PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
Do you understand what it means to be justified by faith alone?
Humanity has a long history of self-delusion, believing that we are good, or that there is some good in us, because of our perceived moral uprightness. Unfortunately, this assumption has never been true. The Bible makes it clear that humanity is fallen and sinful, unable to attain God’s standard of righteousness on its own.
presents a sobering portrait of human sinfulness, while affirms that the natural man is hostile to God. further teaches that through Adam’s sin, sin and death entered the world and condemnation came upon humanity. God’s perfect justice requires that sin be punished. The righteousness God requires is a perfect righteousness that sinners cannot produce for themselves, and that is found only in Christ.
In humanity’s hopeless condition, God sent His Son, Christ Jesus, who alone fulfilled the righteousness we could never attain.
In , Paul explains humanity’s depravity and God’s righteous judgment and wrath. Then, in and chapter 4, he explains how sinners receive the righteousness of God. This provides the consolation that brings peace to all who believe:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Biblically, the word justification simply means to be declared righteous or to have a right standing before God. Paul affirms that, through Christ Jesus, the full penalty for our past, present, and future sins has been paid. When Christ Jesus said, “It is finished” on the cross (), it signified the completion of His atoning work and the satisfaction of God’s righteous wrath.
In God’s court, Christ’s righteousness is credited to us, while our sins were laid upon Him. As Paul writes, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (). Jesus accomplished everything necessary to secure righteousness for us; His atoning work was perfect and final. God declares the sinner righteous through faith in Christ and His finished work. This is what it means to be justified by faith alone.
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, the Reformation rightly emphasized justification by faith alone as a doctrine upon which the church stands or falls. It serves as a central doctrine upon which the Christian faith rests.
A Christian who understands and values the significance of what it means to be justified before God, to be declared righteous and clothed in Christ’s righteousness, will possess deep assurance and peace. Salvation rests entirely upon the completed work of Christ Jesus. Our confidence is not grounded in personal effort or works but firmly upon the unchanging foundation of Christ, the Solid Rock, and His finished work on the cross.
This is the gospel. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING –
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
How well do you understand Christ’s vicarious death on the cross and the implications it has for the Christian?
What does justification by faith alone teach you about the insufficiency of your own works and the sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness?
How should the truth that you are declared righteous in Christ shape your assurance, obedience, and daily walk with God?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place so I would be clothed with Your righteous requirements in Him. Help me that by Your Holy Spirit I will understand what it truly means to be justified by faith alone and let that understanding work in me both to will and do of Your good pleasure in Christ Jesus. Amen.