Justification
Divinity of Christ (Trinitarianism) – our faith depends on the divine and infinate atonement and propitiation extended to all believers sufficient to impute righteousness and atone sin to God's satisfaction. It takes a perfect sacrifice, life and in abundant measures for justification to be available to all. An angel has limited holiness and would not necessarily be able to supply complete atonement to everyone. Jesus has unlimited atonement and his work is sufficient
lovingkindness
Justification
- Its importance in Scripture – general ideas
- Definition – perhaps definitions of other terms
- Misconceptions
- Why it is necessary to be justified
- The Judicial Act – Justifying the sinner: God justifies the sinner and it is a gift that cannot be earned
- The full scope of justification – the atonement and pardon and the imputation of righteousness that is required for future acts as well
- Application – what this means in the life of the believer
Some basic ideas
● heart of the Gospel
● the Protestant doctrine of justification has been focused primarily on that which is found in the Pauline Corpus
● It is a judicial act of God in which he pardons sinners
Illustration
When a criminal has suffered the penalty affixed to his crime, he has done a part, but not all that the law requires of him. He still owes a perfect obedience to the law in addition to the endurance of the penalty.
Shedd, W. G. T., & Gomes, A. W. (2003). Dogmatic theology. "First one-volume edition (3 vols. in 1)"--Jacket. (3rd ed.) (793). Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub.
Eating is the particular act by which he receives and appropriates food. Strictly speaking, he lives by bread alone, not by eating or the act of masticating. And, strictly speaking, the sinner is justified by Christ’s sacrifice alone, not by his act of believing in it.
Shedd, W. G. T., & Gomes, A. W. (2003). Dogmatic theology. "First one-volume edition (3 vols. in 1)"--Jacket. (3rd ed.) (796). Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub.
What is justification? What does it mean? And, what necessarily follows from it?
The definition:
1 : the act, process, or state of being justified by God
2 a : the act or an instance of justifying : vindication
b : something that justifies
3 : the process or result of justifying lines of text
Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
It is the process, state, instance of, and result of being justified
● that isn't helpful
● what does it mean to be justified?
● What does it mean to be just?
2just \ˈjəst\ adj
[ME, fr. AF & L; AF juste, fr. L justus, fr. jus right, law; akin to Skt yos welfare] 14c
1 a : having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : reasonable 〈a just but not a generous decision〉
b archaic : faithful to an original
c : conforming to a standard of correctness : proper 〈just proportions〉
2 a (1) : acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good : righteous 〈a just war〉
(2) : being what is merited : deserved 〈a just punishment〉
b : legally correct : lawful 〈just title to an estate〉 syn see fair, upright — just•ly adv — just•ness \ˈjəs(t)-nəs\ n
Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Justification is an oft used term in many churches, particularly within evangelical circles that is frequently not adequately understood by the new and old Christians alike.
● if not properly defined can be a difficult concept to learn
● sometimes it is presented with little or no precision
● sometimes it is presented in esoteric terms.
● if not fully understood can lead to incorrect views pertaining to salvation
● if not leading to correct views then it can manifest itself problematically even years after having been saved
● can lead to irreconcilable ideas of faith and works as a means to justification; then grace is no longer a gift but earned
● Sacraments do not confer grace, but testify that a person has been justified by grace
The Judicial Act – Justifying the sinner: God justifies the sinner and it is a gift that cannot be earned
● We've earned judgment on the merits of our sins. A worker is paid what is owed, in our case, apart from Christ we receive what God's justice demands, the “wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23
● Atonement and righteousness from God necessarily for mankind is a gift, we cannot earn our pardon – Romans 4:5-6
● Faith is the instrument by which Christ justifies us. It is not earned through faith but is received according to faith – this will be treated under the section of faith
● Abraham is our example of faith
Romans 4:5-6
ἐργάζομαι – to work oneself with view of receiving a benefit or reward. It isn't just a working in general, but one done with an expectation of being rewarded.
● Going to church during a difficult time in one's life, does not right one with God
● Avoiding damnation is not accomplished by performing liturgical acts with the expectation that God will grant relief from what is due on the account of our sins
● We can't even the ledger by doing enough good works in hopes of being rewarded
Consider Tertullian's remarks regarding the circumcision of Abraham
But Abraham, (you say, ) was circumcised. Yes, but he pleased God before his circumcision;37 nor yet did he observe the Sabbath. For he had “accepted”38 circumcision; but such as was to be for “a sign” of that time, not for a prerogative title to salvation. In fact, subsequent patriarchs were uncircumcised, like Melchizedek, who, uncircumcised, offered to Abraham himself, already circumcised, on his return from battle, bread and wine.
Roberts, A., Donaldson, J., & Coxe, A. C. (1997). The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. III : Translations of the writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325. Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian. (153). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.
