INTRODUCTION
It is our conviction that the believer is justified (declared righteous) before God by faith in the substitutional death of Christ on his behalf. We believe that works play no part in the salvation of the believer and that the believer rests secure in the knowledge that all claims against him have been fully satisfied at the cross of Christ. We believe that justification is the free gift of God, His unmerited favor shown in a complete pardon of all our sin and that it is the central truth of the New Testament.
THE ROLE OF FAITH IN JUSTIFICATION
We believe that Christ has done all that is necessary on His part to secure our justification. God is fully satisfied with His sacrifice on our behalf. We have "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7). God's part is complete. But there is something needed on our part.
We must receive this justification. It is not enough to simply acknowledge that justification is possible. We must receive it or else it is of no effect in our lives. First, it is necessary for us to agree with God that we have sinned against Him and are in rebellion against Him. Second, we must confess that we have sinned against Him and ask for forgiveness. Third, we must be willing to turn away from sin and forsake it. Finally, we must accept the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf, His life given for us so that we might live.
This is accomplished by faith. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the confident expectation that what we have asked, shall be granted. And through faith, we have been justified - declared righteous - because of what Christ has done for us. It is a past fact. It has happened, it has been accomplished and is freely offered to all who would believe. But it is accomplished by faith. "For without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
If we have accepted Christ we have been justified. Neither our feelings, our circumstances or even our daily falling short (sins) can change that fact. We have been justified.
3 comments:
after reading this, i should really have my PhD in Theology!
thats solid!
Pastor S
Okie,
I would agree we are not saved by works, but faith without works is dead according to James 2:26. The question is how do we define “works”. In James' two examples 1).Abraham offering his son as a sacrifice, and 2).Rahab the harlot when she received the spies - we do not see the type of behavior associated with good works. Human sacrifice and lying is not on any top 10 list of good works I have ever seen. :) So what does James mean by works here? I think it is clear that where there is faith in Christ there is obedience, and action. Even the thief on the cross showed a work when he rebuked the other thief for taunting Christ, and then asking Jesus to remember him. His faith was not just a mental assent, but he cried out to God for salvation.
We are not saved by works alone, but faith will demand obedience and action from our lives.
BMR
BMR: We are not justified by works; however, without the works that demonstrate faith, there is no justification.
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