Justification - Under the Gospel

This is the fifth, and final post, in my series on justification.  The first four, “All That Believe Are Justified Through Faith - Or Is It By Faith", "Justification - Promised In Christ", "Justification Is The Act Of God", and "Justification - Under the Law - Is That Possible?", have been leading up to this one.

Before you get excited and say that I'm saying we are justified some other way than through and by faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross let me give you a biblical definition of the gospel.  The dictionary defines the gospel as; 

1) the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation 

2) the story of Christ's life and teachings, especially as contained in the first four books of the new testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  

3) ( usually initial capital letter ) any of these four books. 

4) something regarded as true and implicitly believed: to take his report for gospel. 

5) a doctrine regarded as of prime importance: political gospel. 

 Here’s the apostle Paul's clarification;

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (HCSB) 1  Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. 2  You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose. 3  For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4  that He

was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Paul also wrote;

 Romans 10:9-13 (HCSB) 9  If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11  Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, 12  for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him.  13  For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – I’ll proceed with my opinion the justification is in fact under the gospel.

Justification Is not of works

Justification is under the gospel it is definitely not of works.  In the very first blog we quoted Acts 13:39 (HCSB) and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses. 

Here' further proof;

Romans 8:3 (HCSB) 3  What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering,

Galatians 2:16 (HCSB) 16  know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.

Galatians 3:11 (HCSB) 11  Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.

Is not of faith and works together

Stay with me here I know that in James it says that faith without works is dead but this blog is about justification not the results of our faith in Jesus which is a requirement of justification.  Here is scripture that proves that justification is not by a combination or unity of faith and works:

Romans 3:28 (HCSB) 28  For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Romans 11:6 (HCSB) 6  Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

Galatians 5:4 (HCSB) 4  You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.

Justification Is by faith alone

John 5:24 (HCSB)  “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Acts 13:39 (HCSB)  and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.

Romans 3:30 (HCSB) since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Romans 5:1 (HCSB)  Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:16 (HCSB)  know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.

Justification Is of grace

Here is a definition of grace from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology;  

The word "grace" in biblical parlance can, like forgiveness, repentance, regeneration, and salvation, mean something as broad as describing the whole of God's activity toward man or as narrow as describing one segment of that activity. An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man. In the Old Testament, the term that most often is translated "grace, " is hen [ej]; in the New Testament, it is charis [cavri"].

In short justification under the gospel is through God’s grace which is undeserved and unmerited, nevertheless He has granted it because we believe as it says in Romans 10:9-10.  Here is some scriptural proof:

Romans 3:24 (HCSB) 24  They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 4:16 (HCSB) 16  This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all

Romans 5:17-21 (HCSB) 17  Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18  So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.

19  For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20  The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21  so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Justification In the name of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 6:11 (HCSB) 11  And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

  

By imputation of Christ’s righteousness (credited to us)

Here is the Oxford Dictionary’s definition of impute with regard to theology;  

Ascribe (righteousness, guilt, etc.) to someone by virtue of a similar quality in another:

Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us.  

Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus credited to the Christian, enabling the Christian to be justified. Double imputation refers to the imputation of believers' sin to Christ and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers.  Want proof from the scripture here it is:

Romans 3:22 (HCSB) 22  —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

Romans 5:18 (HCSB) 18  So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (HCSB) 30  But ⌊it is⌋ from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—⌊our⌋ righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB) 21  He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

By  the Blood of Christ

Romans 5:9 (HCSB) 9  Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

By the Resurrection of Christ

Romans 4:25 (HCSB) 25  He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Justification Frees from Condemnation

Once we are justified we have direct access to God Almighty the Creator of the universe because of the completed work of Christ as described in all of the scriptures quoted above.  This is why I say that we are justified under the gospel as defined in the second paragraph of this blog and because we are justified we are free from condemnation.  I will end with what the Bible says about our justification freeing us of condemnation.

Found on Pinterest 

 Isaiah 50:8-9 (HCSB) 8  The One who vindicates Me is near; who will contend with Me? Let us confront each other. Who has a case against Me? Let him come near Me!

9  In truth, the Lord GOD will help Me; who will condemn Me? Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment; a moth will devour them.

