Justification by faith alone

[Carbon]

The doctrine of justification by faith alone is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls. Justification is the pivotal point around which everything moves.
Though the doctrine of justification by faith alone was proclaimed by Luther, it is by no means specifically a Lutheran doctrine. All the great reformed of the sixteenth century subscribed to this doctrine with heart and soul.

The justified have been adopted into the household of God and are treated as God's beloved children.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:14-17.

But the unjustified are said to be children of wrath - Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Eph 2:3.

This doctrine of justification by faith alone becomes even more significant if we consider what this doctrine presupposes which is the doctrine of the imputation of the guilt of Adam's first sin to all his posterity, as he was the representative in the covenant of works; the doctrine of the total depravity of the natural man. The doctrine concerning Christ, such as his absolute deity, his true manhood, the substitutionary character of the work which he performed to earn salvation for sinners, and the infinite power of his blood to cover sin in the sight of heaven.

It also presupposes the doctrine of the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit to make spiritually dead sinners capable of saving faith.


This doctrine of justification by faith is of such paramount importance, that to remove it would at once invalidate the bible doctrines of sanctification, of preservation of the saints, and glorification.


Man is actually made just by the grace of the Holy Spirit after he has been declared just and restored to the favor of God in justification. It is the judicial verdict of God, expressed in the act of justification, which guarantees the elect sinner will not fall away from grace, but will continue to walk with the Lord until he is finally glorified.

 

[ReverendRV]

The doctrine of justification by faith alone is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls. Justification is the pivotal point around which everything moves.
Though the doctrine of justification by faith alone was proclaimed by Luther, it is by no means specifically a Lutheran doctrine. All the great reformed of the sixteenth century subscribed to this doctrine with heart and soul.

The justified have been adopted into the household of God and are treated as God's beloved children.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:14-17.

But the unjustified are said to be children of wrath - Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Eph 2:3.

This doctrine of justification by faith alone becomes even more significant if we consider what this doctrine presupposes which is the doctrine of the imputation of the guilt of Adam's first sin to all his posterity, as he was the representative in the covenant of works; the doctrine of the total depravity of the natural man. The doctrine concerning Christ, such as his absolute deity, his true manhood, the substitutionary character of the work which he performed to earn salvation for sinners, and the infinite power of his blood to cover sin in the sight of heaven.

It also presupposes the doctrine of the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit to make spiritually dead sinners capable of saving faith.


This doctrine of justification by faith is of such paramount importance, that to remove it would at once invalidate the bible doctrines of sanctification, of preservation of the saints, and glorification.


Man is actually made just by the grace of the Holy Spirit after he has been declared just and restored to the favor of God in justification. It is the judicial verdict of God, expressed in the act of justification, which guarantees the elect sinner will not fall away from grace, but will continue to walk with the Lord until he is finally glorified.

Sola Fide!

 

[JIM]

The doctrine of justification by faith alone is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls.

The Bible speaks of justification by faith alone in only one place, namely James 2:24; and there James declares that justification is not by faith alone.

 

[Carbon]

The Bible speaks of justification by faith alone in only one place, namely James 2:24; and there James declares that justification is not by faith alone.

Are you wrestling with James also?

 

[JIM]

Are you wrestling with James also?

No. Just wrestling with your false thinking of justification by faith alone when the Bible never ever makes such a declaration.

 

[Carbon]

No. Just wrestling with your false thinking of justification by faith alone when the Bible never ever makes such a declaration.

Yeep. You sure are wrestling.

Are you another hopeless victim of Wright?

 

[Eleanor]

The Bible speaks of justification by faith alone in only one place, namely James 2:24; and there James declares that justification is not by faith alone.

