now there is not just peace with God, but also the Spirit of God will fill and guard our hearts and minds.

c) It is a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is not dependant on our circumstances.

2. No one can lay a charge against us

Read Romans 8: 1, 33, 34

No one can condemn the one Jesus justifies! Not the devil. Not any man or religious system. Not even you yourself. There is no more self-condemnation.

3. Saved from the wrath to come

Read Romans 5:9

God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. To perish means everlasting hell, the most horrible condition one can imagine. That was our destiny before, but now we are saved by His grace.

4. Made heirs to eternal life

Read Titus 3:7

‘Eternal’ does not only mean duration, but also fullness and quality and glory.

“Joint heirs with Christ" - this is more than you can ever imagine.

5. Being glorified by God

Read Romans 8:30

This is not only a future thing in eternity when we shall be like Jesus. This is present tense. God already sees you and me through Christ and His perfect work of redemption and justification.

6. We shall reign in life through Christ.

Read Romans 5: 16-17

A wonderful expression of a victorious life. "Reign in life, through Christ” using His Name, His authority and power, etc., in the normal affairs of life.