Transcript of Review C
Welcome once again to our course on The Doctrine of Salvation - How “Righteousness by Faith” Really Works
This presentation is a Review of Section C (Lessons 9-12):
This presentation is a Review of Section C (Lessons 9-12):
Sin: Destiny or Choice
How can God do the “impossible” in us? 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.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) and “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23).
By our own choices we deserve to be excluded forever from the eternal life that God has 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 His infinite love, God has provided a way out of our dilemma, and we need to follow His remedy, rather than the human-invented one; which only makes us feel good as we proceed on our way to destruction.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31).
The first step is to believe in the great price Jesus paid for our sins. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6).
How can we help but love the One who gave His life for us, and repent of the sins that nailed Him to the cross (Romans 2:4)?
Since we can do nothing to change our past choices, when we repent, which means to be sorry for our sins and turn away from them, God forgives or pardons us.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly Pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7; see also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 6:14-15).
When we are pardoned, we are no longer guilty sinners. This is called justification, which no good deeds or valiant efforts can provide.
“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
Each of us is given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). When we exercise that faith, believing and trusting in the promises of His Word, we receive peace with God. (John 14:27)
But as with all parts of God’s saving gospel, some have counterfeited this aspect of salvation. Some Christians limit justification to forgiveness alone. They forget that forgiveness is only half of justification. Their view is only a partial solution to our problem.
What is the second part of justification? “According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
To be justified includes the cleansing of regeneration, the renewal of the mind. (Romans 12:2).
This is a heart experience -- a complete transformation. It changes my values and my attitudes. No longer am I self-centered; now I am Christ-centered and others-centered. Now I have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) I walk as He walked. (1 John 2:6)
How did Jesus describe the salvation process? “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
Jesus did not use the word justification as often as Paul did, but He clearly taught that the new birth is essential to salvation. The new birth does not follow justification -- it is justification.
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:6-7, 11)
The “old man” is our old way of living, in which selfishness rules our lives. This “old man” must die and be replaced by the “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Just as the old man and sinning are synonymous, so the new creature and obedience are synonymous. (see Ezekiel 36:26-27; 1 John 3:7; Romans 2:13, Romans 6:16)
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) and “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23).
By our own choices we deserve to be excluded forever from the eternal life that God has 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 His infinite love, God has provided a way out of our dilemma, and we need to follow His remedy, rather than the human-invented one; which only makes us feel good as we proceed on our way to destruction.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31).
The first step is to believe in the great price Jesus paid for our sins. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6).
How can we help but love the One who gave His life for us, and repent of the sins that nailed Him to the cross (Romans 2:4)?
Since we can do nothing to change our past choices, when we repent, which means to be sorry for our sins and turn away from them, God forgives or pardons us.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly Pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7; see also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 6:14-15).
When we are pardoned, we are no longer guilty sinners. This is called justification, which no good deeds or valiant efforts can provide.
“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
Each of us is given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). When we exercise that faith, believing and trusting in the promises of His Word, we receive peace with God. (John 14:27)
But as with all parts of God’s saving gospel, some have counterfeited this aspect of salvation. Some Christians limit justification to forgiveness alone. They forget that forgiveness is only half of justification. Their view is only a partial solution to our problem.
What is the second part of justification? “According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
To be justified includes the cleansing of regeneration, the renewal of the mind. (Romans 12:2).
This is a heart experience -- a complete transformation. It changes my values and my attitudes. No longer am I self-centered; now I am Christ-centered and others-centered. Now I have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) I walk as He walked. (1 John 2:6)
How did Jesus describe the salvation process? “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
Jesus did not use the word justification as often as Paul did, but He clearly taught that the new birth is essential to salvation. The new birth does not follow justification -- it is justification.