Isaiah 54:17 (HCSB) 17  No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me.” ⌊This is⌋ the LORD’s declaration.

Romans 8:33-34 (HCSB) 33  Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. 34  Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

Because we are now justified we are entitled to an inheritance;

Titus 3:7 (HCSB) 7  so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life, and our justification ensures our glorification.  

 Romans 8:30 (HCSB) 30  And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

Have you been justified?

If you've never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior none of what you just read applies to you but God loves you and has provided a way for your justification, pardon and acceptance but it must be your decision.  The way to pardon and acceptance is simple I have referred to it a couple of times in this post.

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) 9  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

If you're ready just repeat this prayer.

"Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin.  I am willing to turn from sin.  I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.

If you just prayed this prayer the call, text, email, tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody.  Please leave me a comment or email me at this LINK.  Welcome to the family of God.

Justification Under the Law - Is that Possible?

To be justified is; to be shown or proved to be right or reasonable; to be declared or made righteous in the sight of God.  To justify is  the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, or acquittal

Romans 10:4 (HCSB)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

 

The Law Requires Complete and Total Obedience

The Scriptures say that God requires complete and total obedience to His law. The law is the commandments, and regulations that God gave to Moses for the Hebrews during their exodus from Egypt on the way to the Promised Land, Canaan.  The law, referred to in scripture as the Law of Moses is contained in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy in the Old Testament.  They include much more than the 10 Commandments of Exodus chapter 20.  

 Let’s look at a few verses of scripture that address complete obedience to the law. 

•   Leviticus 18:5 (HCSB) Keep My statutes and ordinances; a person will live if he does them. I am Yahweh.
• Romans 2:13 (HCSB) For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.
• Romans 10:5 (HCSB)  For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them.
•  James 2:10 (HCSB) For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of ⌊breaking it⌋ all.

Does God really mean that?  

Yes He does!   

Adam and Eve were banished from the garden of Eden, condemned and cursed for just one act of disobedience (read Genesis chapter 3).  God Himself prepared the sacrifice to temporarily atone for this sin when he killed an animal and covered them with the animal’s skin. 

Genesis 3:21 (HCSB) 2 The LORD God made clothing out of skins for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.  That was the first sacrifice for disobedience, or sin, so to speak.

So it may look like God doesn’t really demand complete obedience because He's provided a way out. He established a sacrificial system through Moses for the nation of Israel,  a means of way of making amends or atoning for sin.  On a closer look however the system itself points to the requirement of complete obedience.  There was a constant need for sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice for the nation, the priests, and the people.  If obedience was only required for, what we think are the worst sins, like taking the name of the Lord in vain, worshiping other gods, murder, theft, adultery, covertness, in other words the Ten Commandments, then the people who didn’t do these things would be exempt from the requirement.  But nothing in scripture gives that impression.  In fact scripture says the exact opposite.  Every Israelite, every one of them, had to offer sacrifices for his or her sins whatever they were, and there are long lists in the books between Genesis and Joshua.  So the sacrificial system itself shows the requirement for complete obedience.

Man Can’t Do Complete Obedience

Man can’t do it even under a sacrificial system.  The Bible in a number of places says that all sin and that nobody is right with God. 

• Romans 3:23 (HCSB) ” For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”;  but the Old
  
  Testament also says that  sinned
• 1 Kings 8:46 (HCSB) When they sin against You— for there is no one who does not sin— and You are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, and their captors deport them to the enemy’s country— whether distant or nearby—
• Proverbs 20:9 (HCSB) Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;I am cleansed from my sin”?
•  Ecclesiastes 7:20 (HCSB) There is certainly no righteous man on the earth who does good and never sins.

Job was really aware of man’s inability to attain perfect obedience read what he says;

•  Job 9:2-3 (HCSB) Yes, I know what you’ve said is true, but how can a person be justified before God? 3  If one wanted to take Him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand ⌊times⌋.
• Job 9:20 (HCSB) Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.
• Job 25:4 (HCSB) How can a person be justified before God? How can one born of woman be pure?

Here’s what the Psalmist said:

•  Psalm 130:3 (HCSB) Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand?
• Psalm 143:2 (HCSB) Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous in Your sight.