James is using a different meaning, of the two following meanings of "justification," than is Paul:

1) legal declaration of forensic righteousness (Ge 15:6, Ro 4:1-3), and
2) evidentiary proof of a thing (i.e., being righteous) as in: her fear was justified by the fearful event actually taking place quite some time later,

where James is using the second meaning above.
That is why James can assert a time gap of approximately 25 years between God's justification (#1) of Abraham and James' justification (#2) of Abraham.
They, using two different meanings, are both correct in what each is actually stating.

 

[Carbon]

What does justification involve?
Keep in mind it is a forensic, judicial act of God. In justification, God acts as judge, not a doctor. So we must be careful not to fall into the error of the Roman Catholic Church and confuse justification and sanctification. According to Rome, justification affects the inner renewal of man; it washes away the pollution of sin and makes his will and affections conform with the law of God.

Of course, if this view was correct, then there wouldn't be any essential difference between justification and sanctification. But according to scripture, they are altogether different.

According to scripture justification is an objective, forensic, declaratory act of God. It does not produce a subjective change within us. It does not affect our inner condition. It does not make us virtuous, it does not cleanse our souls of the pollution of sin. On the contrary, when God justifies us, He renders a verdict with respect to our legal status. He declares that the demands of the law have been fully satisfied with regard to us. Then He acquits us of all guilt. Then He cancels our debt. He then adopts us as children and grants us all the rights as sonship.

And mind you, when God justifies us, He does so in spite of the fact that we are contaminated with sin from head to toe. He does this completly aware that our hearts are desperately wicked, and prone to violate his commandments every day.

Justification is the pronouncement of a judge, sanctification bears an ethical character. Justification takes place wholly outside of us in the court of heaven. Sanctification is the work within our souls.
Justification changes our legal status, Sanctification changes our inner condition. Justification frees us of our guilt and gives us a title in heaven. Sanctification removes the pollution of sin and prepares us for the entrance into heaven.

Justification is a momentary act. It takes place in a second. But sanctification is a long drawn-out process, which lasts from the moment we are regenerated unto the hour of our death.


Scripture teaches men are Justified by or through faith, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 3:22.

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28.

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Romans 3:30.

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.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26. Or, out of faith as in Romans 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

[ReverendRV]

What does justification involve?
Keep in mind it is a forensic, judicial act of God. In justification, God acts as judge, not a doctor. So we must be careful not to fall into the error of the Roman Catholic Church and confuse justification and sanctification.

That's it!

That's the answer to the Category Mistake of Faith and Works...

 

[Carbon]

What does justification involve?
Keep in mind it is a forensic, judicial act of God. In justification, God acts as judge, not a doctor. So we must be careful not to fall into the error of the Roman Catholic Church and confuse justification and sanctification. According to Rome, justification affects the inner renewal of man; it washes away the pollution of sin and makes his will and affections conform with the law of God.

Of course, if this view was correct, then there wouldn't be any essential difference between justification and sanctification. But according to scripture, they are altogether different.

According to scripture justification is an objective, forensic, declaratory act of God. It does not produce a subjective change within us. It does not affect our inner condition. It does not make us virtuous, it does not cleanse our souls of the pollution of sin. On the contrary, when God justifies us, He renders a verdict with respect to our legal status. He declares that the demands of the law have been fully satisfied with regard to us. Then He acquits us of all guilt. Then He cancels our debt. He then adopts us as children and grants us all the rights as sonship.

And mind you, when God justifies us, He does so in spite of the fact that we are contaminated with sin from head to toe. He does this completly aware that our hearts are desperately wicked, and prone to violate his commandments every day.

Justification is the pronouncement of a judge, sanctification bears an ethical character. Justification takes place wholly outside of us in the court of heaven. Sanctification is the work within our souls.
Justification changes our legal status, Sanctification changes our inner condition. Justification frees us of our guilt and gives us a title in heaven. Sanctification removes the pollution of sin and prepares us for the entrance into heaven.

Justification is a momentary act. It takes place in a second. But sanctification is a long drawn-out process, which lasts from the moment we are regenerated unto the hour of our death.


