Justification Before God By Pastor Dan Kennedy © January 16, 2011 www.pastorkennedy.com (On the website above, click the link to “recent message notes” to view this message online.) Scripture Reading: Romans 4:1–8 4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Forensic Evidence I have found it interesting that when studying the topic of justification that several articles speak of justification as being a “forensic” term. What does “forensic” mean? How is “forensic” associated with Justification? We have numerous movies and sitcoms on TV that highlight “forensics” in their programs, what exactly does “forensics” mean? According to a broad definition of the term, forensics is the presentation of evidence to a legal system, which would give it the best understanding to a judge or court regarding a just conclusion to a particular case. The first written account of forensics that we know of, according to Elizabeth Schafer, in Ancient Science and Forensics (2008), using medicine and entomology to solve criminal cases is attributed to the book of Xi Yuan Lu (translated as “Washing Away of Wrongs”), written in Song Dynasty China by Song Ci, in 1248. An example given of Forensic Evidence: “In 1784, in Lancaster, John Toms was tried and convicted for murdering Edward Culshaw with a pistol. When the dead body of Culshaw was examined, a pistol wad (crushed paper used to secure powder and balls in the muzzle) found in his head wound matched perfectly with a torn newspaper found in Toms' pocket.” Do the facts about someone’s death conclude that the cause of death was because of poison in the bloodstream, blunt force trauma to the head, a bullet wound, condemning fingerprints, matching clothing, or other evidence leading to the undisputable conviction of the assailant? This is the venue of modern day forensics. How do forensics relate to us when it comes to our relationship with God? What can be indisputable forensic evidence (if everything about us was fully known) that condemns us before God…who is absolutely Holy? God states that mankind’s heart is terribly sick…I think we all know the truth of that statement from personal experience! Jeremiah 17:9–10 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” God has Indisputable Forensic Evidence Against Mankind…against us all – and He has it stored on His “cloud”! Cloud Computing One of the “big” things in today’s technology is “cloud” computing. The “cloud” referred to is the storing of all of our electronic files (from our computers), on another “source” (a proverbial “cloud”) – way off in computing land somewhere – we don’t know where it is, but we can retrieve our information digitally whenever we want it via the internet! This actually stores our information on another company’s hard drive rather than taking up gigabyte space on our own computer. If one is working from the “cloud,” one can retrieve their electronic files and work from anywhere in the world, whether or not he or she has their own computer with them. God’s “Cloud” God had His technology of “clouds” worked out thousands of years ago – before computers ever were dreamed of. He has used the most sophisticated “cloud technology” since the creation of mankind. He has accurate record of all our thoughts, words, emotions, intent, and actions. They are not only in the memory banks of our own mind, but they are also in His eternal Memory Banks. The problem for us with God’s “Comprehension Cloud” is that we cannot hide anything from God! Everything is exposed before Him. Hebrews 4:13 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. God not only knows everything, but He has put within our heart a warning system that we call “conscience” and “guilt” that lets us know when we do wrong. We either avoid the warning system (and become callused to it, as seen in Romans 1:18-32), or we repent from our sin and ask forgiveness from God (1 John 1:9). What are some of the things that condemn us before God? o Our Heart Condemns Us o Our Mind Condemns Us o Our Selfishness Condemns Us o Our Pride Condemns Us o Our Self-Sufficiency Condemns Us o Our Greediness Condemns Us o Our Self-Security Condemns Us o Our Negative Thoughts and Actions toward God Condemns Us o Our Negative Thoughts and Actions toward Others Condemns Us o Our Speech Condemns US o The Complacency of our Lives Condemns Us o Our Innate Desire to Do Wrong, Condemns Us o The Intent of our Wicked Heart Condemns Us o Then we run square into the 10 Commandments! No other gods before Me, God says. No graven images. Do not take the Name of the Lord in vain. Keep the Sabbath day holy. Honor your father and mother. Do not murder (or speak maliciously against others – Jesus). Do not commit adultery (or look on one to lust after them – Jesus). Do not steal. Do not bear false witness against your neighbor. Do not covet what is your neighbor’s. When we are faced with these disastrous shortcomings and sins, we feel inadequate to be who we want to be, or feel condemned by our thoughts and actions; and, we have the ever present, and growing feeling of guilt (Romans 3:19). All of these feelings of inadequacy are “forensic” evidence of our inadequate place before our Creator, who is Holy. Real Guilt We try to drown our sorrows, we try to escape our sorrows, or we try to end our sorrows! We cry out with Paul, “O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24 We understand that there will be the accountability of justice: now or later. 