Justification by faith

Justification by Faith
August 20, 2012
Knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but, a righteousness which comes from God. We know that a person is justified not by works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the work of the law. In Isaiah 45: 25 say in Lord shall all the seeds of Israel be justified and shall glory. Justification is the process of one being made right through the word of God. This is the way that one can be cleansed and to restored to God through Christ. In (Romans 1-16) it says “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Further in (Roman 1-17) it states for there in is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.

In the first verse (Romans 1-16) Paul show his Zeal to preach the gospel to the people of Rome. Yet the Apostle lays his foundation when he uses the term the righteous will live by faith. Verses 16 and 17 are important part to Paul’s letter to Rome. The Apostle Paul states he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ through God. His advocacy of the law was one his strong points that he would use in his doctrinal letter to the church in Rome. The Apostle Paul seems to give favoritism to the Jews. Other time he is critical of the Jews. The term “righteousness of God “in verse 17 means a righteousness that brings love and salvation, this can also mean a righteousness that is faith from first to last. The standard theme saying the righteousness shall live by faith. The power of God brings salvation for everyone who believes: first the Jews, then the Gentiles. Some people felt the Jews were given a priority to all things became they were God’s people. Paul wrote a long theological letter to the Roman Christians to change some of their wrong ideas. Apostle Paul felt disturbed about their opinions.

Verse 17 in Romans relate to justification by faith specifically because the connection is God. Paul felt that this righteousness of God can only be experienced through faith and works. The Apostle Paul assented that a person could be only righteous or justified only by faith. This is not the final words of God on this issue of justification and real love. The attributes of grace and mercy was left out by Paul. The righteousness of God can denote God’s justice. God is absolutely just and impartial, fair determining the rights and wrongs of every person and situation. God does not deal with people in a vacuum. He has established a covenant relationship with them. Righteousness can take on the concept of faithfulness.

The relationship between works and reward must be monitored closely. The mercy and grace factor is a great influence on this relationship. Apostle Paul talks about the work factor as well as the worker, Christian works sometimes do not endure the judgment. The fire actually does not purify the works but rather judges its workmanship. Paul was a believer in faith and works and states constantly that justification came through your works. The Apostle Paul discussed two types of materials to describe the quality and enduring nature of a believers work. There are the imperishable objects like (“gold, silver and costly stones”) which endure and survive the judgement. The perishable materials like (”wood, hay and stubble”) which do not endure the judgement. Remember, works are built on the completed foundation: Jesus Christ and his perfect accomplished redemption. Paul is working to the ministers of the gospel directly.

There is a real reward for enduring work. He likes to refer to the work that is based on human wisdom rather than God’s word as labor. The work of God is eternal and enduring throughout time. Human work is not eternal plus it is not enduring. Paul focus is to spur Christians to greater efforts in serving judgment seat of Christ. God is the supreme entity of all people. He serves the believers and entices the poor to salvation. The revelation of the wrath of God (1:18-32) is talking about people turning away from the law of God. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men. The righteousness of God is mentioning staying away from sin in your Christian life. The wrath of God gives out the punishment for leaving God and yielding to the devices of sin. God has made it plain to mankind about his ministry. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature have already been seen by humanity.

The discussions continue to discuss the problems of salvation, true holiness plus avoiding the wiles of the enemy. God let the believers know that sin would not be tolerated by anyone or group. Thos people that did not choose to obey God and the rules would be punished. That is why some were given over to their shameful lusts and they were giving over to a depraved spirit to wander in their sin. The implications of God’s wrath in Paul’s use of the concept of salvation states that both Jews and Gentiles were not completely following the word of God. Paul was condemning the gentiles only to find out the Jews were doing the same things. God’s judgement is used on truths. His judgment is just and impartial and based on facts. Salvation according to Paul is works by justification. Paul “levels the playing field” for Jews and Gentiles by saying both will be judged by God on the basis of works, Doing evil will bring wrath, but doing good will bring eternal life, Christ saved men from the bondage of sin, and the spiritual bondage of the old man.