And of course Paul:

•  Romans 3:20 (HCSB) For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin ⌊comes⌋ through the law.
•  Romans 9:31-32 (HCSB) 31 But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness, has not achieved ⌊the righteousness⌋ of the law. 32  Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

How Can Anybody Become Justified Then?

Justification is by faith, was promised in Christ and is theact of God.

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The answer is found in Romans 3:30 (HCSB)  since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Isaiah 53:11 (HCSB) He will see ⌊it⌋ out of His anguish, and He will be satisfied with His knowledge. My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will carry their iniquities.

Isaiah 49:3 (NKJV) “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be

Not Guilty!

glorified.’

As shown in my post, "Justification - Promised inChrist",  the servant in this verse as Jesus.

This is prophetic scripture in which the nation of Israel is the shadow of Jesus and describes the fact that God the Father is near His Servant during the time of his humiliation. He was never alone so he was able to withstand all of the attacks of his enemies, the charges brought against him, and also all of the sins of the people that were place on him. God knew that he was innocent and righteous and He justified him declaring it by the resurrection. Who could then accuse him through whom we are justified?

Romans 8:28-33 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Jesus the Perfect Sacrifice for All Mankind

God declared that all who sin will die, both physically and spiritually. This is the fate of us all because we all sin.  But God provided a solution.  The sacrifice and the shed blood of the only man who ever walked this earth without sin Jesus Christ.  God declared that “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22), but through the shedding of blood, redemption is provided. The Law of Moses provided a way for the people to be considered “sinless” or “right” in God’s eyes—the offering of animals sacrificed for every sin they committed. These sacrifices were only temporary, though, and were really a foreshadowing of the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross. gotQuestions?org

Hebrews 10:10 (HCSB) By this will ⌊of God⌋, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.

Have You Been Justified?

If you've never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you have not been justified, pardoned, or accepted.  God loves you and has provided a way for your pardon and acceptance but it must be your decision.  The way to pardon and acceptance is simple, as simple as "TNT" (Romans 10:9-10).

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) 9  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

If you're ready just repeat this prayer.

"Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin.  I am willing to turn from sin.  I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.

If you just prayed this prayer the call, text, email, tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody.  Please leave me a comment or email me at this Link.  Welcome to the family of God.

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving and be sure that in addition to telling the Lord thank you for all things make your life one of constant thanksgiving.

Here are some good books on justification:

Justification Is The Act Of God

We continue this series on justification with Justification – Is the Act of God”.

Let’s go back to our foundational scripture for the series;

Romans 3:30 (NKJV) since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

This scripture is specific in saying that it is God who will justify all those who believe, by and through faith. Let’s explore that a little bit more in this post as we through scripture provide evidence that the justification promised in Christ is the act of God.

Justification of the Servant

Isaiah 49:3 (NKJV) “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.’

In my post, "Justification - Promised in Christ",  we identified the servant in this verse as Jesus.

This is prophetic scripture in which the nation of Israel is the shadow of Jesus and describes the fact that God the Father is near His Servant during the time of his humiliation. He was never alone so he was able to withstand all of the attacks of his enemies, the charges brought against him, and also all of the sins of the people that were place on him. God knew that he was innocent and righteous and He justified him declaring it by the resurrection. Who could then accuse him through whom we are justified?

The result of God’s act of justification

Romans 8:28-33 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Not Guilty

Here's what it says in The Wycliffe Bible Commentary for verses 31-34.

Paul now begins to point out the implications of his teaching. God became involved in man’s dilemma in order to accomplish his plan. He handed over his Son on behalf of us all. Christ was handed over for our benefit, on our behalf, and in our stead. God could not spare his Son and carry out his plan of redemption. So he handed him over to death that we might be redeemed. Paul draws certain conclusions from this action by God. With Christ he will graciously give us all things, though we may not have all of them right now. No one can bring any charge against God’s chosen or elect ones or condemn them, because God and Christ have participated in this divine action of handing over Christ.

I can’t improve on that explanation of God’s act of justification. God handed over His Son for us and then as the judge He has said we are not guilty because of the sacrifice of His Son who accepted and took the punishment for us. Therefore nobody can accuse Christians because we have been justified by and through faith as promised in Christ and the actions of His Father and ours, God Almighty.

