I. The idea of justification:
A. A legal concept.
1. It is our state or position before the law of God; one’s legal position.
a. The word means: to make just: to make right.
b. It indicates that God has judgcd us and declared us to be without guilt.
2. Specifically, the benefits of justification are two:
a. The forgiveness of sins.
1) These God declares to be gone.
2) Therefore the sentence of death is also taken away.
b. Adoption unto sonship.
1) Are declared legally worthy to be sons of God.
2) And are assured of all His benefits.
B. Aspects of justification:
1. Eternal justification–we are chosen in Christ before the foundations of the carth.
a. God did not simply choose.
b. But He chose us as justified children of God.
2. Justification on thc cross:
a. There, in time, Christ fulfilled what God’s justice demanded.
b. And this work is then the basis of all justification.
3. In the consciousness of the saint.
a. In regeneration and conversion we become conscious of justification.
b. Thus we speak of our personal justification.
4. Finally, there is eternal justification when Christ returns on the clouds of glory.
II. A sure foundation.
A. As Such.
1. There can be no trust in self or in our merits in this truth.
a. Man’s nature is always to boast and reveal pride.
b. But this view of justification allows for none of that.
2. For glory must wholly be ascribed to God for His work in saving us.
B. Errors which seek to destroy this foundation:
1. The error of Romanism.
a. These indeed teach that Christ merited faith for us.
b. With that faith, we can do good works which become the ground of our justification.
c. This view is false because it denies that scriptural truth that Christ’s blood is the only ground of justification.
2. Arminian error:
a. These too insist that we are not justified by works but by faith alone.
b. But–they add that faith is a work of man which any can exereise and by which he is justified.
c. This view also denies the efficacy of the cross.
III. A sufficient cover.
A. As such.
1. Man has made many attempts to “cover” his sin.
a. He is interested in removing the certainty of punishment for sin.
b. Uses arguments to convince himself that either he has not sinned, or that God would not punish him for sin.
2. But sufficient “cover” is to be found in the blood of Christ alone.
a. This satisfies completely the demands of God.
b. Thus are the sins of His people removed.
B. Assurance in such a cover.
1. All our sin is covered without exception.
2. Then gives confidence in approaching to God.
Worksheet
A. Supplementary readinz;
1. Psalm 32; Romans 4 and 5.
2. Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Days 23, 24.
3. Canons of Dordt, II-8; III-IV-10.
4. Westminster Catechisn, question 74.
B. Questions for consideration:
1. Which is first, justification or sanctification? Why?
2. How were the saints of the Old Testament justified?
3. What differences are there between justification and sanctification?
4. Prove that justification is from eternity.
5. What does James teach concerning justification and works?
6. Can you prove from scripture that the ground for our justification is the resurrection of Christ? What does this mean?
7. What is the proof of our justification?