The Proof of Justification

 

ROMANS 5:1; 8:1, 33-34; PHILIPPIANS 3:5

SUBJECT: SALVATION/ JUSTIFICATION

THEME: You can know by the work of the Spirit of God and the statements of the Word of God that you are viewed as righteous before God. Peace, assurance, acceptance, freedom from condemnation, and a lifestyle of fruitful activities that honor God and help others are proofs of justification.

INTRODUCTION:

We know that God on the basis of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection declares believing sinners justified in His sight. Therefore, we are no longer obligated to sin’s penalty, and we are set free from its guilt to live for God’s glory. But, how can we know we are justified? How can we hear the Judge’s verdict and final declaration concerning our case? Is there real proof in the Bible…is there a standard by which I can examine my own heart to discover whether I am indeed justified before God? Can I truly know God views me as righteous? What about those times when I feel guilty for past sins that God has forgiven? Is it possible for God to declare us as un-justified because we failed morally?

These are great questions and yes, God has anticipated such inquiries and provided answers in his word to help us with this. Let us look together at his answers....

LESSON:

I. What is The Proof of Justified Sinners?

When a person is fully accepted by the Lord based on the work of Jesus Christ, they should have some evidence or indication in their lives that they are indeed justified. The following is a list of what God stated specifically about the characteristics of justification with regards to the Believer’s experience.

A.  BECAUSE WE ARE JUSTIFIED WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD.

Romans 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Clearly, the great apostle links justification by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ to a consequent spiritual and internal “peace” for the new convert. This is not relational in its nature nor is it horizontal referring to other people. No, it is entirely vertical pointing directly to the state of affairs between the Lord God and the repentant-believing new convert. I love what W.A. Elwell says regarding this peace,

The nature of this gift of peace brought by Jesus may be easier to explain by stating what it is not. It is not an end to tension, an absence of warfare, domestic tranquility, nor anything like the worldly estimation of peace (Lk 12:51–53; Jn 14:27; 16:32, 33). Its presence may, on the contrary, actually disturb existing relations, being a dividing “sword” in familial relations (Mt 10:34–37). Jesus’ gift of peace is, in reality, the character and mood of the new covenant of his blood which reconciles God to man (Rom 5:1; Col 1:20) and forms the basis of subsequent reconciliation between men under Christ (Eph 2:14–22).^[1]

I can clearly recall the turbulence and fantastic disturbance in my own soul prior to my conversion while under the preaching of the gospel. I was anxious, concerned, fearful, ashamed, and desperately in need of God to deal graciously with me. I had lived in sin for years…real sin occupied my heart, thoughts, motives, dreams, and life. I was guilty in the presence of perfect holiness, righteousness and justice…. I was entirely without excuse and there was nothing I could leverage to secure a plea bargain or win the righteous judge’s favor.

I am so thankful that the preaching that night I was saved pointed to Jesus as the payment for all my sins! Yes, even my darkest sins…Jesus paid for it and that night I acknowledged my guilt and embraced the complete payment of Jesus Christ on my behalf…for my sins…all of my sins. When God forgave me that night…when he released me from the eternal responsibility for my sinfulness…when God declared me righteous through faith in Jesus…I knew it! The joy and peace and the sense that I was forgiven flooded my soul like the noon day sun fills the sky! I was no longer under conviction to be saved; I was now being assured that I was saved by the same Spirit of God. Peace with God was the new reality for me. Peace…wonderful sweet eternal peace with the righteous Judge!  

The first great benefit enjoyed by those of us who have been justified by faith is peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The war is over. Hostilities have ceased. Through the work of Christ all causes of enmity between our souls and God have been removed. We have been changed from foes to friends by a miracle of grace.^[2]

Why Indian Found Peace At Once

An Indian and a white man were brought under deep conviction of sin by the same sermon. The Indian was immediately led to rejoice in pardoning mercy. The white man was for a long time in distress, almost to despair. But he was at last brought to a sweet sense of his sins forgiven. Some time after, meeting his red brother, he said to him: “How is it that I should be so long under conviction, when you found peace at once?”

“O brother,” replied the Indian, “me tell you! There comes along a rich prince. He proposes to give you a new coat; you look pretty good, it will do a little longer. He then offers me a new coat. I look at my old blanket; I say, this good-for-nothing, and brother, you try to keep your own righteousness, you won’t give it up; but I, poor Indian, had none, so I glad at once to receive the righteousness of God—the Lord Jesus Christ.”—Scattered Seed^[3]

This gift of peace or reconciliation with God, made available through Christ, places an ethical demand on the Christian; it calls for the exercises of “peace” (as reconciliation between persons) within the church. Peace, as a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), is to be the goal of the Christian’s dealings with others (Rom 12:18; 14:19; Heb 12:14, etc.), that which marks one’s identity as a “child of God” (Mt 5:9).^[4]

B.  BECAUSE WE ARE JUSTIFIED WE ARE NO LONGER CONDEMNED.

Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Having trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, we are shielded from official and legal condemnation from a divine direction. Yes, our hearts may still condemn us at times, and the devil will point a finger of accusation, but zero condemnation will come from God—the God who declared us as righteous. Note the insightful observations of J.A. Witmer,

