Justification by Faith
The Influence of the Apostle Saul/Paul
No one wrote more about justification by faith than a Hebrew Pharisee from the tribe of Benjamin named Saul, Saul of Tarsus. We recognize him today as the Apostle Paul. No one argued, debated, defended, declared, witnessed to, expounded upon, and openly declared to all who would listen . . . the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Messiah.
The writings of this warrior for the Lord has had such an impact upon the “Christian community” that his letters are referred to as “Pauline Christianity.” This Saul of Tarsus, the zealous persecutor of the followers of the Savior, God changed into the defender of the faith, the Apostle Paul, His most prolific disciple. An issue with which Paul wrote much about is “justification by faith,” the focus of this article.
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2
Israel justified by faith.
The Scripture quoted above points to a truth many do not understand and is part of the reason for this article. This verse reveals that the children of Israel had the “gospel” preached to them. Surprise, surprise, & surprise! Weren’t the Israelites/Jews saved by keeping the law (under the law)?
The answer is no, they were not saved by keeping the law.
Read Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, and you will find that this “Hall of Faith” chapter is full of Israelites (Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and prophets) who were living a life of faith in God. Jesus said it well in “John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.” a truth echoed in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy quoted below. This leads us to the conclusion that service to God initiates an obedience motivated by love!
And thou shall love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might“. Deuteronomy 6:5
Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always. Deuteronomy 11:1
The faith community has not given this issue of justification by faith or righteousness by faith the weight whch it deserves. Righteousness/justification by faith is written about repeatedly throughout Scripture in both of what is today designated as the Old and New Testaments. This is such an important truth in the Word of God that we want to present this basic tenant of our faith in a clear message. As we open the Word of God we will certainly want to pay attention to what other Biblical writers also have to say on this matter but I believe our investigation will rely heavily upon the letters from Saul/Paul.
Four "justify" introductory passages.
The four passages quoted below, all written by Paul, are concerned with a believers’ standing before the Creator. They all mention justification/righteousness, two interconnected words. We will discuss how they apply to us today later in our investigation. As you hover over each of the verses a comment dealing with the verse will be displayed. Additionally, a “Websters” definition of many of the Biblical words can be found near the bottom of this page.
Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:20 states that “by the works (or the deeds) of the law” we are not justified. See definition below for "justify".
The purpose of the law is to inform (impart knowledge) to us concerning sin. The law defines sin. This is the function of the law.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Biblical faith is life changing belief. What kind of belief? Belief & acceptance in Jesus/Yashua, of His sacrifice on our behalf.
Galatians 3:11
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11 states that “by the works (or the deeds) of the law” we are not justified.
A just man is a righteous man. Even though works are present in the life of a just man . . . that just man “lives” by faith.
Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
The “father of the faith”, Abraham, was declared righteous (justified) by faith.
Our Biblical model for a justified righteous man is Abraham, an Old Testament Patriarch.
I know we are repeating ourselves . . .
Paul’s points are as follows:
- Both Romans 3:20 and Galatians 3:11 state that “by the works (or the deeds) of the law” we are not justified.
- The purpose of the law is to inform (impart knowledge) to us concerning sin. The law defines sin. This is the function of the law. Romans 3:20
- Biblical faith (life changing belief) in Jesus is justification by faith. Galatians 2:16
- A just man (a righteous man) shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11
- Our Biblical model for a justified righteous man is Abraham, an Old Testament Patriarch. Gen 15:6; Gal 3:6-8; James 2:23
- The “father of the faith”, Abraham, was declared righteous (justified) by faith. Romans 3:4
Consider the following:
Maybe you are being accused of stealing or getting into a fight causing bodily harm to someone . . . in a court of law, when the judge asks the defendant (you), “What justification do you have for your actions?” , you must defend yourself. You are required to give a reason for (to justify) your actions. The judge then decides whether you are guilty or innocent (justified) in your actions based upon eye witnesses and evidence.
Response Comparison
. . . in the courts of heaven, (when your eternal destiny is at question) THE JUDGE asks you, “Are you guilty or innocent? What is your plea?” You may respond in one of two ways:
1. You can claim that that you are a good person having done many good deeds throughout your life. However, the Scriptures proclaim that “our righteousness is as filthy rags” and “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and “the wages of sin is death” .
. . . or
2. You can plead guilty, placing your faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer & Savior, and claim His Death upon the cross of Calvary as payment for your sin debt.
Judgment Sentence Result
Response #1 Judgment . . . You are found “guilty” and receive the second death penalty in the “lake of fire”!
Response #2 Judgment . . . By placing your faith in the merits of your Messiah (He carried your guilt & shame to the cross and died “instead” of you), you receive the gift of “eternal life”, accepting Jesus/Yashua’s blood sacrifice as recompence on your behalf!
Response #2 is Biblical Justification by Faith
A Clear Statement on the range of faith.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8
Justification by faith throughout all Scripture.
Please consider the following verses
Genesis 15:6
And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD, and He counted it to him (Abraham) for righteousness.
James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Psalms 106:31
(31) And that was accounted to him (Phinehas) for righteousness To all generations forever.
Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should wald in them.
Summary Statement
All of these verses are true, aren’t they? Paul, James, Habakkuk, & Moses each are inspired by God to write truths concerning our spiritual condition. I would like to attempt an overview of what these verses are saying.
When we surrender our lives (born again) into “HIS“ service we are immediately “justified by faith in Him” without any merit of our own. We (as a new creation in the Messiah) move into a new life living now “in faith”. Without living (working) in faith our faith will die (faith without works is dead). Ephesians 2:10 really hits the nail right on the head, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”.
The patriarch Abraham is the perfect example of justification by faith. In verse 1 above we read; Genesis 15:6 “And He believed in the LORD: and He counted to him for righteousness“. This statement is made by God about Abraham decades before he does his great work of taking Isaac up onto Mount Moriah to be sacrificed. It was Abraham’s belief (faith) in the promises of God which justified him to God. This faith enabled Abraham to live his life in such a way that God would call Abraham His friend. (James 2:23)
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2
In Conclusion
In conclusion I would like to encourage you to consider the total weight of Scripture on this matter. The verses which we quoted in this short article must be in agreement, not fighting one another. Let’s not use verses like Ephesians 2:8-9, “we are saved by grace thru faith”, out of context without including verse 10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works”. We can certainly see and understand that the same people which are saved by Grace through Faith will most certainly have the witness of good works as evidence of their Godly faith as well. Amen.