with Pastor Chris McCool (10/2/2023)
Last week, we began sharing an article by Elder Buddy Abernathy regarding the three types of justification taught in the Bible. We dealt with “justification by grace,” and saw that this justification is accomplished by Christ alone.
Today, we turn to “justification by faith.” Bro. Buddy examines this type of justification, and shows us where it applies.
May the Lord bless you is my prayer!
Elder Chris McCool, Pastor
THREE KINDS OF JUSTIFICATION, PART TWO
I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? (Job 9:2)
by Elder Buddy Abernathy
In Paul’s epistle to the church at Rome, he describes the conflict experienced by children of God who are ignorant of their justification in Christ: for they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (Rom 10:3 KJV). We are not justified (declared righteous) by the law of Moses (Acts 13:39, Rom. 3:20, Gal. 2:16). If we evaluate ourselves according to the law, we see ourselves condemned in the sight of God.
Unless a child of God understands he was justified by Christ, he will continue trying to find a way to justify himself. He needs to hear the gospel of his salvation and place his confidence of salvation in the redemptive work of Christ (Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14). Then he can answer Job’s question, “How should man be just with God?” He now understands he’s righteous before God because he has been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Now he’s justified by faith, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Rom 5:1 KJV).
When a child of God understands he has been justified by Christ, he has assurance of salvation. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Eph 1:13 KJV). The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Rom 8:16 KJV).
With these thoughts in mind, consider the following verses. The expressions, “justified by faith” and “justified by the faith of Christ”, are simply describing the mindset of a child of God who believes he has been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21):
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Rom 3:28 KJV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Gal 2:16 KJV)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. … Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Gal 3:11, 24 KJV)
One of the best illustrations of justification by faith is the parable concerning the pharisee and the publican: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luk. 18:10-14 KJV).
Justification by faith is experienced when we hear and embrace the wonderful news declared by the prophet Isaiah, Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. (Isa 40:1-2 KJV)