Scripture teaches men are Justified by or through faith, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 3:22.

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28.

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Romans 3:30.

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.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26. Or, out of faith as in Romans 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Oops, forgot.


And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9.

Notice Imputation in this? Something that Tom Wright denies.

 

[ReverendRV]

Oops, forgot.


And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9.

Notice Imputation in this? Something that Tom Wright denies.

I will never, NEVER seek a Righteousness of my own...

If that sends me to Hell, so be it...


I'm convinced though that adding my righteousness to his Justification, WILL send me to Hell...

 

[Carbon]

I will never, NEVER seek a Righteousness of my own...

Amen brother, amen!

 

[Eleanor]

Oops, forgot.


And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9.

Notice Imputation in this? Something that Tom Wright denies.

Just gotta' point out that "being found in him" refers to the OT cities of refuge where one was safe from the avenger of blood.

 

[ReverendRV]

I will never, NEVER seek a Righteousness of my own...

If that sends me to Hell, so be it...


I'm convinced though that adding my righteousness to his Justification, WILL send me to Hell...

Baseball ~ by ReverendRV * January 27

Hebrews 12:14 NIV; Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

In Baseball the first time a player comes up to bat, his batting average begins at zero. If he gets a hit, the Player’s batting average is now ‘batting a Thousand’ (100%). As long as the Player keeps getting hits, his batting average will remain at a Thousand; but will never rise above that. When the Player finally gets out, his batting average goes from a Thousand to an average percentage of all his at bats. At this point the Players career average will never, ever again be a Thousand. ~ This is what it’s like when we Sin; if you’ve ever Lied or Stolen, then your lifetime average of Righteousness becomes lower. ~ To get into Heaven our lifetime average of being Sinless has to be like the perfect batting average; ‘batting a Thousand” ~ Swing and a miss; “You’re out!”…

Jesus is the only person who has lived and batted a Thousand in Life by never Sinning. He gives his Sinless Life’s average to all who want to be Saved from Hell, in exchange for their lifetime average at bat for Striking out. When we have his perfect Record, then we are acceptable before God. ~ Let's say your average of Righteousness is .333; and you like it. Now you have a new problem; a little leaven leavens the whole lump; James 2:10 says; “For whoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all”. If your lifetime Righteous average is .333, then the truth of James 2:10 applies to you; your average is not seen as .333 by God but is seen as 0.000! God sees your righteousness as a filthy rag and says that since you’ve Sinned and broken some of his Laws, you are judged to be guilty of having broken all of his Laws. ~ How Sinful is that?!

What if you wanted the average that Jesus earned but don’t want to trade him your average for it? If we look at a combined righteousness which is Christ’s and yours, then there is a problem; the ‘Team Average” goes down. If you insist on keeping your record of righteousness and also hold to Christ’s perfect and Holy Record of Righteousness, ‘your’ record is averaged into ‘his’ Record; this is a terrible thing! Grace is no longer Grace and you are not Holy enough to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; you’re again viewed by God to be back at zero. Trust in the Lords Righteousness alone and you will be ‘safe at home’. His Record is perfect and can only be ruined if you add anything to it! Jesus Christ’s Record is freely given to you by God’s Grace thru Faith in him as your Risen Savior, apart from playing a game you can’t win. Repent of your Sins so they can’t be averaged into your new record. Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God and study your Bible. Be the MVP of God’s All Star team by joining a Church and find Lost Souls. ~ “Home Run!”

1st John 2:2; And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

 

[Sereni-tea]

The doctrine of justification by faith alone is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls. Justification is the pivotal point around which everything moves.

While justification by faith alone is an important doctrine of the church, I diagree with the statement that it is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls. Surely such a claim belongs only to the gospel message itself - that through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ we have forgiveness of sins? It is the crucifixion itself around which everything moves, around which the whole of history turns. No other doctrine comes close to this.

