Just Justification: A Study of the Christian’s Status Before God
June 9, 2010
Just Justification: A Study of the Christian’s Status Before God
Adult Wednesday Night Bible Study
West Broad Church of Christ
June and July, 2010
J.L. Nesmith, Jr., D.Min., Facilitator
(Resource — Andrew Farley, The Naked Gospel)
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Introduction:
Christians often ask, “How can I be sure I am saved?” Perhaps we ask this question because of the messages we receive. People of faith stand on a ledge with the righteous requirement of God on one side and our failure on the other. Is there a way for us to be pulled from that ledge? Open your Bibles, and we will see.
I. The Joy of Justification
We are all bound and in need of redemption. As Christians, we have been taught to work toward that redemption. How does Scripture treat these realities?
· a look at our work
· the result of our work
· a look at Christ’s work
· the result of Christ’s work
Our joy is that we don’t have to depend on ourselves to be right. We can depend on Jesus.
II. The Confusion of Justification
Redemption is one thing, but sin is another. If I as a Christian am justified and holy, why do I still sin?
· a look at who we are
· a look at the reality and role of sin
· a look at desire and transformation
· a look at flesh
We are saved. But we are not saved to sin, we are saved to serve.
III. The Duty of Justification
We are justified, but there is still work to do. How can this fact be understood?
· The perspective at Rome
· The perspective at Crete
· The perspective of James
· The perspective at Corinth
· The perspective at Ephesus
· The perspective of the Hebrews writer
· The perspectives of Peter and John
The Scriptures make it clear that we pursue holy acts not in order to be saved, but because we already are.
Conclusion:
What can we say to all this? The idea of justification can be summarized in the words a young child speaks at the end of a meal: “all gone!”
· our need to do works for salvation is all gone
· our need to rely on the old self is all gone
· our sins are all gone
· our separation from God is all gone
As a Christian serving Jesus with the West Broad Church of Christ, you have a choice to make. You can choose a life of works-based righteousness performed on a ledge of human perfection from which you are bound to fall. Or, you can choose the freedom and confidence God provides in “just justification.” Again, the choice is yours.
