Focus on Jesus JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1.
Because of Jesus' death on the cross, He can offer life and forgiveness to each one of us. But I would like to remind you that justification is no good unless it is accepted. Although Jesus' sacrifice was complete and sufficient, so that the sins of the whole world could have been erased, the whole world will not be saved. The atonement of Christ does no good to anyone unless he accepts it personally. And the atonement must be accepted daily, through the ongoing relationship with Christ. It is more than a matter of a one-time nodding of the head toward heaven. We must come to Jesus every day and accept anew of His death in our behalf.
When you give someone a gift, in order for that person to profit from that gift he or she must receive it. A gift is no good unless it is received. As beautiful as the doctrine and truth of justification is, as wonderful as what God has done for us may be, and as much as the sacrifice of the cross stands out in all of history, these things do not benefit anybody until they are received.
But there is far more than just the matter of our own salvation involved in our relationship with Him. God created man for fellowship with Him in the first place. Because of Adam's sin, the race has been separated from God. The death of Christ brings us back to oneness with Him, where it all started. The broken relationship is restored at justification.
Justification is mankind being put right with God through what Jesus has done. It is a provision in heaven for the redemption of the whole human race. It has as its foundation the spotless righteousness of Jesus. But justification will not benefit any sinner until it is accepted by that sinner. The Bible does not teach that justification is by grace alone. It is always by grace through faith. Faith is essential on the part of the sinner. Faith, or trust, immediately involves two parties, one trusting the other. When we trust in Jesus for salvation, there comes into existence a saving relationship. This is more than a legal declaration in heaven. This is the beginning of a friendship and fellowship with God. It is only through this relationship with God that the Christian life can begin or continue. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee" (John 17:3).
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1.
Because of Jesus' death on the cross, He can offer life and forgiveness to each one of us. But I would like to remind you that justification is no good unless it is accepted. Although Jesus' sacrifice was complete and sufficient, so that the sins of the whole world could have been erased, the whole world will not be saved. The atonement of Christ does no good to anyone unless he accepts it personally. And the atonement must be accepted daily, through the ongoing relationship with Christ. It is more than a matter of a one-time nodding of the head toward heaven. We must come to Jesus every day and accept anew of His death in our behalf.
When you give someone a gift, in order for that person to profit from that gift he or she must receive it. A gift is no good unless it is received. As beautiful as the doctrine and truth of justification is, as wonderful as what God has done for us may be, and as much as the sacrifice of the cross stands out in all of history, these things do not benefit anybody until they are received.
But there is far more than just the matter of our own salvation involved in our relationship with Him. God created man for fellowship with Him in the first place. Because of Adam's sin, the race has been separated from God. The death of Christ brings us back to oneness with Him, where it all started. The broken relationship is restored at justification.
Justification is mankind being put right with God through what Jesus has done. It is a provision in heaven for the redemption of the whole human race. It has as its foundation the spotless righteousness of Jesus. But justification will not benefit any sinner until it is accepted by that sinner. The Bible does not teach that justification is by grace alone. It is always by grace through faith. Faith is essential on the part of the sinner. Faith, or trust, immediately involves two parties, one trusting the other. When we trust in Jesus for salvation, there comes into existence a saving relationship. This is more than a legal declaration in heaven. This is the beginning of a friendship and fellowship with God. It is only through this relationship with God that the Christian life can begin or continue. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee" (John 17:3).
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