THE BIBLE AND JUSTIFICATION

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND JUSTIFICATION
Presented by Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Devotional Text: Romans. 3:21-31

INTRODUCTION:

According to the EN English Dictionary, to justify, is to absolve, and declare someone to be free of blame or sin”. This depicts the mercy of GOD to humanity through our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, who died for our sins, that we could be justified before GOD through His redemption, since all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD, (Rom.3:21-24). The cited Scripture shows that our justification is free, and can only be obtained by His grace (vs. 24), and so, there is nothing of human merit in it. So, salvation is not something of man’s ego, but by the grace of God alone, (Eph. 2:8). And, no one is justified before God except by JESUS CHRIST, our BLESSED SAVIOUR and REDEEMER, (Rom. 4:25)

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Justification is freely granted by His grace through the redemption of JESUS CHRIST, (Rom. 3:24)

(2)       Justification is by faith and not by law(vs. 28-30)

(3)       Justification does not nullify to law by faith, (vs.31)

(4)       Justification was achieved through the death and resurrection of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, (Rom. 4:25)

JUSTIFICATION AND THE REDEMPTION OF CHRIST

The word “redemption” from biblical perceptive is freedom from sin and its consequences, which JESUS CHRIST our BLESSED LORD and SAVIOUR made possible by His atoning death. To this end, GOD’s WORD remarks that “our redemption is not with corruptible things like silver and gold, from our aimless conduct received by tradition from our fathers, but with the Precious Blood of CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19), which is  the basis for our justification, (Rom. 3:24). And, by the same token the Scripture equally reveals that “GOD has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us unto the kingdom of the SON HE loves, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). “Therefore, as through one man’s (Adam) offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one man’s (JESUS) righteous act, the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life”, (Rom. 5:18). In view of the above, this lesson restates that:

(i)                    It is the righteous act of JESUS CHRIST that informs the justification of life, (vs. 18)

(ii)                  The redemption of JESUS CHRIST brings justification to humanity, (3:24)

(iii)                 Justification is free by GOD’s grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS, (vs. 24)

JUSTIFICATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BY WORK OF THE LAW

Justification implies that one has been counted righteous before GOD, and no one is justified before the LORD without JESUS CHRIST, “who was delivered up because of our offences, and was raised because of our justification, (Rom. 4:25). This means that justification by law, which is by self effort of man, is no longer of biblical standard (Rom. 3:28-30), as self righteousness which it generates is also an affront to the WORD of GOD, (Rom. 10:1-4). Therefore, the righteousness which comes on one when one believes in CHRIST, comes as a gift by the provision of GOD’s grace, and reigns through JESUS CHRIST, (Rom.5:17). In other words, when one becomes justified by faith, in CHRIST, His Righteousness, in turn, will begin to radiate through one’s life. Based on the foregoing, this lesson asserts that:

(i)                    CHRIST’s justification comes with the righteousness which is not by works of the law, (Rom 3:. 20-22)

(ii)                  By works of the law no flesh (human being) will be justified before GOD, (vs. 20)

(iii)                 Self justification by the works of the law breeds self righteousness which is not acceptable to GOD, (Rom. 10:1-4)

JUSTIFICATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE GRACE OF GOD

According to the Holy Scripture, “the Law was given through Moses, whereas, grace and truth came through JESUS CHRIST”, (John 1:17). And, this lesson had already cited the biblical truth that “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25). To this end, therefore, “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST, through whom we have gained access by faith into His grace in which we now stand, as well as rejoice in the hope of the glory of GOD, (5:1-3). This shows that our justification in CHRIST is a means of peace with GOD (vs.1) and access to His grace, which prompts the hope of the glory of GOD (vs. 2). “Not only so, but also gives us the impetus to rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, character and hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because GOD has poured out His love into our hearts by the HOLY SPIRIT, whom He has given us”, (vs. 3-5). The above biblical narrative vividly notes those who are justified in CHRIST are able to overcome sin and produce good character by means of GOD’s grace. In this connection, it becomes obvious that those justified in CHRIST are:

(i)        Given the grace to persevere in times of suffering, (vs. 3)

(ii)      Empowered to be of good character, (vs. 4)

(iii)     Granted the love that stirs and keeps the hope which does not disappoint alive, (vs. 5)

In conclusion, this lesson stands as a menu which shows that justification is an extension of GOD’s goodness to humanity, through our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, to absolve and declare those who believe in Him free from sin and its consequences, by applying His own Righteousness to them as well as enables them live righteously by His grace, on the account of the Merits of CHRIST. APPROACH HIM TODAY!