The continued serving of God through Christ will bless their souls on a daily basis. The subject of faith by works will justify your salvation has been constantly presented by the Apostle Paul. Yet he has grace of God is the final word considering true salvation. The concept of salvation has other forms such as people who without coming to know Christ explicitly, are enabled by God’s grace to be saved. Salvation is through Christ to serve and represent God. Paul’s theories have been represented in this text to view some of his teachings. It is true that God is the author and creator of our faith. Jesus is the sacrifice and sin covering for all humanity. Grace and mercy through God saved the world. The Contemporary Evangelical church has a difficult time in maintain the relationship between the two concepts of God’s righteousness and God’s wrath. There could be the problem of believers understanding as well as receiving the principles of both.

The Pastors and ministers must be able to balance spontaneity and obligation. The spirit of God must guide them to approach their churches at the right time. I do not believe The Contemporary Evangelical Church has been able to maintain the relationship because of the influence of habits creeping into the church. First the believers must have the spirit of obedience in the churches. There must be constant prayer and fasting in the churches to help resolve this and other issues. The spirit of giving must be developed in the hearts of the believers. There has to be a prayer group for the Pastor, ministers and the church as a family. Women have always been a solid part in the foundation of all churches. They should be respected at all times in the churches. The people should regard their church as a family with the purpose to serve the one and only living God. Love must be at the core of the foundation of the church. I will continue to explain about the justification of faith.

The bible teaches that God’s people are justified by or through faith. (Rom. 1:17; 3:25, Gal. 2:16). Faith is the instrument which lays hold of Jesus Christ and his merits. There generating power of God enables a person to believe. He gives the person the gift of faith and by this faith he embraces Jesus Christ and all his benefits. Justifying faith is never presented as the grounds for a believer’s justification. God does not need to repent and he is not needed to cry for salvation. Faith is the activity on the part of the person and of him alone. Through faith we received rest upon Christ alone for salvation. “We are justified not merely by faith, but by faith in Christ.” This is not because what faith is, but because of what faith lays hold of and receives. People are saved by believing and not for believing in the world. Faith is not a builder but a beholder because, it has nothing to give or achieve. Yet faith has all to receive in the word of Christ. In the concept of justification by faith it involves the word of God, the spirit of God plus the receiver of the divine gift. Remember that he does not accept a man`s faith in place of a perfect obedience to the law.

Yet God rather accepts Christ`s perfect obedience laid hold off by faith. There is a major difference between these two views. The doctrine of justification deals with the question of how God, who is holy (Ex. 15:11; Lev. 11:44) can deal with the men who are guilty of breaking his law. God is one who demands ethical perfect in these creatures. Justification refers to the legal, judicial and forensic declaration of God. Luther felt that if the article of justification stands, the church stands. Yet they feel if it falls the church falls. Calvin felt this doctrine was the main hinge on which religion turns. There was a difference in opinion about justification between Luther and Calvin. Turret in declared justification is one of the greatest importances in Christian religion. Reformed the theologian Reymond has written that justification is “the heart and core of the gospel.” Luther had rejected a medieval church which offered salvation by merits and good works.

Judaism was assumed to be a legalistic church with salvation being dependent on human efforts and satisfied with the results. The statements were opinions of leaders regarding justification according to their beliefs and their cultural backgrounds. Dunn had grappled with the traditional protestant teachings on justification. There were many disagreements about justification among Luther and Calvin regarding the traditional interpretation on the view mentioned above. Greece and merit seems to be an important regarding salvation in respect to justification, in regard to Paul’s view of Roman justification. Dunn claims that righteousness is a good example of a term that meaning is more determined by the brew background. The protestant the Ologians states that the view “to justify means to reckon as righteous. The catholic version is that it means to make righteous in their opinion. Culture has a definite effect on the meaning of words and concepts in theology. Dunn also believes that the conflict between Protestant and Catholic views holds some similarities. 1Yet he feels that both could stand some modifying in their views on justification. Some view justification is based on works, while other people see that grace is another important factor.

Justification is a combination of faith and works which includes the righteousness of God our heavenly father. Dunn was a well known and respected author concerning theology and the concepts of religion. There were some questions about some of his theories. Paul insists that the works of law cannot justify people’s lives. (Roman 3:20). The works of law were similar to the Mosaic Law because both operated socially. There are works of the law which would separate the Jews from Gentiles. The area would be in society, circumcision, the food laws and the Sabbath. This was the views and thoughts of Paul on the subjects listed. The traditional doctrine of justification often interacts with the view that notes works of the law. There is a limit that usually refers to the works of the ceremonial laws. Paul excluded some ceremonial laws but not moral laws. This was the opinions of some authors on the Apostle Paul views. Then the subject of hesitation on preaching the traditional protestant doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith.

