Justification – Fisher of Men

5. OF JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (1) secures to such as believe in Him is Justification (2); that Justification includes the pardon of sin (3), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (4); that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood (5); by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (6); that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity (7).

PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT

1. We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ.

(John 1:16) And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

(Eph 3:8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

2. Secures to such as believe in Him is Justification.

(Acts 13:39) And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

(Isa 53:11-12) He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities. {12} Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

3. That Justification includes the pardon of sin.

(Rom 5:9) Much more then, being now justified by his Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

(Zec 13:1) In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

(Mat 9:6) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

(Acts 10:43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

4. And the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness.

(Rom 5:17) 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.

(Titus 3:5-7) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; {7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(1 Pet 3:7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

(1 John 2:25) And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

(Rom 5:21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. That it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood.

(Rom 4:4-5) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

(Rom 5:21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Phil 3:7-9) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. {8} Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, {9} And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

6. By virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God.

(Rom 5:19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

(Rom 3:24-26) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {25} Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; {26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

(Rom 4:23-25) Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; {24} But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; {25} Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

(1 John 2:12) I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

7. That it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

(Rom 5:1-3) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.

(Rom 5:11) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement.

(1 Cor 1:30-31) But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: {31} That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

(Mat 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(1 Tim 4:8) For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Justification

Let us consider the doctrine of justification for a brief moment. The word justification means absolution from guilt and punishment; to be righteous. A passage directly presenting justification is given in this place. (Rom 5:18) 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. In this passage we find that all are under guilt and condemnation by one: Adam. By the transgression of Adam, sin entered into the world and death by sin, (Rom. 5:12). According to nature, all men are condemned and unjust.

In the Word of God, we find how many try to circumvent true justification. We find examples in the Bible presenting how some have tried to justify themselves. Consider a passage presenting this: (Luke 10:29) But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? This man sought to prove himself just by presenting this question. Today we find many who hope to avoid God’s judgment through questions. Another passage presents an example of how men have attempted to appear just in the eyes of their fellow man. (Luke 16:15) And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. While a person may be held as just by their fellow man, the final judge of our condition is God.

Returning to the first verse presented from Rom. 5:18, we learn that all are really condemned. Another verse is given that further describes man’s condition according to nature. (Rom 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. God has found man to be without righteousness according to nature.

The word justification is sometimes translated as the word righteousness. Consider a verse where this is found. (Rev 19:8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Notice that Christ’s bride is granted to be adorned in righteousness, or justification, in the marriage of the Lamb.

How then is justification found according to God’s Word? Here we present some of the scriptures that answer this question. (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Titus 3:7) That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Rom 4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. From these verses we find that a man is justified by the grace of God. A person finds God’s grace through faith, or believing on Him who justifieth the ungodly. This justification can NOT be obtained by any performance whatsoever. All must be careful NOT to fall into the same fault of the religious element presented in this following passage. (Rom 10:3) For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Those who establish their own standard for justification fall short by NOT submitting to being justified by God. God has extended His love toward all of man that we can be justified by His grace through faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Remember, (Rom 5:18) 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.