JUSTIFICATION
BY FAITH
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| Just As if I Never Sinned- Cleared on all charges |
We
come now specifically to God’s definite works of grace, some times referred to
as “the three experiences”—JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION, and the BAPTISM W1TH
THE HOLY GHOST. Volumes have been written on each of these doctrines, but here
we must be brief, but conclusive. It must be explained at the outset that
JUSTIFICATION assumes the inclusion of regeneration and the new birth. In other
words, though justification is the major work, the experience is not conclusive
without regeneration and the new birth. The full experience is necessary in
order to be saved. Any of the three terms—justification, regeneration, or born
again— are used (loosely, but not really accurately) to mean SALVATION. In this
study, we will deal with the specifics of JUSTIFICATION.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
Habakkuk 1:5; 2:4
5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.I. JUSTIFICATION PROPHESIED (Habakkuk 1:5; 2:4)
Habakkuk’s
prophecy, when given, was mysterious. The Northern Kingdom, Israel, was in
captivity, and Judah would follow in less than forty years. The prophet was
perplexed almost to the point of questioning God’s justice concerning Judah’s
sins going unpunished. God’s mercy and grace are seen in His promise of a
marvelous, unbelievable “work” which He would do at some future time; however,
Judah would be punished also in an unbelievable manner. God would use the
Chaldeans as His instrument of judgment. The prophecy is one with a double
application, which would be understood at the respective times of fulfillment (See 2:2, 3.). The time would come when the self-exalted Chaldeans would be
dealt with also; but any man who was just, or righteous, in whatever era, would
live by his faith in God’s marvelous “work.”
Acts 13:39-41
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
II.
THE PROPHECY MARVELOUSLY FULFILLED (Acts 13:39-41)
Paul,
at the very least, ‘applied Habakkuk’s prophecy to the revelation of the
doctrine of “justification by faith” in Christ’s work in the sinner’s behalf.
The future time Habakkuk spoke of had come, and Paul was trying to convince the
Jews that their Messiah had come and provided this wonderful work of grace.
And we know it is true that they, nationally, “in no wise” believed it. But
Acts 13:42, 43 shows that the Gentiles pled with Paul to preach it unto them.
This gave Paul and Barnabas the opportunity to “persuade them to continue in
the grace of God”; in justification, which is “by grace.. .through faith” (Eph.
2:8, 9).
Galatians 3:11, 12,24
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Romans 5:9
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Galatians 5:4
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
III.
WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?
(Galatians
3:11, 12, 24; Romans 5:9;Galatians 5:4)
There
is no formal definition of justification in the Bible, yet it encompasses the
entire subject of REDEMPTION. Justification is a definite work of God’s grace
whereby an individual is accounted acceptable to God through His Son’s
sacrificial work in man’s behalf, totally apart from man’s law-works.
To
“justify” means to free from blame; declare guiltless; acquit; absolve
(Webster). Therefore, justification is a DECLARATION, or PRONOUNCEMENT BY GOD,
from the divine court, that the believer is accounted righteous by virtue of
blood redemption; forgiven and pardoned of guilt. “Justify,” “justification,”
and “justice” are law terms. It is impossible to rightly understand the
doctrine of Biblical justification in any other context than the law of God.
For example, in an equitable civil court of justice, the criminal must face his
sentence and serve time—”pay his debt to society,” it is said. Once he has done
this, society is expected to treat him as forgiven.
In
God’s court of justice it is the same—with one difference. As an inherently
depraved soul, no man can satisfy the just requirements of God’ holy law—perfect obedience. Death is the
penalty for disobedience, or sin. So, since all are depraved, it would appear
that all must die eternally. But God, in love, mercy, and grace, provided a
way: “For he [God] hath made him [Christ] to be sin FOR US [by imputing man’s
sin to Christ]...[in order] that we might be made the righteousness of God IN
HIM [Christ]” (2 Cor. 5:21; see also Heb. 9:26-28).
IV.
THE “WORK” OF JUSTIFICATION
The
“work” was completely GOD’S work IN CHRIST. Let us illustrate hypothetically:
John Doe is a sinner. He hears the gospel, and the Holy Ghost convicts him. He
sees the sinless Christ beholding him with great compassion. In godly sorrow,
John Doe asks, “What must I do?” Christ answers, as it were, “John, you are
guilty before God. All you can do is repent, then trust Me for the ‘work’.” IF
YOU BELIEVE IN ME, I will take your place in the Father’s judgment. I will make
full satisfaction to the Father’s righteous justice in your behalf. The Father
will accept you in Me, your Substitute, and He will acquit you of all charges
of sin. He will forgive you. He will count you guiltless, for My sake. He will
impute His righteousness unto you. He will become your Father and you will become
John Doe, a son of God by adoption. And He will make you a joint-heir with Me,
His only begotten Son.” John Doe, in genuine repentance and worshipful thankfulness,
answers, “Father, I wholeheartedly BELIEVE IN JESUS as the very Son of God. I
sincerely repent of having sinned against You.” The Father answers, “My son,
you are justified by your faith in Christ. All that the gospel has promised is
yours.”
It
must be understood that God’s definite work of justification is IN CHRIST; not
in us. Again, the work is done outside of us IN CHRIST. We only have to BELIEVE
it and wholeheartedly embrace it. It is imputed, not infused. The
righteousness that is IN US will be studied under REGENERATION and the new
birth. The glory of justification all belongs to God. The merit is the Son’s.
This is what makes it wonderful and marvelous! Hallelujah! May God alone be
praised!!!
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. May God through Christ bless you!
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