 

[Red Baker]

The Bible speaks of justification by faith alone in only one place, namely James 2:24; and there James declares that justification is not by faith alone.

Well Greetings old friend. When I saw this I had to say something, or else, you would think that you are correct.

Jim, it is not difficult to understand as long as a person's soteriology puts the crown upon Christ's head, and do not try to share the glory that belongs only to him.

Jim, faith is the evidence of legal justification secured by Christ's obedience alone. Since faith is a work~per Matthew 23:23; and 1st John 3:23; and etc. James is decarling without such, a man's faith (so-called) is no better than the devils that at least believe and tremble.

So, do you see as James would ask, how a man is justified by works (any work which a man has an active part in,) and not by faith alone which is the system under which God has placed us under to reveal to our conscience (Romans 5:1) and others (James 2) that we are indeed children of God's free grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ's faith and obedience, which legally justifies before the law of God.

 

[Carbon]

While justification by faith alone is an important doctrine of the church, I diagree with the statement that it is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls. Surely such a claim belongs only to the gospel message itself - that through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ we have forgiveness of sins? It is the crucifixion itself around which everything moves, around which the whole of history turns. No other doctrine comes close to this.

I understand how you would feel that way, sadly. Wright is very manipulative after all. But concerning his many other against scripture teachings, which always try to trickle into the church, this one God waited a couple of thousand years to send a guru to teach Christendom. After the reformers put truths in place? So, for 500 years the church was misled by the Reformers? This is a very important doctrine. I pray you can work through this sister.

 

[Red Baker]

Free Justification, is by faith and obedience alone~but, the questions that decides the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is this: " WHO"S faith and obedience is the means of free justification?"

Certainly not man's, but Christ's alone is the means of legal Justification before the law of God. Some place Justification to be in "our" faith. But we place it only in Christ where it is, and to whom it belongs. Justification consists in the taking away of sin. None but Christ can do that. Justification and acceptation are one. For without Justification there is no acceptation. And seeing we are accepted in Christ, we are justified only in Him. If our justification be a spiritual blessing, ( as it is, } then it is in Christ where all spiritual blessings are. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” ( Ephesians 1:3 ) Where our redemption and righteousness are, there is our Justification. Righteousness and justification are one. This we have not in ourselves but in Christ, “who is made unto us of God, wisdom and righteousness.” ( Ist Corinthians 1:30 ) “In whom we have redemption.”( Colossians:14 ) Our Justification is a part of our completeness. Therefore, where we are complete, there we are justified. But we are not complete in ourselves, but in Him. “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” ( Colossians 2:10 ) If all things on which depends our happiness were accomplished, John 19:28, ( “Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled; ) then was our justification also accomplished. For without that no man could be saved from sins and condemnation of God's holy law.

We hold the Reformers very highly for their love of the scriptures, and their boldness in preaching, but they did bring some foul doctrines with them out of the harlot RCC. They were on the right path, but did not take justification by Christ alone far enough, they still had man having a part in it, even though much smaller than the RCC/EOC.

 

[Ladodgers6]

Free Justification, is by faith and obedience alone~but, the questions that decides the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is this: " WHO"S faith and obedience is the means of free justification?"

Certainly not man's, but Christ's alone is the means of legal Justification before the law of God. Some place Justification to be in "our" faith. But we place it only in Christ where it is, and to whom it belongs. Justification consists in the taking away of sin. None but Christ can do that. Justification and acceptation are one. For without Justification there is no acceptation. And seeing we are accepted in Christ, we are justified only in Him. If our justification be a spiritual blessing, ( as it is, } then it is in Christ where all spiritual blessings are. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” ( Ephesians 1:3 ) Where our redemption and righteousness are, there is our Justification. Righteousness and justification are one. This we have not in ourselves but in Christ, “who is made unto us of God, wisdom and righteousness.” ( Ist Corinthians 1:30 ) “In whom we have redemption.”( Colossians:14 ) Our Justification is a part of our completeness. Therefore, where we are complete, there we are justified. But we are not complete in ourselves, but in Him. “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” ( Colossians 2:10 ) If all things on which depends our happiness were accomplished, John 19:28, ( “Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled; ) then was our justification also accomplished. For without that no man could be saved from sins and condemnation of God's holy law.

