Justification, Study, Know, Apply

Why is the doctrine of justification important to a Christian and why they need to study it, know, it, apply it and teach it ?   Read on…

A study of Systematic Theology from Louis Berkof
Chapter 21: Justification

1. The Nature and Elements of Justification, Justification may be defined as that legal act of God by which He declares the sinner righteous on the basis of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is not an act or process of renewal, such as regeneration, conversion, or sanctification, and does not affect the condition but the-state of the sinner. It differs from sanctification in several particulars. Justification takes place outside of the sinner in the tribunal of God, removes the guilt of sin, and is an act which is complete at once and for all time; while sanctification takes place in man, removes the pollution of sin, and is a continuous and lifelong process. We distinguish two elements in justification, namely:

(a) The forgiveness of sins on the basis of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The pardon granted applies to all sins, past, present, and future, and therefore does not admit of repetition, Ps. 103: 12; Isa. 44:22; Rom. 5:21; 8:1, 32-34; Heb. 10:14. This does not mean that we need no more pray for forgiveness, for the consciousness of guilt remains, creates a feeling of separation, and makes it necessary to seek repeatedly the comforting assurance of forgiveness, Ps. 25:7; 32:5; 51:1; Matt. 6:12; Jas. 5:15; I John 1:9.

(b) The adoption as children of God. In justification God adopts believers as His children, that is, places them in the position of children and gives them all the rights of children, including the right to an eternal inheritance, Rom. 8:17; I Pet. 1:4. This legal sonship of believers should be distinguished from their moral sonship through regeneration and sanctification. Both are indicated in the following passages: John 1:12, 13; Rom. 8:15, 16; Gal. 4:5, 6.

2. The Time of Justification. The word ‘justification’ is not always used in the same sense. Some even speak of a fourfold justification: a justification from eternity, a justification in the resurrection of Christ, a justification by faith, and a public justification in the final judgment. In explanation of this it may be said that in an ideal sense the righteousness of Christ is already accounted to believers in the counsel of redemption, and therefore from eternity, but this is not what the Bible means when it speaks of the justification of the sinner. We must distinguish between what was decreed in the eternal counsel of God and what is realized in the course of history. Again, there is some reason for speaking of a justification in the resurrection of Christ. In a sense it may be said that the resurrection was the justification of Christ, and that in Him the whole body of believers was justified. But this was a general and purely objective transaction, which should not be confused with the personal justification of the sinner. When the Bible speaks of the justification of the sinner, it usually refers to the subjective and personal application and appropriation of the justifying grace of God. The usual representation is that we are justified by faith. This implies that it takes place at the time when we accept Christ by faith. Faith is called the instrument or the appropriating organ of justification. By faith man appropriates, that is, takes unto himself, the righteousness of Christ, on the basis of which he is justified before God. Faith justifies in sofar as it takes possession of Christ. Rom. 4:5; Gal. 2:16. We should guard against the error of the Roman Catholics and the Arminians, that man is justified on the basis of his own inherent righteousness, or of his faith. Man’s own righteousness or faith can never be the ground of his justification. This can be found only in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, Rom. 3:24; 10:4; II Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9.

3. Objections to the Doctrine of Justification. Various objections are raised to this doctrine. It is said that, if man is justified on the basis of the merits of Christ, he is not saved by grace. But justification, with all that it includes, is a gracious work of God. The gift of Christ, God’s reckoning of His righteousness to us, and His dealing with sinners as righteous,– it is all grace from start to finish. Again, it is said to be unworthy of God to declare sinners righteous. But God does not declare that they are righteous in themselves, but that they are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And, finally, it is said that this doctrine is apt to make people indifferent as to their moral life. If they are justified apart from any consideration of works, why should they care for personal piety? But justification lays the foundation for a living relationship with Christ, and this is the surest guarantee for a truly godly life. The man who is really in living union with Christ cannot be morally indifferent. Rom. 3:5-8.

To memorize. Passages speaking of:

a. Justification in general: Rom. 3:24. “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

II Cor. 5:21. “Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

b. Justification by faith, not by works: Rom. 3:28. “We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”

Rom. 4:5. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.”

Gal. 2:16. “Yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

c. Justification and the forgiveness of sins: Ps. 32:1, 2. “Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom Jehovah imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”

Acts 13:38, 39. “Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins; and by Him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

d. Adoption of children, heirs of eternal life: John 1:12. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

Gal. 4:4, 5. “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Rom. 8:17. “And if children, their heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him.”

e. Justification based on the righteousness of Christ: Rom. 3:21, 22. “But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe.”

Rom. 5:18. “So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so though one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.”

For Further Study:

a. What fruits of justification are mentioned in Rom. 5:1-5? b. Does not James teach that man is justified by works? Jas. 2:21-25. c. With what objection to the doctrine of justification does Paul deal in Rom. 3:5-8?

