Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Doctrine of Justification

a) This is well-taught in the Scriptures

b) Especially explained in the New Testament

2. Essence of the doctrine of Justification

a) The word “justification” comes from the word “righteousness”
(A little clearer in the Greek language. Same root word is captured)

b) It has to do with the righteousness of God

i) It is “apart from the law of God”   (Romans 3:21a)

ii) This is witness by the Law and the Prophets   (Romans 3:21b)

iii) This righteousness is given to all through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ   (Romans 3:22)

CLASSIC STATEMENTS ON JUSTIFICATION

1. Justified freely

a) Being justified freely   (Romans 3:24a)

b) By His grace   (Romans 3:24b)

c) Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus   (Romans 3:24c)

2. Plan of God

a) Propitiation by Christ   (Romans 3:25a)

b) By His blood   (Romans 3:25b)

c) Through faith   (Romans 3:25c)

d) To demonstrate His righteousness   (Romans 3:25d)

3. God the Just and the Justifier

a) God’s forbearance   (Romans 3:25e)

b) He passed over past sins   (Romans 3:25f)

c) To demonstrate His righteousness   (Romans 3:26a)

d) That He is just   (Romans 3:26b)

e) That He is the Justifier of the one who has faith in Christ Jesus   (Romans 3:26c)

THE TEACHING OF THIS DOCTRINE IN GALATIA

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:16-20

1. Basic but essential knowledge

a) A person is not justified by the works of the law   (Galatians 2:16a)

b) One is justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ   (Galatians 2:16b)

2. Example of Paul and others

a) Even we have believed in Christ Jesus   (Galatians 2:16c)

b) That we might be justified by faith in Christ   (Galatians 2:16d)

3. Reiteration of the Essentials

a) No flesh shall be justified by the works of the law

b) No one will be declared righteous by God by the works of the law

BUILDING A THEOLOGY OF JUSTIFICATION

1. We seek to be justified by Christ

a) This is good and correct

b) We desire to be justified by God

c) We seek justification by the Lord Jesus Christ

2. We are found to be sinners

a) We are justified

b) But we are not free from sin

c) We are still sinners!

d) Does this affect the Person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

i) Is Christ a minister of sin?

ii) The answer: “NO!”   (Galatians 2:17)

3. The wrong solution

a) To build upon the law

b) If one does that, he returns to the old problem

c) He becomes a transgressor of the law   (Galatians 2:18)

d) There is no returning to the law

4. The right solution

a) Through the law we died

b) We are dead to the law   (Galatians 2:19)

c) We live to God

d) This is the new life the Lord gives to us

e) This new life comes through being justified by Christ

APPLYING THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

1. Crucified with Christ   (Galatians 2:20a)

a) This is identification with Christ

b) This is the beginning of the application of faith

2. Christ lives in us   (Galatians 2:20b)

a) This is the new life Christ has given to us

b) This life is through a faith-connection to Christ

3. Living by faith in the Son of God   (Galatians 2:20c)

a) Through His love

b) Through His sacrificial death for us

CONCLUSION

1. To understand the doctrine of justification

a) In greater depth

b) In greater appreciation

2. To apply the doctrine of justification

a) A clearer faith in Christ

b) A more identified faith in Christ