We hold the Reformers very highly for their love of the scriptures, and their boldness in preaching, but they did bring some foul doctrines with them out of the harlot RCC. They were on the right path, but did not take justification by Christ alone far enough, they still had man having a part in it, even though much smaller than the RCC/EOC.

Justification by Faith Alone apart from works of the Law, is the greatest news any wicked ungodly sinner can hear. To even suggest that a sinner's salvation lies in their works of any kind, especially in the Decalogue, is still believing the serpent that we will not surely die, that something good remains in fallen man that he can offer God in exchange for his favor.

God justifies the "UNGODLY" sinner who believes, trusts, and rests on God and his Promise. That will provide for him everything that he needs by God in Christ that atones his sins; does not impute sin, but counts the man righteous apart from works, because Christ through his life of perfect holiness has clothed him in his white robe of righteousness, and is declared by God to be perfectly righteous in his sight! And from this reconciliation and restoration, the justified believer can and will live to God, producing good works that spring up from this justifying vine. But even these works do not justify the sinners, only by the sole merits of Christ is a sinner justified.

That's why Paul anticipates the objection after preaching this glorious Gospel, "Shall we continue to sin, that Grace may abound?". Now if one doesn't come to this objection, they haven't understood Paul and the Gospel. Because the Gospel is God's Free Grace, and the freer it is, the better it is.

We must understand that 3 elements belong together; 1) The Promise Itself, 2)The Fact That The Promise Is Free, and 3) That The Merits of Christ Are The Payment And Atoning Sacrifice. So what is necessary? That God Promised me, you, the forgiveness of your sins, all on account of Jesus Christ and demands nothing of you for it. It's all given to you "FREE"; Gratis! It's By Grace through Faith Alone, and that's what makes the Gospel the Gospel! When you remove the "Aloneness", of this, and make it somehow about my response, my ability, it seizes to be the Gospel, now become something else entirely, basically no gospel at all.

By Grace Alone in Christ Alone!
​

 

[JIM]

Well Greetings old friend. When I saw this I had to say something, or else, you would think that you are correct.

Jim, it is not difficult to understand as long as a person's soteriology puts the crown upon Christ's head, and do not try to share the glory that belongs only to him.

Jim, faith is the evidence of legal justification secured by Christ's obedience alone. Since faith is a work~per Matthew 23:23; and 1st John 3:23; and etc. James is decarling without such, a man's faith (so-called) is no better than the devils that at least believe and tremble.

So, do you see as James would ask, how a man is justified by works (any work which a man has an active part in,) and not by faith alone which is the system under which God has placed us under to reveal to our conscience (Romans 5:1) and others (James 2) that we are indeed children of God's free grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ's faith and obedience, which legally justifies before the law of God.

James is using a different meaning, of the two following meanings of "justification," than is Paul:

1) legal declaration of forensic righteousness (Ge 15:6, Ro 4:1-3), and
2) evidentiary proof of a thing (i.e., being righteous) as in: her fear was justified by the fearful event actually taking place quite some time later,

where James is using the second meaning above.
That is why James can assert a time gap of approximately 25 years between God's justification (#1) of Abraham and James' justification (#2) of Abraham.
They, using two different meanings, are both correct in what each is actually stating.

My reference to James' declaration in 2:17 really had nothing to do with the definition of justification. My point was and is that there is no statement anywhere in the NT, or in the whole Bible, that justification, whatever be the definition, is by faith alone. Therefore. the very concept must be a formulation of a doctrine that simply does not appear in the text anywhere.