INTRODUCTION

Acts 17:30
God’s Word teaches that Justification (or Regeneration) is the act of God’s grace whereby one receives forgiveness and remission of sins, and is counted righteous before God through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus, standing before God as though he had never sinned (Psalm 32:1,2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:19; John 3:3-8; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 3:24-30; 4:6-16; 5:1,2; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:23).

Justification is God’s act through which a sinner receives forgiveness and remission of sins and is counted righteous before God on the merit of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Having been cleared of every guilt of sin, the regenerated soul stands before God as if he had never sinned (Psalm 32:1,2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:19; Acts 13:38).

SUB TOPICS:

1. THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN

   Sin separates man from God. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Though physically in the garden before judgment came, they were spiritually dead, separated from God (Genesis 2:16,17; 3:1-3,6-10). “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” - Ezekiel 18:4. The separation that sin brings between man and God is not only in time but also in eternity if there is no repentance (Luke 13:24-27; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8,27).

2. THE POVERTY OF THE SINNER

   Man is helpless regarding atonement for sin: he cannot provide a solution for his sin or change his eternal destiny (Psalm 49:6-9; Jeremiah 13:23). The nature of sin is such that man cannot handle it alone or by his good works (Ephesians 2:8,9). God’s standard is high; man lacks the capacity and purity demanded to meet it. Circumcision cannot justify the Jew, nor water baptism the Gentile, and church membership or “confirmation” cannot justify anyone (Galatians 2:15,16; Titus 3:3-5). The sinner must be “born again” (John 3:3).

3. REDEMPTION THROUGH CHRIST’S SACRIFICE

   The sinner is saved on the basis of Christ’s atoning death on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus is “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Christ became our sin bearer, God’s provision, and man’s advocate and propitiation for sin (Romans 3:24,25; Acts 4:12; I John 2:2). By Christ’s finished work, a sufficient and permanent solution was provided for sin to ensure man’s reconciliation with God (Isaiah 44:22,23; 53:5,6,10; Romans 5:6-10; 8:3,4; Hebrews 9:11-14). We are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:12-14).

4. JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH

   Although Christ’s atonement guarantees salvation for all, it is received personally through faith. The sinner must respond to faith in the blood of Jesus, putting it to work by trusting what Jesus has already done (Hebrews 4:2; Romans 10:6-13; Ephesians 2:8,9; Acts 16:29-34).

5. EVIDENCE OF GRACE

   Having been saved through faith in Jesus, the redeemed has evidence in his new life (II Corinthians 5:17). The saved person walks like Jesus in love (Ephesians 5:1,2). Before justification, the sinner practiced the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21), but as a new creature, the fruit of the Spirit is manifest (Galatians 5:22,23). In lifestyle, speech, conduct, and disposition, the redeemed is more like Christ, quickened by the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:17-24; I John 2:6).