The full scope of justification – the atonement and pardon and the imputation of righteousness that is required for future acts as well
● It seems to counter Scripture, particularly, OT – but Christ's atonement rectifies that misconception and lies at the basis by which sinful man can be made righteous.
● It is final and pertains to the judgment of the Last Day. It is Eschatological in scope and immutable.
● Eschatological in that it abates for the sinner the retribution of sin as a matter of justice
● immutable in that it is required without exception that everyone give an account of their life, which implies that are life will be examined and we will be found guilty.
● It is entirely on the basis of the work of Christ and through our faith in that, not by our efforts to be holy – but there is regeneration
● What is Righteousness
● It is a requital, but not a declaration of our innocence. We are pardoned for our transgressions on the basis of Christ's vicarious atonement. We are guilty of the sin but not subject to its punishment. The penalty of guilt is removed.
“Forgiveness may be defined; 1. in personal terms, as a cessation of the anger or moral resentment of God against sin; 2. in ethical terms, as a release from the guilt of sin which oppresses the conscience; 3. in legal terms, as a remission of the punishment of sin, which is eternal death.”
Strong, A. H. (2004). Systematic theology. "The present work is a revision and enlargement of my 'Systematic Theology,' first published in 1886."--Pref. (854). Bellingham, Wa.: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Through justification God maintains His integrity and His standard, yet is able to enter into fellowship with sinners because they have the very righteousness of Christ imputed to them.
Enns, P. P. (1997, c1989). The Moody handbook of theology (326). Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press.
To justify means to set forth as righteous; to declare righteous in a legal sense; to put a person in a right relation. It does not deal, at least not directly, with character or conduct; it is a question of relationship. Of course both character and conduct will be conditioned and controlled by this relationship. No real righteousness on the part of the person justified is to be asserted, but that person is declared to be righteous and is treated as such. Strictly speaking then, justification is the judicial act of God whereby those who put faith in Christ are declared righteous in His eyes, and free from guilt and punishment.
Evans, W., & Coder, S. M. (1998, c1974). The great doctrines of the Bible. Includes index. (Eng. ed.) (156). Chicago: Moody Press.
There is an implied division between the spiritual realm and what we observe in the world.
According to the values instilled in us by way of worldly experience, we find that one earns what they have whether it be good or bad and thus they take ownership of whatever circumstance in which they find themselves. In the spiritual sense, on the other hand, we are given what we do not deserve and that makes our salvation a gift that the Scriptures teach is based on the instrument of faith in God's provision through Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it is a gratuitous act that is based on the instrument of faith in God's provision through Jesus Christ, so that even faith does not earn our salvation for us, but is the means through which we hope and trust in God.
Thusly, rather than amassing individual efforts and surpluses of good deeds, or reaping the results of bad deeds, and realizing some net balance from the ledger of our lives, we are, in fact, totally dependent on the Lord in the procurement and even the hope of our salvation. It is not a final summation of all the good and bad we've done as even one sin disqualifies us, but rather the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord that firmly establishes us in the courts of God's justice. It is a solid and permanent foundation built on faith in the One who freely gives and is able to forgive.
Different perspectives of Justification
● δικαιόω – Declaring one just – Signifies the judicial aspect but doesn't ignore the practical implications such as what it leads to in man beyond acquittal
● δικαίωσις - the act or process of declaring one just – Christ's death made our justification possible which in Romans 5:18 is referred to as an act of “righteousness” which in tern is in the sense of making just then framed as a justifying act and process by which it occurs. He justifies us through justification
● δικαίωμα – justification that has been accomplished; the product of being justified – the requirements of God have been completed in us judicially speaking by Christ.
● Δικαιοσύνη – the state of one who is declared righteous; it becomes a principle of action Romans 6:13 that flows naturally from that which is in a state of declared righteousness The term stems from being acquitted and the relationship comes from that direction.
Application – State the argument: A sinner is freed from eternal separation and justified to walk in a new life, therefore he may now live a life pleasing to God
● Can walk in a new life refreshed and clean from the consequences of sin
● No need to worry about past acts impeding our relationship with God, although there may be earthly consequences
● Our obedience, regardless of whatever current sins are present, can be completed and credited as righteous through Christ
● God uses us despite our continuing imperfections through the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us
● Find Scriptural support for these points – clarify them
Sanctification
Key verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Th 4:3-4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Although the control of sexual lust and abstinence from such lust is important, the main idea of focus here is the sanctification of the Believer. Two things are clear from this: One, it is the will of God that we be sanctified. Two, that we exhibit by volition or will the practice of sanctification in our lives. Unlike Justification, there is as sense or aspect of sanctification that is not imputed to the Believer but is to be worked out, so that there is an effort-filled characteristic associated with Sanctification that entails a process that leads to progress.
