Justification

Temple Baptist Church - 4-15-2009

Galatians 2:15-16

Introduction:

A. Galatians is an open defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Paul declares one Gospel and “another gospel” is not “another!” There is no salvation outside of the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ!

2. Paul then declares that the Gospel of Jesus Christ came by revelation of God, not by the theology of man. The Gospel is preached and God reveals Himself and His finished work of redemption.

3. Paul then declares that the Gospel is for both Jew and Gentile as God is no respecter of persons.

B. The key verse of the Book of Galatians is found here in our text. Verse 16 declares that justification if by faith alone. The Law was never meant to save and, therefore, salvation is not of works “lest any man boast.” Salvation is an act of God!

C. I want to look at the word “justified” for a few minutes tonight. When speaking of justification, we often say that it means “Just as if I had never sinned” and this is a true statement.

1. Justification is one of the most important elements in the salvation of a sinner. Without it there is no hope.

2. One of the greatest errors of Bible scholars is to identify justification with pardon. Justification is much more than pardon.

A person can be forgiven or pardoned for a transgression, but come under condemnation the next day for a different transgression. Justification not only insures forgiveness, but guarantees our future state of righteousness in Christ.

3. Justification means "to declare righteous." Justification is a judicial act of God to declare the believer righteous, without guilt and free from condemnation.

4. Justification is the clothing of the believer with the garment of Christ's righteousness. Therefore God no longer sees the believer in his own righteousness, but in the perfect righteousness and person of Jesus Christ.

5. Justification is an "act", not a process. No Christian is more justified than any other. Justification is more than mere forgiveness and pardon.

6. Key Verse Romans 4:8 "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." God will not put sin on our account after justification. Christ takes all of our sins and puts them on His account, which will never be lacking of funds.

1. The Declaration Of Justification

a. Justification Is An Act Of God - Romans 8:33"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth."

b. Justification Is A Judicial Act Of God Declaring The Believer Righteous Through Grace - Romans 3:24"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

c. Justification Operates Through The Divine Mercy Of God By The Blood Of Christ - By Blood

Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." His spotless life and pure blood have provided our justification.

d. Justification Hinges Upon The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ - Romans 4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." The resurrection gave proof of God's acceptance of Christ's redeeming work.

2. The Demand Of Justification

a. The Need For Justification is based upon the fact that once a man sins he is forever condemned by the law. The law outlines the guidelines by which sin is determined.

Ezek. 18:20 "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Law and justice demand the punishment for sin be death. Romans states clearly that "the wages of sin is death."

b. God in His justice declared, "I will not justify the wicked."

Exodus 23:7 The problem is that man is so wicked, he cannot justify himself. As our scripture states in Galatians 2:16,"by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Only through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. God's demand could only be satisfied with the death of his son.

3. The Duration Of Justification

a. Because Justification Is Unmerited, It Is Eternal - Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

b. Because Justification Is Unmerited, It Brings Assurance - Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.