“Justification by Faith Alone” – Pt. 3
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION: Turn with me to (Job 25:1-6)
How can a human be justified before God? How can one born of woman be pure?
The heart of humanity’s spiritual dilemma is that we are incapable of overcoming the total sinfulness that separates us from a holy God!
Bildad the Shuhite asked the question centuries ago: “How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?”
Our passage this morning is perhaps the first treatment of this problem in the early Church by introducing a word that is central to the message of this Epistle, central to the gospel preached by Paul, and indeed central to Christianity itself!
John Stott: “Nobody has understood Christianity who does not understand this word.”
The word is “Justified!”
Used three times in (v.16) “δικαιοῦται, δικαιωθῶμεν, δικαιωθήσεται,” and once in (v.17) “δικαιωθῆναι”, and the noun is used in (v.21)“δικαιοσύνη” – NIV, “righteousness,” NRSV – “justification”
Justification is a legal term from the law courts. It is the exact opposite of condemnation.
To ‘condemn’ is to declare somebody guilty; to ‘justify’ is to declare him not guilty, innocent, or righteous.’
Again, from John Stott:
“For there are at least two basic things which we know for certain. The first is that God is righteous; the second is that we are not. And if we put these two truths together, they explain our human predicament, of which our conscience and experience have already told us, namely that something is wrong between us and God. Instead of harmony there is friction. We are under the judgment, the just sentence, of God. We are alienated from His fellowship and banished from His presence, for ‘what partnership have righteousness and iniquity?’ (2 Cor 6:14).
The provision of justification by faith is God’s answer to our dilemma and need!
Martin Lutherwrites, “This is the truth of the gospel. It is also the principal article of all Christian doctrine, wherein the knowledge of all godliness consisteth. Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually.” Luther also calls it, “…the most principal and special article of Christian doctrine,” for it is this doctrine, “…which maketh true Christians indeed.” He adds: “…if the article of justification be once lost, then is all true Christian doctrine lost.”
In setting forth the true doctrine of justification, Paul first states what it is (vv.15-16), and then gives a defense of it (vv.17-21).
I. Paul’s EXPOSITION of JUSTIFICATION by FAITH! – (2:15-16)
I. Paul’s EXPOSITION of JUSTIFICATION by FAITH! – (2:15-16)
His declaration/exposition takes the form of a contrast between justification by works of the law, and justification through faith.
A. Justification by Observing the Law – (v.15)
A. Justification by Observing the Law – (v.15)
Justification by ‘observing the law’ is trying to earn God’s favor through your good deeds, through effort, by doing everything the law commands and refraining from everything the law forbids!
In addition to the moral law, you must also observe the ceremonial law as well—honoring the Sabbath, being circumcised, fasting, praying, giving alms, etc.
Paul would later describe this understanding in (Romans 10:3)
Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness.
(v.15) – His argument to the Galatians is simple: “If we Jews cannot be saved by the law, then how can we expect ‘Gentile sinners’ to be saved?”
Peter would make the same argument before the Jerusalem Council:
And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us.
He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
B. Justification through Faith – (v.16)
B. Justification through Faith – (v.16)
Note the ascending scale of emphasis:
1. The first statement is GENERAL – (v.16a) – “…we know that a person is not justified…”
1. The first statement is GENERAL – (v.16a) – “…we know that a person is not justified…”
No amount of law-keeping can make a person righteous, because the root of sinfulness is in his/her heart, NOT in what they do!
Sinful acts are but the outward expression of a depraved nature that contains sinful thoughts – (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28)
Consequently, no amount of observation of the law can save a person, because even the best ‘works’ cannot change the natureof the person doing them!
2. The second is PERSONAL – (v.16b) – “…even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus…”
2. The second is PERSONAL – (v.16b) – “…even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus…”
Paul’s argument is more than intellectual—he has proved it in his own experience!
3. The third statement is UNIVERSAL – (v.16c) – “…no human being will be justified.”
3. The third statement is UNIVERSAL – (v.16c) – “…no human being will be justified.”
The Greek expression is even more striking: “πᾶσα σάρξ” lit. ‘all flesh’ – humanity without exception!
Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.
For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets.
The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
II. Paul’s DEFENSE of JUSTIFICATION by FAITH! – (2:17-21)
II. Paul’s DEFENSE of JUSTIFICATION by FAITH! – (2:17-21)
As clear as Paul’s argument is, it was, and is challenged!
A. CHALLENGE: Justification by Faith Will Only Lead to SINFUL BEHAVIOR! – (v.17)
A. CHALLENGE: Justification by Faith Will Only Lead to SINFUL BEHAVIOR! – (v.17)
The argument is logical: If we are saved ONLY by faith, then what’s to keep us from sinning?
Even worse, “Will I make Christ the promoter of sin? Absolutely not!”
B. ANSWER #1: The Death the Law Demands is Met in Christ! – (vv.18-20)
B. ANSWER #1: The Death the Law Demands is Met in Christ! – (vv.18-20)
If a person is convicted of a capital crime and is put to death, then the law has no more claim on them!
The believer who dies in Christ is forever free from the claims of the Law!
HOWEVER, they are also free to live FOR CHRIST! – (v.20)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
John Stott: “…someone who is united to Christ is never the same person again. Instead, he is changed. It is not just his standing before God which has changed; it is he himself—radically, permanently changed […] He has become a new creation and begun a new life.”
C. ANSWER #2 – Justification by Law Nullifies the Death of Jesus Christ – (v.21)
C. ANSWER #2 – Justification by Law Nullifies the Death of Jesus Christ – (v.21)
Legalism’s most destructive effect is that it cancels the effect of the cross!
The two pillars of the gospel are the grace of God and the death of Christ!
The person who insists that he or she can earn salvation by their own efforts undermines the very foundation of Christianity and nullifies the death of Jesus on his behalf!
Conclusion
Conclusion
I would like to close with another quotation from Martin Luther:
“I must hearken to the Gospel, which teacheth me, not what I ought to do (for that is the proper office of the Law), but what Jesus Christ the Son of God hath done for me: to wit, that he suffered and died to deliver me from sin and death.”