Questions for Review

1. What is justification?
2. How does it differ from sanctification?
3. What elements does it comprise?
4. In how far are sins forgiven in justification?
5. Why must believers still pray for forgiveness?
6. What is included in the adoption of children?
7. Can we speak of justification from eternity and in the resurrection of Christ?
8. How is faith related to justification?
9. What is the ground of justification? What is the Arminiam View?
10. What objections are raised to this doctrine? Can you answer them?

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Louis Berkof, Systematic Theology

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Happy Reformation Day

“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. HERE I STAND, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.” _Martin Luther

 

A Heart for Freedom

“A Heart for Freedom”
 “Heavenly Notes”
TheologyGirl-ReformedWomen

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32

Freedom  — The Election is taking up most of my time and attention and even my theological thoughts are leaning to those things that represent our God-given freedoms.  Here is another article I wrote back in 2005 on “freedom” that is àpropos for today as we celebrate the July 4th Independence Day. As God’s Word teaches, “there is nothing new under the sun.”

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Freedom –I have thought about this subject over the last week especially in light of the events in the world of elections, turmoil, wars, terrorism and natural disasters.   It is a word that conjures up many thoughts, emotions, doctrine and ideals.  It is something that has meaning in theological, spiritual, political, historical, geographical, real, emotional and other applications.  It is a word that brings faith, joy, hope, strength, courage and  perseverance to all people.  We have seen it applied and in action in our own lives, in family life, in spiritual life, and in our own countries in church, civil and government life.  It’s a big word with big meaning.  It is a word that strikes deep into the heart of every man and women because God has placed the desire for freedom in the heart and mind of every living creature.  We live freedom every day in every way.  Whether it is what we eat or drink, where we go, what we see and do, what we read and learn, how we love and share, God has implanted this desire within us.  It is a good and generous gift from God.

As we watched the elections in Iraq we have seen people who want to be free and have the liberty to vote for those that will have the rule over them.  They want the right to exercise that gift that is given by God, to choose their own elected officials.  In our governments and churches, our Sovereign God has likewise given us the liberty to choose our leaders and to vote for those that will serve Him in executing righteous judgment and to serve us and our neighbors.  It is a God-ordained gift of freedom to be able to  cast our ballot and vote.  In so doing, we are called to good judgment and stewardship by electing those good and just men to carry out God’s mandate to the nations to rule righteously under Him and for the good of the people.

Freedom in nations comes at a cost and the cost is not free.  It comes through prayer, battles, war, loss of life, difficulties and sometimes much sorrow as seen in many of the books of our Bible and especially the Old Testament.  It is the same today as it was then — “wars and rumors of wars” and battles over land and sovereignty.  We have seen it up close and personal, death and destruction and many times in the loss of a loved one in our own family.  We are not novices to understand freedom and what it means.  It is daily on our television sets, in our news, in our discussions.  A reminder of late is the face of the people of Iraq and their deliverance from a corrupt and evil government.  They are fighting for their lives day and night and have shown courage these last days in going out to vote on election day despite the evil terrorists and their evil intent to kill or maim those that exercise their right of freedom to vote.  The joy on the faces of the Iraq people could only bring that deep emotional understanding of experienced freedom of heart and mind to the viewer and one could not help but cry at the sight of it.  We saw in it their hope for tomorrow for a people long oppressed by evil and we were reminded again of God’s gifts of hope, peace and deliverance.

As I looked upon these things, I could not help but reflect on God’s Word and its many stories of freedom and deliverance of men and women but especially in its application to freedom/liberty of the soul.  Christ has said,

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36

This is true freedom indeed!  This is what understanding the wholeness of freedom is — a total true freedom is freedom in Christ.  It is an ultimate freedom, not as the world gives, not as man or courts or governments dictate but it is the “royal” freedom — the “freedom of freedom” that men truly need.  Our knowledge, desire and understanding of freedoms in the world are just a picture of what true freedom is.  They help us to understand, feel and to desire freedom but that freedom is and never will be comparable to the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, our Lord.  They are schoolmasters to bring us to Christ.  Thus, as we see countries set at liberty and freed from tyranny and bondage, we, as believers are reminded that true freedom is from Christ alone.  He alone delivers from bondage. It should encourage us as His children to “go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature” so that their hearts, minds and souls can truly be set free.  The world and all it offers can only give a “temporary” freedom, a “balm” for this life, but God gives an everlasting freedom that comes to all who believe in Him.  It is His ultimate gift to His people.  Believe it, exercise it and be reminded of from whence it comes.  Pray for the people of the world that they may know this Christ and truly be “free indeed” not only for today and tomorrow but for eternity.

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:6-21

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