The Doctrine of Salvation
How
"Righteousness by Faith"
Really Works
"Righteousness by Faith"
Really Works
Section C:
What are Justification
& Sanctification?
What are Justification
& Sanctification?
Lesson 9:
Justification Declared
(11:41)
Justification Declared
(11:41)
Lesson 9 Transcript:
Justification Declared
Justification Declared
We are all sinners. Not by birth or by inheritance or by bad luck, but by our own choices to do things our way instead of God's way, which is the only way of happiness and peace. This means that all of us, no matter how cultured or educated we may be, we are guilty, condemned, lost sinners.
It is only when we recognize this basic fact of life in a fallen world that we have any hope of anything better. By our own choices we deserve to be excluded forever from the life that was originally planned for the human race. It is only when we realize our desperate situation that we will reach out to God for deliverance from our hopeless plight.
In the next four lessons we will explore God's solution to our very serious problem. God has provided a way out of our dilemma, and we want to be sure that we find and follow His remedy, rather than a humanly devised remedy that might make us feel good as we proceed on our merry way to destruction. (Proverbs 14:12)
It is only when we recognize this basic fact of life in a fallen world that we have any hope of anything better. By our own choices we deserve to be excluded forever from the life that was originally planned for the human race. It is only when we realize our desperate situation that we will reach out to God for deliverance from our hopeless plight.
In the next four lessons we will explore God's solution to our very serious problem. God has provided a way out of our dilemma, and we want to be sure that we find and follow His remedy, rather than a humanly devised remedy that might make us feel good as we proceed on our merry way to destruction. (Proverbs 14:12)
How many have sinned?
- Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Most human beings have sinned.
True False
True False
The Bible tells us in many ways that every human being is a sinner -- all have sinned and justly deserve eternal separation from God, which means destruction (death). None of us can claim to be good or righteous, no matter how morally acceptable our lives may appear, because deep within our characters is the root of selfishness, which we have nurtured all our lives.
We live for self, which is exactly the opposite of God's way. Although our way feels right to our fallen nature, our way leads to self-destruction. The only comfort that we can take is that all of us are in the same predicament together.
We live for self, which is exactly the opposite of God's way. Although our way feels right to our fallen nature, our way leads to self-destruction. The only comfort that we can take is that all of us are in the same predicament together.
What must I do to be saved?
- Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.
A. We are saved by living better lives.
B. We are saved by believing on Jesus.
C. We are saved by going to church.
B. We are saved by believing on Jesus.
C. We are saved by going to church.
Since we have no way to solve our problem on our own, God has provided a way out. He has made His solution clear and simple, so that no one is excluded from His solution because of lack of education or money. Every human being, no matter what his or her circumstances may be can turn to Jesus for their salvation. If we will believe that Jesus lived and died to save us, then we have taken the first step out of the hopeless situation in which we all find ourselves.
Are there many ways of salvation?
- Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (authority) under heaven given among men, whereby we must (can only) be saved.
A. Salvation is possible only through
the life and death of Jesus.
B. There are many ways of salvation.
C. If we do the best we can, we will be saved.
the life and death of Jesus.
B. There are many ways of salvation.
C. If we do the best we can, we will be saved.
The Bible is very exclusive about the way of salvation. Over and over again, the Bible says that only through God's provided way -- the life and death of His Son -- is salvation possible. No human teacher or philosophy or religion can save us. No matter how many millions may follow another way of salvation, there is no hope of escape unless we follow God's way. All other solutions to the problem of sin are dead-ends -- leading only to destruction (death).
What about those who don't know about Jesus?
What about those who don't know about Jesus?
- Acts 17:30 - And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.
A. Those who don't know about Jesus
will be lost.
B. God doesn't care if we are ignorant.
C. God does not hold us responsible
for what we do not know.
will be lost.
B. God doesn't care if we are ignorant.
C. God does not hold us responsible
for what we do not know.
We serve a very merciful and fair God. While the only way of salvation is the life and death of Jesus, God does not hold individual sinners responsible for the ignorance of their age or culture. He will take into account the circumstances of a person's life, especially regarding the light or truth available to that person.
If a person responds to God and obeys God with limited understanding of Him, Jesus' atoning blood will cover that person, as long as there is a sincere and complete yielding to God in response to the moral promptings of His Holy Spirit.
If a person responds to God and obeys God with limited understanding of Him, Jesus' atoning blood will cover that person, as long as there is a sincere and complete yielding to God in response to the moral promptings of His Holy Spirit.
What is justification?
- Romans 4:6-8 - Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
A. Justification is forgiveness.
B. Justification is righteousness imputed to us.
C. Justification is freedom to sin.
B. Justification is righteousness imputed to us.
C. Justification is freedom to sin.
The first thing to understand about justification is that God forgives our sins. Since we can do nothing to change our past choices, God simply forgives or pardons us. We are no longer guilty of our sins. This is the declarative aspect of justification. To be justified is to be pardoned, to be acquitted, to be counted righteous. God declares us forgiven and pardoned, without us having to perform any works to earn our forgiveness.
How was Abraham justified?
- Romans 4:2-3 - For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
A. Abraham could be proud of his justification.
B. Abraham was justified by believing God.
C. Abraham was counted as righteous.
B. Abraham was justified by believing God.
C. Abraham was counted as righteous.
Doing good works, even the best of works, does not provide or earn justification. Justification is a gift of God's grace, undeserved and unearned. When we believe in God's promises and accept Christ's life and death for us, we are counted righteous. We are justified or declared to be righteous (After all, He just forgave us for the sins that made us guilty.)
Why are we able to be saved?
- Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (given us life) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).
Salvation is totally by God's grace.
True False
True False
The only chance any of us have for salvation is the fact that God is love. Only because of His mercy and grace toward us do we have any hope of an escape from destruction. No matter what we learn about justification and sanctification, we must never forget that salvation is by grace, totally undeserved and unmerited. We can cooperate with God's justification, but we can ever contribute to our justification. Nothing we do can justify us.
What is the result of justification?
- Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The great gift of justification provides for us what no good deeds or valiant effort can provide -- peace with God. Guilt is gone, fear is gone, uncertainty is gone. They are replaced by peace and joy, because we are counted righteous for Christ's sake.
"Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but because Christ receives him as His child by adoption... The grace of Christ is freely given to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part.
Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God's forgiving grace." (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1071)
Justification by faith is the most basic principle of the gospel. It is the bottom line of salvation. If we do not experience justification, we have no hope of salvation. Justification is adoption into the family of God. God declares me righteous.
"Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but because Christ receives him as His child by adoption... The grace of Christ is freely given to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part.
Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God's forgiving grace." (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1071)
Justification by faith is the most basic principle of the gospel. It is the bottom line of salvation. If we do not experience justification, we have no hope of salvation. Justification is adoption into the family of God. God declares me righteous.