Grace and justification
 

I have been studying some on grace and justification, it was been one of the most challenging things I have done, even more then bible prophecy. The more I study it the more I see why so many, from my experience, walk in condemnation never able to get over the hump so to speak.

Looking over my past 24 years or so in church I have not heard one sermon or teaching on justification by faith.

I recently asked several friends from church when one is righteous before God, only one gave the right answer. I see more and more the lack in what is taught regarding salvation and the problems that causes.

Still putting the pieces together on the subject but It really has caused me to have more confidence in prayer and what can happen through faith.

Re: Grace and justification
 

Is it that only one gave the right answer OR only one gave the answer which agrees with your understanding of the matter? Are you the only one with the right answer? If so, won't you please publish it so the rest can know it?

Its not that I am attempting to belittle you because of your statement, rather I am troubled with the perception it gives, as if only you have the "right" answer. Please forgive me if my remarks offend you, but these are the thoughts which came to mind as I read your comments.

Re: Grace and justification
 

I am not easily offended. The right answer is righteousness is a gift of God to us. We made righteous by the blood.

Re: Grace and justification
 

Righteousness is certainly misunderstood.

Its like this:

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 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: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Rom. 3:21-25

The area causing the most problem for people is verse 25.

The righteousness Paul is writing about is simply this.

God will forgive our past sins.

Men have so distorted this they are thinking all their future sins will simply be forgiven. Paul was writing to people showing them Gods mercy and grace as it related to their past life of sin.

Same story in Ephesians.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:8-9

Lets put it this way. A sinner seeking salvation CANNOT bring a list of good deeds and present them before God and demand they be saved on that basis. They cannot plead obedience to Moses law or any self goodness. They must come Gods way, which is through the sacrifice of Christ.

In Romans 3:25 and Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul in both cases is directing his teaching concerning our INITIAL SALVATION.

Its a lot more simple than what todays scholars are trying to make it. They in fact use Ephesians 2:8-9 to promote the idea a new creation Christian then need do nothing in the way of obedience to enter the Kingdom.

That is the great danger. They have a wrong concept of grace and imputed righteousness. It was never meant by Jesus to be a continual covering for sin where one will find FINAL SALVATION apart from his works.

Re: Grace and justification
 

One is justified by faith when he is born again.

Re: Grace and justification
 

I hear Justification often in my church. It's always from the Pastor.

Re: Grace and justification
 

I once asked a long time Pentecostal if they knew what Justification was and they said NO.

Re: Grace and justification
 

Yes! Its not that hard. When forgiveness of sins and being born again is preached justification is being preached.

Re: Grace and justification
 

Many do not know or been told that. To be in Christ is to be justified.

Re: Grace and justification
 

My wife would not like my hanging out with Christy :heeheehee

Re: Grace and justification
 

Haha auto correct at work.

Re: Grace and justification
 

I'd say the first problem is in believing in justification sola fide to begin with.

Abraham wasn't justified just because he heard God's voice and believed it. It wasn't until he first left his homeland and later took Isaac up the mountain and laid him on an altar that he showed faith. James talks about this pretty plainly.

As to the blood element involved, now you're tieing justification to all the other good stuff like propitiation, so again...it is NEVER simply faith alone that does the job.

Re: Grace and justification
 

In my opinion, one is justified by faith. However, faith produces works. If one is justified before God you can be assured that they have obeyed the Gospel in accordance to the best of their knowledge. This includes repentance, water baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. After being born again, one continues to walk in justification. If one didn't continue to walk in justification... one sin would cause one to lose their soul... without any hope of restoration. However, God is patient, kind, and merciful. God will often chasten us while we are sinning to bring repentance.