This point would be based on the work of Christ alone. The believers must still be convinced that the traditional doctrine is biblically faithful and theologically consistent. Therefore justification is not just all works and no spiritual grace and love and being involved in this concept. The lives of Christians are balanced by justification plus grace righteousness of love through Christ Jesus. Christians are supposed to be a new creature free the bonds of sin. They are no longer bound to sin and evil. The real believers have a need to fast and pray to build their foundation. Paul still contends that works by justification is part of the faith and righteousness of God. The righteousness of God through Christ is the key to salvation. Justification receives its power base from the power of God through divine grace and mercy.

In the book of Romans in where Paul develops the concept of Justification through faith in Jesus, not works. Paul begins with the gospel (1:1-11:36) and finishes with his exhortation to Christian living (12:1- 15:22). Chapter 16 lets you know this section is also a hall of fame for women. God’s plan of salvation made available to all humanity “in and “through Jesus Christ by faith. (1:16-17). There is more information about God’s righteousness and its relationship to humanity. God’s wisdom is that he has made his righteousness available to all who will put their trust in Jesus. After the Apostle Paul organizes God’s means of Justification, he compares the conditions of the Jews and Gentiles.

He viewed the standing of the Gentiles (1:18-26) and Jews (2:17-28). Paul noted that both are sinners and stands in need of salvation. When a person is put in a right relationship with God through faith, this person wants to honor and serve God through Christ. Paul’s salvation is only the beginnings one’s walk with God. In salvation the believer is freed from God’s wrath plus the dominion of sin. The Christians is freed from the curse of the law. Justification is not a change in one’s moral state; it is what God does to credit his righteousness. The righteousness that belongs to God is a righteousness that is outside both men and women. The righteousness from God is not personal holiness or even correct teaching. 3The Apostle Paul elaborates on the negatives and positives of justification. He used Abraham as a model upon which to base his relationship to God the father.

The Apostle states Abraham was justified by faith (4:16-25). He used the example of Abraham to state that one can be justified by faith alone. Righteousness comes as two kinds. There is righteousness as an attribute and righteousness that is vicarious. Paul had his views on faith. Paul employs the word gospel twelve times (1:1, 2, 9, 15). The phrase through him states that salvation can only be in Jesus. (Romans 1:5; 5:9; 8:37). 4The word faith occurs forty times (1:5, 8, 12, 17). The gospel is good news about God’s way of salvation “In Christ” by faith, not works. The good news is that God what is needed for one’s salvation. The good news is that God invaded history to free men and women from the bondage of guilt and sin. In Jesus one witnesses the love of God as a gift. In the cross of Jesus, one can accept the forgiveness needed to serve God and be blessed by his power of the Holy Spirit.5 In the book of Romans, he develops God’s justification for his wrath against all ungodliness. The grace of God help brings liberty or freedom to the saints of the living God. Jesus Christ is noted as the only remedy or escape form sin. 6The law was used as bonders to help guide the believers.

Paul states that he calls attention to righteousness from God is essential for salvation. Paul talks about the core of justification according to the book of Romans. He further notes in Romans 3:21-24. It says but now righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known to which the law and the prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.7 There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (3-21-24). The gospel tells us of a righteousness provided by God, in and through our hand. Yes God’s grace provides the righteousness the law demands. Gospel is about God’s record of redemption for man in Christ Jesus. This is man’s defense against the curse of the law.

God sent Jesus not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. There is the power of God through the law and justification by faith. I have spoken on Justification in many ways and viewed many points. In my conclusion I would remind the people of the teaching of Paul in a brief and basic informative manner. Paul taught the only way to escape the wrath of God is to be justified. The Apostle Paul taught that justification happen only by faith in Christ, apart from the works of the law, also that only by faith in Christ one receive the Holy Spirit. This gift from god provides the divine power to keep you living righteously. Know that a man is not justified by works of the law but, a righteousness which comes from God. We Know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ.

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