JUSTIFICATION #10 POWER FOR LIVING A key to understanding

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2) How is it possible to maintain fellowship with God, avoid the snare of the devil, ad triumph over the world? Is the secret found in ardent activity? That personal involvement is required cannot be denied; yet, that is not the secret. You can work hard, and still go to hell! Justification is accomplished by faith, and it is by faith that spiritual life is sustained. Habakkuk first said it. "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith" (Hab 2:4). The justified person maintains divine fellowship through personal faith -- "his faith." This phrase--"the just shall live by faith"--is quoted several times by Paul. In each instance, a contrast is made with being justified by the law principle, or by doing. Faith is spiritual vision. We truly "live" only to the degree that the truth of God is perceived. Our persuasion of the "truth of the Gospel" is the chord of life. If we lose our hold on this, we immediately begin to die spiritually. This occurs because we are not in a moral vacuum. We are in a world whose prince and god is the devil. "All that is in the world . . . is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-17). Given these conditions, the absence of faith sets us in backward motion!

WHAT IF WE PURSUE JUSTIFICATION BY LAW?

There is a marked tendency in the religious community to pursue justification by a system of law. It is found in the legalistic camp, where strict adherence to preconceived procedures is required. A proceduralized religion is a dangerous one, even though it comes in the name of high- powered spirituality. There are religions that are nothing more than a set of liturgical procedures. A very deceptive legalistic approach is that of many in the charismatic community. Their's is an emphasis of law under the guise of freedom. Like it or not, their faith is in a procedure, an act, or an experience--not in the living God! Such do not boast of their God, but of their experience and/or abilities. The essence of their religion is what they do, not what God has accomplished through Christ. Though great boasts of faith are made in these camps, their religion is nothing more than a law system incognito. I certainly do not mean to offend my dear brethren in that community, but am constrained to speak the truth, come what may. In both of the above cases, I refuse to condemn those whose hearts are right, and who worship God in spirit and in truth. I acknowledge without shame that most of the religious systems in the Christendom that are fundamentally flawed have people within them that are engaged in an earnest quest for the Lord, and whose faith has risen higher than the systems in which they find themselves. But they are godly in spite of the systems in which they find themselves, not because of them. I am further persuaded they know this is the case. I encourage all such people to rise higher, into the realm where unmitigated truth is perceived, Christ is fellowshiped, and true liberty is found.

Grace can be frustrated

It is staggering to consider that the grace of God can be frustrated. This contrasts sharply with commonly taught doctrines like "unconditional love" and "eternal security." Both of these heresies ignore divine pronouncements. Paul speaks plainly on this, and we are bound to accept it. "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain" (Gal 2:21). It is possible to frustrate God's grace! The NASV translates this verse, "I do not nullify the grace of God." Note, grace is nullified by our misconception and misdirection! Do not be hesitant to embrace this affirmation of truth!

Fallen from grace

Some argue that it is not possible to fall from grace. Such arguments are puffs of air that cannot be supported, nor can they sustain the believer. The matter of justification by faith is so critical! Those that seek God's approval by "measuring up" forfeit their right to the grace of God. The Word of the Lord is clear on this point. "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Gal 5:4). Note, he does not say you can fall from grace, but that such ARE fallen from grace! If your theology dulls the sharpness of that affirmation, you need to throw it in the garbage can, counting it but "dung."

CONCLUSION

The subject of justification is both illuminating and blinding. It is illuminating to faith, and blinding to unbelief. It bolsters confidence in the living God, where it should be, and removed it from flesh, where it should not be. It loudly proclaims that God receives us because we have received His Son! It announces that cleansing is based upon the acceptance of the Lamb of God, which "taketh away the sin of the world." The justified one is as accepted by God as His "only begotten Son." This is involved in the proclamation, "He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6). Now, go in the strength of your faith. Do not allow your mind to wander about in a field of theological questions. Seek to think about the proclamations of the Gospel, the provision of propitiation, the announcement of amnesty, and the report of reconciliation. God is well pleased with your faith! Because of this situation, if your will keep the faith, the faith will keep you!

-- TOMORROW: LOOKING AT UNSEEN THINGS --