What is Justification
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Is God approachable?
Is God approachable?
Though many of us, at least in this place, do not think about this question I think it is important to sometimes bring to the forefront what we may just assume as a “simple, easy” answer.
God is approachable to all.
God is approachable to all.
This is I believe the answer of Scripture.
How do we approach God?
How do we approach God?
Since God is approachable the question becomes, “how do we come to Him?” This is what Scripture lays out for us to clearly understand.
Justification answers this question.
Justification answers this question.
If we can understand the doctrine of justification we will be able to experience transformation.
What is Biblical justification?
What is Biblical justification?
This is our question this morning. It speaks to many areas of our life and I will try to briefly point those out. However, I am also trying to constrain myself to our passage this morning
Justification concerns our standing and status before God.
Justification concerns our standing and status before God.
It is a legal, moral and ethical standing. This is why the Jews felt keeping the whole law was necessary to “prove you were in good standing with God”. In fact, it was a way of differentiating between good people and sinners.
Justification is a gift from God.
Justification is a gift from God.
Justification is something God has provided for any and all to experience. It is primarily about God’s gracious, steadfast, and convenantal love for His people.
Justification is a switching of identity.
Justification is a switching of identity.
Whether it was the sacrificial system or now the new covenant. The person being justified switched identities with the “other party”. This is the idea of being “declared righteous” as I translate it in our text.
Justification cannot be obtained by “works”.
Justification cannot be obtained by “works”.
We cannot earn right standing before God on our own. This is the point of the Law.
Being justified transforms daily life.
Being justified transforms daily life.
This was the point of the law and the point of grace. Because of “switching identities” with Christ we must be different. This is the point of verses 19-21.
Faith is the door into justification.
Faith is the door into justification.
Faith/believe is the door one enters. It is believe, whole body, that God provides what he says he will provide. It is not primarily a mental ascent.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
What value is Christ to you/us?
What value is Christ to you/us?
This is where Paul leaves us in our text. Did Christ death mean nothing? Does Christ’s death mean something?