Jesus Christ Our Justification

When He does this, it presents a problem. The problem is that for a perfectly righteous, holy, and just God to declare sinners righteous, something must be done about their sin.

This is where Jesus Christ comes in.

Though we have no righteousness of our own, when we place our faith in Christ His righteousness is credited to our account. Through this process we are justified.

Our passage this morning details for us three realities about justification.

Understanding justification brings the security and determination necessary to live for Christ.

Living for Christ is where fulfillment and purpose are found.

The first reality we learn about justification is that we are…

1. Justified By Faith v. 16

Justified – δικαιόω (dikaioō) justify; declare righteous. To be or become judicially vindicated as having complied with the requirements of the law (of God).

Justified – δικαιόω (dikaioō)

This word is used by Paul to describe how God judges and declares men who put their faith in Christ to be righteous and acceptable to Him and therefore fit to receive the pardon of their sins and eternal life.

Justification presents God’s justice and His mercy.

To simply forgive is mercy without justice. But To forgive on the basis of Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice, that is justice and mercy. It isn’t simply forgiveness of past wrongs, it also blots them out!

Dr. Roy Gustafson told the following story to illustrate justification. “There was a man in England who put his Rolls-Royce on a boat and went across to the continent to go on a holiday. While he was driving around Europe, something happened to the motor of his car. He cabled the Rolls-Royce people back in England and asked, ‘I’m having trouble with my car; what do you suggest I do?’ Well, the Rolls-Royce people flew a mechanic over! The mechanic repaired the car and flew back to England and left the man to continue his holiday. As you can imagine, the fellow was wondering, ‘How much is this going to cost me?’ So when he got back to England, he wrote the people a letter and asked how much he owed them. He received a letter from the office that read: ‘Dear Sir: There is no record anywhere in our files that anything ever went wrong with a Rolls-Royce.’”

That is justification! We are declared righteous based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our sins are completely blotted out! They are gone! That is what it means to be justified by Jesus Christ!

Look carefully at what Paul writes here. The first word is “knowing.” This is not something unclear. It is not something ambiguous or uncertain. Scripture states with absolute clarity that we are not justified by works. This is something we can be confident in.

explains why

explains why our works cannot justify us (S).

Isaiah 64:6 NKJV

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

Our righteousness, our attempts at good works are like filthy rags.

If works cannot justify us, what can?

Faith in Jesus Christ!

We believe in Christ Jesus and we are justified by our faith in Christ.

This is the incredible nature of the gospel. We do nothing. Christ did everything.

The law given to Moses by God is the ultimate standard. Yet here Paul declares that keeping the law cannot save you. Why not? In Paul declares that the law simply serves to expose our sin. We cannot keep it perfectly therefore, keeping the law cannot save us.

What is it that we must believe about Christ in order to be saved? Is just belief in His existence enough? No.

spell out what we must believe (S).

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

This is the gospel message. This is what we must believe in order to be saved.

We are justified by faith in Christ apart from any works of our own.

Paul is writing the Galatians to remind them that nothing they do brings justification. It is all about what Christ did on the Cross. All we do is believe!

Paul makes the statement that apart from faith in Christ “no flesh” can be justified. Absolutely no one will be declared righteous unless they place their faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross!

Turn to (p. 1296). God is righteous in justifying us because the basis of our justification is Jesus, not our works.

(p. 1296)

Romans 3:21–26 NKJV

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. For there is no difference; 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.

Faith in Christ alone brings justification.

We are justified by faith.

Sing with me…

#406 “My Hope Is In The Lord” (vv. 1-2)

Once justified we are set free from sin. However, that doesn’t mean our sin nature is eradicated.

The second reality we learn about justification is that we are…

2. Justified To Choose vv. 17-19

READ v. 17

Some would reply to Paul that there is a problem with believing we are justified by faith.

If our works don’t save us it means that we may still sin. If we are declared righteous, but still sin, does that mean God approves of our sin? Is He giving license to sin?

Paul categorically and unequivocally denies this accusation.

Some would reply to Paul that to believe in total justification by faith alone gives license to sin! It would mean God allows us to sin.

to believe in total justification by faith alone gives license to sin! It would mean God allows us to sin.

There is absolutely no way God condones sin. How do we know? He dealt with it through the death of His Son!

So What do we do with the reality that, being justified by faith, we still sin?

READ v. 18

Sin is my choice.

When Christ saves us and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives the power of sin us immediately broken. I no longer have to sin.

Look at where this freedom not to sin is spelled out (S).

Romans 6:1–4 NKJV

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Our old nature is crucified with Christ!

The buildings of sin we used to live in have been destroyed! To sin I must rebuild them.

What Paul is saying here in v. 18 is that rebuilding my palaces of sin is on me. That’s not God’s doing. The chains have been broken. If I return to sin, I make myself a transgressor.

Sin is an active choice of my will.

Sin is a choice that we make, and its presence is a result of our old nature.

The fact remains we are justified by faith in the work of Christ, not our own work.

READ v. 19

How have we died to the law? The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. It’s purpose was to reveal our sin and our need of a Savior. Once we trust in Christ, the purpose of the law has been fulfilled. We are no longer bound by it.