Have You Been Justified?

If you've never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you have not been justified, pardoned, or accepted.  God loves you and has provided a way for your pardon and acceptance but it must be your decision.  The way to pardon and acceptance is simple, as simple as "TNT" (Romans 10:9-10).

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

If you're ready just repeat this prayer.

"Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin.  I am willing to turn from sin.  I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.

If you just prayed this prayer the call, text, email, tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody.  Please leave me a comment or email me at this Link.  Welcome to the family of God.

Next in this series is Justification – Under Law – Is That Possible?

All That Believe Are Justified By Faith - Or is it Through Faith?

Acts 13:39 (NKJV)  and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.  This is what Paul said in his message in the synagogue in

Antioch.  What did he mean by that statement which was made at the end of his message in which he briefly traced the history of Israel from the time that they were slaves in Egypt through the resurrection of Jesus?

According to the Oxford Dictionary   the definition of justify is:

1)Show or prove to be right or reasonable,

2) Declare or make righteous in the sight of God.

So according to these definitions then, by Him (Jesus), everyone who believes is shown or proved to be right or reasonable and declared or made righteous in God’s sight.  That is a powerful and awesome statement.  

In Romans 3:30 Paul says “since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.   If those of us who are now one body have been justified why are did he say that some of us (the circumcised or Jew) are justified by faith and others (uncircumcised or Gentile) justified through faith since all who believe are justified?

Wow what a question!

I don’t think there is any difference and here’s why.  If there is no distinction between Jew (circumcised) and Gentile (uncircumcised), then it is logical that there is no difference in the way they are justified.  

Galatians 3:27-29 (HCSB) 27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ ⌊like a garment⌋. 28  There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29  And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.

This from Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers “By faith.—Through faith. In the one case faith is regarded as the instrument, in the other as the means; but the two expressions come to be almost convertible. In like manner there is no essential difference indicated by the fact that the first noun has not the article, while the second has it. The former is more abstract—the quality of faith in man; the latter more concrete—faith as embodied in the gospel. The two prepositions, “by” and “through,” are in English nearly convertible, or differ from each other no more than “instrument” and “means.”

 Justification is Instant

Justification whether by or through faith is instant it is not a process.   Just as the thief on the cross acknowledged Jesus his joining Him in paradise was instant. 

Luke 23:40-43 (HCSB) 40  But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment?  41  We are punished justly, because we’re getting back

Not Guilty

what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”  42  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43  And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

We are justified at the moment we do as Paul says in 

Romans 10:9-13 (NKJV) 9  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13  For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Here is what Charles Spurgeon says in one of his devotions;

"We are now-even now pardoned; even now are our sins put away; even now we stand in the sight of God accepted, as though we had never been guilty. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” There is not a sin in the Book of God, even now, against one of His people. Who dareth to lay anything to their charge? There is neither speck, nor spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing remaining upon any one believer in the matter of justification in the sight of the Judge of all the earth. Let present privilege awaken us to present duty, and now, while life lasts, let us spend and be spent for our sweet Lord Jesus."

If you've never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you have not been pardoned or accepted by God.  He loves you and has provided a way for your pardon and acceptance but it's your decision.  The way to pardon and acceptance is simple, as simple ans "TNT" (Romans 10:9-10).  If you're ready just repeat this prayer in all sincerity, if it's not sincere then you're really not ready, but if you are this is all you have to ask God;

“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”

Once you pray this, or a similar, prayer in all sincerity your salvation and justification is instant.

If you have just prayed this prayer call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody, and leave me a comment or email me at donald@donjake-strategicadviser.com.  Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.  Welcome to the family of God. 

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MORE INFORMATION ON JUSTIFICATION

Justification:  God’s Plan & Paul’s Vision,  Justification:  Five Views, Justification and the Gospel:  Understanding the Context and Controversies 

Justification - Promised in Christ

Definitions 

The Oxford Dictionary defines justify as: 

1) Show or prove to be right or reasonable and 

2) Declare or make righteous in the sight of God.  