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:6-7, 11)
The “old man” is our old way of living, in which selfishness rules our lives. This “old man” must die and be replaced by the “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Just as the old man and sinning are synonymous, so the new creature and obedience are synonymous. (see Ezekiel 36:26-27; 1 John 3:7; Romans 2:13, Romans 6:16)
Justification is being (1) Forgiven and (2) Transformed.
Sanctification is another element of the gospel which also must be clearly understood. It has two parts, as well.
What does the word “sanctify”mean? “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” (Genesis 2:3) The most basic meaning of sanctification is “to set apart for a holy use." God set the seventh day apart for the human race to use in a holy way.
How does this meaning relate to new Christians? “But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
When we are washed and justified, we are also set apart for a holy use. God looks at us now, not in filthy garments of sin, but clothed with the pure righteousness of Christ. (Zechariah 3:4; Isaiah 61:10)
What is the second part of sanctification? “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
As we spend time with God, we see more and more of His glory, and we become more and more like Him in character.
Sanctification involves spending quality time with Jesus through personal Bible study, prayer and yielding to His instruction so that we can be changed into His likeness.
Jesus prayed for us: “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) mAnd His Holy Spirit is our Guide “into all truth” (John 16:13)
Paul gives insight into this experience. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) and “I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31) and “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
Our part is to place our will on God’s side. We must die daily to our natural desires and inclinations. Moment by moment, we ask for and depend on His grace, His power, to resist temptation and obey His commandments. (Romans 1:5; Hebrews 4:16; James 4:7-8) This is Bible sanctification.
The bottom line is that God saves us through justification combined with sanctification. It is dangerous to say that we are saved by justification alone while sanctification is only a fruit of salvation.
Sanctification makes us ready to dwell in heavenly places. Dying daily to self is necessary; holiness is essential to salvation.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
Salvation is “through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
“The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways.” (Deuteronomy 28:9).
If we are not living a sanctified life, we are not saved.
Both justification and sanctification are God’s gracious gifts to lost and hopeless sinners.
What does the word “sanctify”mean? “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” (Genesis 2:3) The most basic meaning of sanctification is “to set apart for a holy use." God set the seventh day apart for the human race to use in a holy way.
How does this meaning relate to new Christians? “But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
When we are washed and justified, we are also set apart for a holy use. God looks at us now, not in filthy garments of sin, but clothed with the pure righteousness of Christ. (Zechariah 3:4; Isaiah 61:10)
What is the second part of sanctification? “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
As we spend time with God, we see more and more of His glory, and we become more and more like Him in character.
Sanctification involves spending quality time with Jesus through personal Bible study, prayer and yielding to His instruction so that we can be changed into His likeness.
Jesus prayed for us: “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) mAnd His Holy Spirit is our Guide “into all truth” (John 16:13)
Paul gives insight into this experience. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) and “I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31) and “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
Our part is to place our will on God’s side. We must die daily to our natural desires and inclinations. Moment by moment, we ask for and depend on His grace, His power, to resist temptation and obey His commandments. (Romans 1:5; Hebrews 4:16; James 4:7-8) This is Bible sanctification.
The bottom line is that God saves us through justification combined with sanctification. It is dangerous to say that we are saved by justification alone while sanctification is only a fruit of salvation.
Sanctification makes us ready to dwell in heavenly places. Dying daily to self is necessary; holiness is essential to salvation.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
Salvation is “through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
“The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways.” (Deuteronomy 28:9).
If we are not living a sanctified life, we are not saved.
Both justification and sanctification are God’s gracious gifts to lost and hopeless sinners.
Justification is being (1) Forgiven and (2) Transformed.
Sanctification is (1) Being set aside for a holy use, and (2) Depending on the grace of Christ to live a holy (sanctified) life.
All 4 aspects are essential for salvation.
This is how God can do the “impossible” in you!
Sanctification is (1) Being set aside for a holy use, and (2) Depending on the grace of Christ to live a holy (sanctified) life.
All 4 aspects are essential for salvation.
This is how God can do the “impossible” in you!