1 Timothy 5:24–25 24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. Why do we need justification? We are absolutely condemned before God if we do not have God’s provision of the supernatural covering of Jesus Christ’s blood as the atonement for our sins! • The Justification of the Repentant before God: In Justification, we are not speaking of “making an individual so they will not sin any more,” (sinlessness will happen when these old sinful bodies are transformed into eternal bodies, and when we will have spirits which are no longer under the curse of sin, Rom. 8:19-25 – but it does not happen while we are still on this earth). Instead, God is declaring, through our Justification, that sin’s penalty has been paid in full by the most costly, sinless sacrifice, in the universe. He “judicially declares a person justified by the Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ”! A Judicial act of Justification, by God, is necessary because there is no other means whereby mankind in his or her natural state can become justified from the guilt of his or her sin. How deep does Justification go? If one were Judicially Justified by God, on condition of the Sacrificial Blood of His dear Son, Jesus Christ, then what sins would be too great for God not to cleanse? • There will be Judicial Justification for the Redeemed, who put their faith in the Sacrificial Blood of Jesus Christ Romans 5:9 (see vs. 12-21) 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Hebrews 9:13–14 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 1 Peter 1:18–21 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 John 1:7 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. What can be the Only Atonement? The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ! What can forgive the guilt of each individual’s sins? Only Jesus Christ’s atoning Blood! Justification does not avoid Justice, but instead, through the Spotless Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, it declares righteousness to those who by faith receive the gift of eternal life, so freely offered by God. Romans 3:23–25 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. What if we still have guilt? If we are plagued by the guilt of sins in the past, but have by faith claimed Christ’s promised Justification already for those sins, then what could be the only answer to the reoccurring guilt and anxiety over those sins? Could the guilt not be, most certainly, from the “accuser of the brethren”? If the guilt is continuing to be from the “accuser of the brethren”, then how do we deal with those accusations? Confession, where there needs to be confession (1 John 1:9) Resistance to the opposition of the enemy (James 4:6-10) Question “At our judgment, why will there be a review of our life if all of our past deeds are forgiven and forgotten by God?” o Everyone seeks honorable justice o Justice requires the revelation of the truth about what has happened o Justification legally overcomes any revelation of condemnation o God reveals that which is necessary for the accomplishment of justice o God also reveals the life of the Justified who overcome God’s Eternal Reward is for the Justified who “Overcome” The reward is for those who overcome. Overcoming, in definition of the word itself means that we are struggling with something to overcome! Most of the time that which we are struggling with can be called “sin” – something, which has caused us trouble in the past and will cause us more trouble with others and with God, if we continue doing it What adversaries do we overcome? Let’s look at two areas of adversities to overcome: Overcome the Adversities of Others Romans 12:17–21 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Overcoming the Adversities of Life James 1:12 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Revelation 3:19–22 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ” Reward: God Rewards those who are Justified by Faith, who Overcome in Life’s Arduous Race 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. • The Reality of Reward: The guilt of our sin is washed away; the reality of our life is uncovered for eternity’s reward. Mark 9:41 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. Luke 6:22–23 22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. Luke 6:35–36 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 1 Corinthians 3:11–15 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Colossians 3:23–25 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Hebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 2 John 8 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Revelation 11:17–18 17 … (Following the 7th Trumpet of Judgment during the Tribulation, the 24 Elders around God’s Throne fall on their faces worshipping God saying…) “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. 18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” Conclusion: God has indisputable “forensic evidence” of sin against all mankind…against every one of us. The “cloud” of His knowledge encompasses all things…everything is known and exposed before Him. We cannot hide from God. As the only true righteous Judge, God has provided a just conclusion to our sinful, lost state…that of providing a “sin bearer”, one who took upon Himself the punishment for all sin...His perfect Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God then transforms the believing soul by the power of His Holy Spirit and gives us the power to grow in His grace! The Declaration of Justification: Justification does not avoid Justice, but instead, through the Spotless Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, it declares righteousness to those who by faith receive the gift of eternal life, so freely offered by God, through Jesus Christ. We are hidden in Christ, covered with His righteousness, bringing a just conclusion to our case as… “Not Guilty”! Praise God! Justification (By Faith Alone) By Isaac Watts Rom. 3:19-22. Vain are the hopes the sons of men On their own works have built; Their hearts by nature all unclean, And all their actions guilt. Let Jew and Gentile stop their mouths Without a murm'ring word, And the whole race of Adam stand Guilty before the Lord. In vain we ask God's righteous law To justify us now; Since to convince and to condemn Is all the law can do. Jesus, how glorious is thy grace! When in Thy name we trust, Our faith receives a righteousness That makes the sinner just.