This doesn’t make us lawless, it makes us directly accountable to the author of the law.

We are dead to the law, why? So we can live to God.

We have all the resources necessary to live for the Lord 24/7. We must choose to take advantage of them. The Holy Spirit, God Himself, lives inside of us. There is no excuse for sin.

We can live for God! We can live in freedom! We can conduct our lives in a manner worthy of Christ!

This freedom to live for God is where satisfaction, fulfillment, meaning, and purpose in life come from.

Being justified by faith in Jesus Christ means that we now have a choice. Will we live for self, or for Christ?

Those positionally righteous ought to be righteous in practice.

Choose who you will serve.

Sing with me…

#406 “My Hope Is In The Lord” (vv. 3-4)

Being set free from sin and now able to choose righteousness doesn’t mean we are left on our own.

The final reality we learn about justification is that we are…

3. Justified To Live vv. 20-21

READ v. 20

As we read in , our old man is put to death when we trust in Christ.

This means that now Christ lives in us and we live by faith in Him!

I no longer live in my own strength! I no longer fight on my own! Christ lives in me!

He goes on to say that now Christ lives in us and we live by faith in Him! The one who loves us and gave Himself for us!

This is the beauty of justification. I am declared righteous and then given all that is necessary to live in that righteousness.

Now, in Christ, we live by faith.

explains how we walk by faith. Look at that passage with me please (p. 1329).

explains how we walk by faith.

(p. 1329)

2 Corinthians 5:5–9 NKJV

Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

2 Corinthians 2:5–10 NKJV

But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

1 Corinthians 2:5–10 NKJV

that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

2 Corinthians 5:5–9 NKJV

We have the Holy Spirit, we walk by faith, we live to be pleasing to Christ.

We live by faith. We live believing in the freedom purchased for us by Christ on the Cross!

We are not slaves to sin! We live by faith in our Redeemer.

The one who loves us and gave Himself for us!

I love how personal Paul makes this here. Christ loved me! Christ gave Himself for me!

This one who gave Himself so that He might declare you and me righteous; this one stands with us empowering us to live in a way that pleases Him! In a way that glorifies Him!

It is the power of a risen Savior that enables us to live transformed lives of purpose, security and fulfillment.

I read a brief poem that says “This the secret of the holy, / Not our holiness, but HIM: / Jesus! Empty us and fill us / With Thy fullness to the brim.”

We are able to live righteous lives because Christ lives in us!

READ v. 21

This is a very powerful verse when we understand what it is saying.

Set aside – ἀθετέω (atheteō) reject; declare invalid. To take away the legal force of or render ineffective.

Set aside – ἀθετέω (atheteō)

What Paul is saying is that since nothing we do can earn God's grace, nothing we do can take it away!

Though every single believer will struggle with sin, our salvation will never be in jeopardy!

Our righteousness comes through Christ. We are declared righteous at salvation because His righteousness is credited to us.

We are declared righteous because of Christ, now live by faith and walk by faith!

His death was not in vain and nothing I do can invalidate it.

Paul told the Philippians “For me to live is Christ! And to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

Sometimes I think we focus so much on the gain that comes when we die we forget that we are still alive! And since we are still alive we ought to be consumed with living for Christ!

says (S).

Colossians 3:4 NKJV

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Christ is our life. He owns us He purchased us with His blood and has placed us right where we are for a reason!

Are we living for Him?

This is where purpose and meaning come from! You are not an accident. Where you live is not an accident. A sovereign, loving, holy, and all-powerful God created you, equipped you, and has placed you right where you are!

Paul closes this section by stating that if righteousness came by the law, Christ died for nothing.

One commentator said “One must either receive God’s offer of salvation, or insult Him.”

His death was not in vain and nothing I do can invalidate it.

Possessing Christ’s righteousness, we live to bring Him glory.

Jesus Christ has done it all, place your faith in Him, trust in Him, and serve Him!

Sing with me…

#210 Jesus Paid It All (vv. 1, 3)

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #105 “He Is Lord” (chorus)

He is Lord He is Lord He is risen from the dead And He is Lord Ev'ry knee shall bow Ev'ry tongue confess That Jesus Christ is Lord

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #31 “Great Is The Lord” (chorus)

Great are You Lord And worthy of glory Great are You Lord And worthy of praise Great are You Lord I lift up my voice I lift up my voice Great are You Lord

Conclusion

We serve an awesome God who has provided a way for us to spend eternity with Him!

He sent His one and only Son to die a horrible death paying the penalty for sin.

Through faith in Christ’s sacrifice we are able to be declared righteous.

This is what it means for Christ to be our justification.

Justification comes by faith alone. We cannot earn it, buy it, or bribe for it.

Once justified we must make a continual choice to live for Christ.

Sin no longer has dominion over us!

The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to live righteous lives.

There are no legitimate excuses for sin. Stop trying to excuse sin and deal with it Biblically.

May our lives testify of our redemption.

May our faith be in Christ alone and never our works.

Through dependence on the Holy Spirit, may we bring Christ glory.

#210 Jesus Paid It All (v. 4)

Galatians 2:16–21 NKJV

knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which 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 set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

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