But first Paul reminded his readers that therefore—since deliverance is “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (7:25)—no condemnation (katakrima, “punishment”) awaits those who are in Christ Jesus, as a result of their faith and identification with Him (cf. 6:13; John 5:24). They are justified, declared righteous, and therefore stand in His grace (Rom. 5:2) and not under His wrath (1:18), and possess eternal life (5:17–18, 21). Christ is the sphere of safety for all who are identified with Him by faith.^[5]

God has declared us as righteous in Christ Jesus and his word is final. He will not change his mind if we fail in some area or sin. Our justification before God is not based on our performance or the lack thereof; it is entirely based on God’s work in Christ Jesus. God is not so confused that he will eventually condemn people who have believed the Gospel. There is zero condemnation from the divine direction; instead there is full acceptance and security in Jesus Christ for such believers. Dr. Wiersbe’s thoughts on this cannot be improved upon saying,

The verse does not say “no mistakes” or “no failures,” or even “no sins.” Christians do fail and make mistakes, and they do sin. Abraham lied about his wife; David committed adultery; Peter tried to kill a man with his sword. To be sure, they suffered consequences because of their sins, but they did not suffer condemnation. The Law condemns; but the believer has a new relationship to the Law, and therefore he cannot be condemned.^[6] 

So, again because we are justified by God because of faith in Jesus Christ we are no longer in threat of eternal condemnation in the Lake of Fire forever. We should experience peace and deepening assurance based on these first two points alone. The Spirit of God is working to bring these spiritual realities to the conscious and experiential level for real believers. Peace and assurance are yours due to the Spirit of God’s work deep within as we embrace these statements of Scripture. None of this negates the Lord’s work of chastening and correcting believers when we live in a disobedient manner, but remember God chastens his children (Heb. 12). That is correct, chastening by God for disobedience in believers is a legitimate indicator of real spiritual sonship to God. In contrast, real believers will never be condemned to hell by their heavenly Father…we have been declare as righteous and are viewed as no longer guilty before God. Jesus paid it all!

C.  BECAUSE WE ARE JUSTIFIED WE ARE NO LONGER CHARGED WITH SIN.

Romans 8:33-34, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.  34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Apostle Paul aptly poses the question, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" That is who can effectively bring a charge or accusation of guilt against believers? Who can place responsibility for our sins, the moral failures of God's chosen people, upon us? Certainly, no mere human being can play this role! Who is left to make such a charge then? God?.... Wait...God is responsible for justifying real believers, so why would he then charge them with sin? "It is God that justifieth." With this being the case, it is reasonable to conclude that absolutely no one can make a charge of sin stick against a real child of God!  Because we are justified by the God-Judge we are no longer subject to any charges of sin before the divine court. 

Furthermore, the believer cannot be charged with sin because our sins were tried, condemned and judged completely on the Cross of Calvary. Our past sins, present sins, and future sins were all already paid for. When we sin we do break fellowship with God, but we can never break relationship to God. This is why we can never be charged with sins or condemned to hell for them. It is Christ who died and it is Christ who rose again; we are entirely identified with the Lord Jesus who conquered sin, death, the grave, and hell through his resurrection. We share the credit for achieving all of this also! We are with Christ and victorious over death, sin, hell, and the grave! This is our position in Christ and the Bible challenges us to live out this victorious reality in every facet of our lives and experiences. Finally, to further assure us of our security in the work of Christ…God tells us that Jesus is at his right hand presently praying for you and me and all believers! Remember, the place at God’s right hand is the place of power and authority after Christ’s triumph at Calvary and the resurrection. He ascended back to heaven to represent and minister on the behalf of every real believer. He is there to preserve us until we are changed in the Rapture—when redemption is completely and fully realized.

Webster And John Colby

The oldest sister of Daniel Webster was married to John Colby—the wickedest man in the neighborhood in respect to swearing and impiety. Then news came to Webster of a change, and he went to visit him.

On entering the house, he saw a large-print Bible opened which Colby had just been reading. The first question Colby asked Webster was, “Are you a Christian?” and then suggested that both kneel and pray!

When the visit was done, Webster told a friend: “I would like to hear what enemies of religion say of Colby’s conversion. Here was a man as unlikely to be a Christian as any I ever saw; and he had gone his godless way until now with old age and habits hard to change! Yet see him—a penitent, trusting, humble believer! Nothing short of the grace of Almighty God.”^[7]

D.  BECAUSE WE ARE JUSTIFIED WE ARE COUNTED AS RIGHTEOUS.

Philippians 3:9, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

This is the focus of this entire study—through faith in Jesus Christ alone we are justified before God. This is a present reality—we are counted as righteous before God and by God. Our spiritual account has been credited with the marvelous righteousness of God himself. The righteousness graciously given to repentant believers is identical in quality, duration, value, and perfection as that of the Triune God-head! You and I as believers in Christ Jesus are regarded by God himself as righteous! Just like himself!

