Justification

The Problem

The Universal Problem for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

The Universal Problem And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; Romans 1:28

The Universal Problem 9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”

The Universal Problem 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:9-18

People were “under sin” What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. Romans 3:9

People were “under sin” There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Sinners have fallen short of God’s glory for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

Sinners have fallen short of God’s glory 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27

What will God do about sin? whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, Romans 3:25

What will God do about sin? to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:26

Just & Justify

How could God be “Just” and “Justify”? 1. “Just”: Designated the perfect agreement between His (God’s) nature and His acts” (Vine) 2. “Justify”: setting free from the charge; pronouncing one righteous

How could God be “just” and “Holy” and justify men? Can God justify some and not justify all? Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9

How could God be “just” and “Holy” and justify men? Can God justify some and not justify all? Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1

The Problem Solved

Animal sacrifices could not bring forgiveness 1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

Animal sacrifices could not bring forgiveness 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Hebrews 10:1-4

Atonement anticipated Isaiah 53

Reality of Christ’s death Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9

People may now contact the blood 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

People may now contact the blood 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:1-7

Lessons For Us Today

The reality of sin should prompt us to be justified quickly. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Acts 24:25

Justification is available but to who? “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21

Conclusion 1. It is up to man to obey and receive justification. 2. God has done His part, man must do his. No one can do it for you.