Thus it follows from this stand-point, that we, the moment we profess salvation, are not instantly transformed so that all of our acts are suddenly holy and acceptable to the Lord. There is a difference between judicial pardon and the living out that pardon out in our lives. The former is an act of grace, or a gift of God while the latter is an outgrowth of faith on the part of the Believer. The former is an instantaneous, plenary (complete) release from debt, the latter an ongoing process in the Believer's life. The latter cannot exist without the former. It is impossible for an unpardoned person to begin the process of sanctification for the simple reason that person has not received the effectual ingredient which can bring about fundamental change. That person is said to be in an unregenerate state theologically speaking and bears the full guilt of their sin. A pardoned person does not bear any guilt and is declared clean and a vessel by which God begins to craft into his image by way of the Holy Spirit.. So Sanctification is not an unaided process in that the Believer is left on his or her own, so to speak.
What is Sanctification, are there two kinds, one imputed the other manifested in our lives?
Elaborate the process and progress aspect
● To disregard sanctification is to disregard God and invites doubt into the actual or true salvation of the Believer's 1 Thessalonian 4:8
● 1 Thessalonian 4:7 – There should be undeniable progress not stagnation. We begin at impurity, therefore we should show less and less amounts of it.
● It is something to be requested by prayer – find Scriptural support – as God is the source this only seems reasonable (initiation and continuation)
What Sanctification isn't
Conduct, Christian.
1. Believing God. Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12.
2. Fearing God. Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17.
3. Loving God. De 6:5; Mt 22:37.
4. Following God. Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16.
5. Obeying God. Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3.
6. Rejoicing in God. Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18.
7. Believing in Christ. Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23.
8. Loving Christ. Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8.
9. Following the example of Christ. Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24.
10. Obeying Christ. Joh 14:21; 15:14.
11. Living
a. To Christ. Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15.
b. To righteousness. Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24.
c. Soberly, righteously, and godly. Tit 2:12.
12. Walking
a. Honestly. 1Th 4:12.
b. Worthy of God. 1Th 2:12.
c. Worthy of the Lord. Col 1:10.
d. In the Spirit. Ga 5:25.
e. After the Spirit. Ro 8:1.
f. In newness of life. Ro 6:4.
g. Worthy of vocation. Eph 4:1.
h. As children of light. Eph 5:8.
13. Rejoicing in Christ. Php 3:1; 4:4.
14. Loving one another. Joh 15:12; Ro 12:10; 1Co 13:1-13; Eph 5:2; Heb 13:1.
15. Striving for the faith. Php 1:27; Jude 1:3.
16. Putting away all sin. 1Co 5:7; Heb 12:1.
17. Abstaining from all appearance of evil. 1Th 5:22.
18. Perfecting holiness. Mt 5:48; 2Co 7:1; 2Ti 3:17.
19. Hating defilement. Jude 1:23.
20. Following after that which is good. Php 4:8; 1Th 5:15; 1Ti 6:11.
21. Overcoming the world. 1Jo 5:4,5.
22. Adorning the gospel. Mt 5:16; Tit 2:10.
23. Showing a good example. 1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 2:12; Tit 2:7.
24. Abounding in the work of the Lord. 1Co 15:58; 2Co 8:7; 1Th 4:1.
25. Shunning the wicked. Ps 1:1; 2Th 3:6.
26. Controlling the body. 1Co 9:27; Col 3:5.
27. Subduing the temper. Eph 4:26; Jas 1:19.
28. Submitting to injuries. Mt 5:39-41; 1Co 6:7.
29. Forgiving injuries. Mt 6:14; Ro 12:20.
30. Living peaceably with all. Ro 12:18; Heb 12:14.
31. Visiting the afflicted. Mt 25:36; Jas 1:27.
32. Doing as we would be done by. Mt 7:12; Lu 6:31.
33. Sympathising with others. Ga 6:2; 1Th 5:14.
34. Honouring others. Ps 15:4; Ro 12:10.
35. Fulfilling domestic duties. Eph 6:1-8; 1Pe 3:1-7.
36. Submitting to Authorities. Ro 13:1-7.
37. Being liberal to others. Ac 20:35; Ro 12:13.
38. Being contented. Php 4:11; Heb 13:5.
39. Blessedness of maintaining. Ps 1:1-3; 19:9-11; 50:23; Mt 5:3-12; Joh 15:10; 7:17.
Torrey, R. (1995, c1897). The new topical text book : A scriptural text book for the use of ministers, teachers, and all Christian workers. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos research Systems, Inc.
Consider Exodus 40:9-15 in the idea of consecration of those things set apart for the service of the Lord. There are those things that are holy and most holy.