Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification (12)
[Romans 3:21-31]
We are contemplating nine subtopics under the overarching theme of "Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification." The first subtopic is "The Necessity of Justification." Since "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23), everyone absolutely needs justification. The second subtopic is "The Originator of Justification," which is God the Father. God the Father is the originator of justification and declares sinners righteous. The third subtopic is "The Foundation of Justification," which is solely Jesus Christ. The perfect obedience and perfect atonement of Jesus Christ (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 70) serve as the foundation of justification. God the Father declares sinners righteous based on Jesus Christ. The fourth subtopic is "The Method of Justification." We receive the justification given by God the Father through faith alone. Continuing to meditate on the fourth subtopic, "The Method of Justification," we seek to receive the grace offered by God.
Faith is by no means the method of justification; the foundation of justification is solely Jesus Christ. Therefore, considering faith as the foundation of justification is incorrect. People often attempt to obtain God's righteousness (salvation) through their own faith. Matthew 7:22-23 states: "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Many people perform remarkable deeds (prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles) in the name of Jesus Christ, hoping to attain righteousness (salvation). However, Jesus tells them, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers."
Faith is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Faith is never something that originates from us. The Bible declares that faith is a gift from God. It is not a result of human actions. God sends the Holy Spirit, who enables us to believe in Jesus Christ. Through the grace of this gift, bestowed by God, believing in Jesus Christ with this faith results in being declared righteous (justification), and it is by no means achieved through human effort or deeds! This faith is the belief in the blood of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:25 says, "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith." In the original Greek, the phrase "through faith in his blood" translates to "τῆς πίστεως ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ αἵματι" [tēs pisteōs (faith) en (in) tō autou (His) haimati (blood)], which directly translates to "faith in His blood." The meaning of this translation is "faith in believing in the blood of Jesus Christ." God the Father declares us righteous through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Through the moving and working of the Holy Spirit, we can receive justification by believing in the blood of Jesus. Thus, the justification achieved is a remarkable work of the Triune God!
The faith that believes in the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from our sins. 1 John 1:7b states: "...the blood of his Son, Jesus, purifies us from all sin." Ephesians 1:7 adds, "In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." We have received redemption (forgiveness of sins) through the blood of Jesus Christ . Our sins can only be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:14 in the Modern Korean Bible says, ‘God's Son paid the price to make us free, which means that our sins are forgiven.’ Through the faith that believes in the blood of Jesus Christ, we have been declared righteous. Romans 5:9 states: "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!" Moreover, the faith that believes in the blood of Jesus Christ has liberated us from sin. Revelation 1:5b declares: "...he loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood." Hymn “Would You be Free From Your Burden of Sin” expresses: (v. 1) Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's pow'r in the Blood, pow'r in the Blood. Would you o'er evil a victory win? There's wonderful pow'r in the Blood, (v. 2) Would you be free from your passion and pride? There's pow'r in the Blood, pow'r in the Blood. Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide. There's wonderful pow'r in the Blood, (v. 3) Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There's pow'r in the Blood, pow'r in the Blood. Sin stains are lost in its life-giving flow. There's wonderful pow'r in the Blood, (v. 4) Would you do service for Jesus your King? There's pow'r in the Blood, pow'r in the Blood. Would you live daily His praises to sing? There's wonderful pow'r in the Blood, (chorus) There is pow'r, pow'r, wonderworking pow'r In the blood of the Lamb. There is pow'r pow'r wonderworking pow'r In the precious blood of the Lamb. Hebrews 10:19 says: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus." Through the power of Jesus Christ's blood, we, who were unable to reach the glory of God due to sin (Rom.3:23), have obtained the courage to enter the holy place.
What kind of blood is the blood of Jesus Christ? Hebrews 9:22 states, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." It is only through the blood shed by Jesus on the cross that we can receive forgiveness of sins (atonement, freedom from sin). Therefore, Jesus came to this earth to redeem us and shed His blood on the cross so that we could be forgiven. Jesus took upon Himself the divine wrath and holy punishment that all of us sinners deserved. He declared, "It is finished" on the cross and bowed His head, breathing His last (Jn. 19:30, Modern Korean Bible). The faith that believes in the precious blood shed on the cross by Jesus is the avenue, means, and method of righteousness! Why did God allow us to attain righteousness only through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ? The purpose is to prevent us from boasting. Romans 3:27 says, "Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith." Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast." Thus, we should live in humility, gratitude, and obscurity, giving all honor, glory, and authority to the Lord alone as we live for Jesus and the gospel.