Paul upon exposure to Christ the Savior yearned to truly be found in Christ fully relinquishing any scrap of self-righteousness or works righteousness from the Law and trusting Christ alone for God-righteousness! The justified ones possess God-righteousness alone and are rightly counted as righteous by God.

E.  BECAUSE WE ARE JUSTIFIED WE PERFORM GOOD WORKS.

James 2:20-26, But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  21, Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  22, Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  23, And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  24, Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

I only wanted to mention this fact to state that this form of justification is before people and not before God. People can make judgments about the legitimacy of our claims to be Christian. What demonstrates that our claims are genuine is the fact that we live and serve like real believers. Again this is not justification in the court of God by God. No, this is vindication before fellow human beings regarding the reality of our claims to be Christians. Justification before people is the idea. There is only one way to be declare righteous before God and it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. However, the way we justify ourselves before other professing believers is by living out our faith—involving ourselves in wholesome activities that glorify God and help our fellow man. Our faith takes on street credibility when it positively impacts our world. While anyone can claim to be a believer in Jesus Christ, only those who live out the implications of their faith through service should be taken seriously. It is true we cannot see the true hearts condition of another person, but it is equally true that we can discern the fruit of a tree to detect its true nature.

George Muller’s Turnabout

At the age of sixteen George Muller of Bristol, England, was imprisoned for theft; and later at the university he lived a drinking, profligate life, acting dishonestly even toward his friends. At twenty years of age he came under the influence of the Bible, and the miracle of regeneration was wrought. He who had been a thief was now so utterly a new creature that in the course of the years he gave away, of the money sent to him for his personal use, no less a sum than $135,000, and when he died his personal possessions were valued at less than $1,000.—Christian Digest^[8]

CONCLUSION:

God on the basis of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection declares believing sinners justified in His sight. Therefore, we are no longer obligated to sin’s penalty, and we are set free from its guilt to live for God. The Perfect Judge declares believing sinners as righteous! Beloved, He has the final Word in this matter. In addition, justification can be experienced. You can know by the work of the Spirit of God and the statements of the Word of God that you are viewed as righteous by God. Peace, assurance, acceptance, freedom from condemnation, and a lifestyle of fruitful activities that honor God and help others are certifiable proofs of real conversion. We are not justified by these efforts, but these realities are sensed deeply in our own spirits and the Spirit of God shows us we are just before God.

Once again an anatomy affords us a structure and some organization of this giant topic in the Bible. Hopefully this article with the other two on this topic enables conversation on the topic of justification; my aim has been to expose the constituent parts and their relationship to each other. Much like a human anatomy diagram will demonstrate the various internal organs and their approximate relationship to each other. In this anatomy of justification series we showed the relationship of other grand theological concepts to each other. In this article we demonstrated some ways justification is experienced by the genuine child of God, and this provides proof of our standing before God.

Before I close this article I would like to ask one last question. Have you been saved God’s way or have you been deceived by false notions associated with Christianity? I realize the question is a bit intrusive, but you are important to God. There is but one way to God and his name is Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn. 14:6). Absolutely no one can come to God for salvation and relationship without the Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one divine liaison between humanity and God and he is our Lord Jesus Christ. No one else in the entire universe qualifies for this job. 

Yes, there is such a thing as self-righteousness where people hold themselves up as a standard of acceptable lifestyles and behaviors. The problem is they judge others by their actions and give themselves a pass by judging themselves based on their intentions. Condemnation, pride, and estrangement are the natural out workings of this poor system. It does not even slightly approach the righteousness of God (Rom. 3).

Another misconception is works-righteousness which consists in our personal performance and obedience to God’s Law and requirements. In this model we fain to keep the Ten Commandments, to obey the Golden Rule always, to treat others right, and to generally be good people (Phil 3). The problem with this approach is that we cannot do only right and we cannot stop all sinning. Even one sin by any person is a violation of the entire standard requirements of God! No matter how hard we try to do well and right—to live good lives—we still cannot change our very nature. We are sinners. That is correct…we sin because we are deeply sinful within our hearts, minds, spirits, and desires (Rom. 3).

We need a miracle from God to change us. We need God to graciously save us. That is why Jesus died willingly at Calvary…to do for us what we could only do for ourselves if we were condemned to hell forever. Instead Jesus took our place and suffered and died in our stead for our sins and evil. Jesus rose again the third day exactly as he repeatedly said he would. This signified that he is indeed the Savior and that he did pay for sin completely and that God the Father was utterly pleased with Christ’s sacrifice (1Cor. 15). Beloved, Jesus is the only means of real salvation and obtaining God-righteousness (2Tim. 1:9-10). I ask again…have you been saved God’s way? If not…discard your self-righteousness and your works righteousness and choose instead God-righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no need to delay. Trust Jesus Christ today for the forgiveness of sins. Then God will graciously declare you as righteous. He did this for me and he will do the same for you. Trust Jesus Christ for God-righteousness.  

 

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^[1] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Peace. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1635). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

^[2] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1695). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[3] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1204). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

^[4] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Peace. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1635). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

^[5] Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 469). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 538). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[7] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1230). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

^[8] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1230). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.