According to Paul in Romans 3:30 “since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.   If those of us who are now one body having been justified why are did he say that some of us (the circumcised or Jew) are justified by faith and others (uncircumcised or Gentile) justified through faith since all who believe are justified?  

Here's the definition of justify from “Vine’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible” 

“the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal”; it is used twice in the Ep. to the Romans, and there alone in the NT, signifying the establishment of a person as just by acquittal from guilt. In Rom. 4:25 the phrase “for our justification,” is, lit., “because of our justification” (parallel to the preceding clause “for our trespasses,” i.e., because of trespasses committed), and means, not with a view to our “justification,” but because all that was necessary on God’s part for our “justification” had been effected in the death of Christ. On this account He was raised from the dead. The propitiation being perfect and complete, His resurrection was the confirmatory counterpart. In 5:18, “justification of life” means “justification which results in life” (cf. v. 21). That God “justifies” the believing sinner on the ground of Christ’s death, involves His free gift of life.

That last sentence in the Vine’s definition is the basis of my statement that justification was promised in Christ.

Here’s what it say in Isaiah 45:20-25 (HCSB) 20  “Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives of the nations. Those who carry their wooden idols, and pray to a god who cannot save, have no knowledge.   21  Speak up and present ⌊your case⌋— yes, let them take counsel together. Who predicted this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, Yahweh? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except Me. 22  Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other. 23  By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. 24  It will be said to Me: Righteousness and strength is only in the LORD.” All who are enraged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.

25  All the descendants of Israel will be justified and find glory through the LORD.

The Gentiles were invited to stop their idol worship and in faith to the only God who can save from sin and death.  He included all nations in this invitation.  They are to be saved simply by looking in faith to the Lord. All the descendants of Israel referred to in verse 25 are the spiritual Israel.  They that are those identified in Galatians 3:6-7 (HCSB)6  Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, 7  then understand that those who have faith are Abraham’s sons.. 

What Does This Have to Do with Justification Promised in Christ?

The one that God is talking about in Isaiah to redeem his people is Cyrus.  Well that’s Cyrus and not Christ you say.  Well not so fast my friend.    Cyrus is a type of Jesus Christ; and many of the promises to Cyrus in Isaiah have a spiritual fulfillment in the ministry and life of Jesus. In fact God identifies Cyrus as His shepherd in Isaiah 44:28 and then as His anointed (Messiah) in 45:1. 

Isaiah 44:28 (HCSB) who says to Cyrus, “My shepherd, he will fulfill all My pleasure” and says to Jerusalem, “She will be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Its foundation will be laid.” 

Isaiah 45:1 (HCSB) The LORD says this to Cyrus, His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him and the gates will not be shut:

Both these titles are used for Jesus.  

Acts 4:27 (HCSB) “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, (emphasis mine)

Acts 10:38 (HCSB) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him. (emphasis mine) 

John 10:11 (HCSB) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (emphasis mine).

Now let’s look a more direct reference to justification promised in Christ

Isaiah 53:11 (HCSB) He will see ⌊it⌋ out of His anguish, and He will be satisfied with His knowledge. My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will carry their iniquities.

This is a specific prophetic reference to Christ.  To see that we need to go back to Isaiah Chapter 49. Verses 1-6 of the chapter is one of what many students of the Bible call ‘Suffering Servant Songs’ 

Isaiah 49:3 (HCSB)  He said to me, “You are My Servant, Israel; I will be glorified in him.”   

In this verse God says that Israel is His servant however nowhere else in the Bible does it say that God will be glorified in a person (servant), so I believe, as do many others, that in this context ‘Israel’ is a name for Jesus, the Messiah.  Now reading 53:11 we see that Jesus the Messiah will justify many.  The many here refers to Jews and Gentiles. 

Isaiah 49:6 (HCSB) He says, “It is not enough for you to be My Servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Then we come to the final ‘Suffering Servant Song’ in Isaiah starting at Chapter 52:13 and ending at 53:12 which reads;

Isaiah 53:12 (HCSB) Therefore I will give Him the many as a portion, and He will receive the mighty as spoil, because He submitted Himself to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet He bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.

Yes our justification was promised in Christ the anointed.   He is doing what Israel, Isaiah and Cyrus did thousands of years ago for Israel.   Jesus has done it for the world!!