Justification by Faith (a) Meaning and Need for Justification(Rom. 3: 23, Gal. 4;19-21) Works and Law do not Justify Anybody(Rom. 4: 1-5, Gal. 2: 16-21)

Back to: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SS1

 

Welcome to class! 

In today’s class, we will be talking about justification by faith. Enjoy the class!

Justification by Faith

Justification means declaring an accused to be right or innocent. It can be described as a situation whereby someone is declared innocent or set free through the process of law from a charge brought against him or her. Sin can be considered an offence against God which attracts various kinds of punishments, such as sickness, diseases including death.

Justification by faith is the righteousness of God acquired through faith in the finished works of Jesus Christ. God sent his only son to the world for the redemption of man, this was the climax of the display of the love of God for man. Anyone who believes that the only begotten son of God died for his sins and received him by Faith will be justified by God. such a person receives God’s grace and salvation and is therefore set free from bondage or punishment of Sin. He receives forgiveness of Sin and is considered righteous.

Paul writes, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” According to him, we are justified by faith as a gift through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. In other words, Paul was saying that man cannot attain the righteousness of God by his effort or by observing the law.

Works and law do not justify anybody (Rom. 4: 1-5, Gal. 2: 16-21)

According to Paul, faith in God is the only means whereby righteousness is received and justification is given. Paul used a case of Abraham who obeyed God’s instruction to leave his kindred and go to the land where God will show him. Abraham was obedient and his faith in God was counted for him as righteousness.

Paul concluded by saying that man is not justified by observing the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.

Benefits/fruits of justification

According to Paul being justified by faith in Christ and his promises we are now in the position to enjoying the following:

1. We will enjoy peace with God because our sin is remitted.
2. We are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ.
3. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us by God.
4. We have access to talk to God in our prayers individually and collectively because he’s our father.
5. Through Justification in Jesus Christ, we become adopted children of God and all the blessings meant for the sons are given to us.
6. Finally, we have the assurance of eternity by Faith in Jesus Christ.

Evaluation

What do you understand by justification by Faith?

Assignment

1. What is the significance of Paul’s teaching and justification to the present-day Christian?
2. From Paul’s letter to the Romans, explain the term justification and state the condition for its achievements (SSCE June 1996).

 

In our next class, we will be talking more about Justification by Faith.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

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