Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification (14)
[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."
Due to "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23), "all people" [Gentiles (1:18-32), those passing judgment on others (2:1-16), Jews (2:17-3:8), and all humanity (3:9-20)] universally need justification.
- The second subtopic is “The Originator of Justification."
The originator of justification is God the Father. God the Father declares righteousness (Rom. 3:2).
- The third subtopic is “The Foundation of Justification.”
The foundation of justification is solely Jesus Christ. God the Father declares sinners righteous based on the blood and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ.
- The fourth subtopic is “The Method of Justification.”
We receive the righteousness given by God the Father through faith alone (v. 22).
- The fifth subtopic is “The "Universality of Justification."
Romans 3:22 states: "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile." Since God the Father is just, all His actions are fair. Therefore, the righteousness given by God the Father to "all who believe" in Jesus Christ does not show any discrimination.
Today, we will contemplate the sixth subtopic, "The Purpose of Justification" (1), focusing on Romans 3:25-26 [Next Wednesday's worship will delve into "The Purpose of Justification" (2)]. The Scripture in Romans 3:25-26 reads: "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness because in his forbearance, he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
These Bible verses discussing the purpose of justification are among the most crucial passages. While meditating on this Scripture, it is essential to first reflect on Genesis 3:15, the protoevangelium or the first gospel: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This prophecy, spoken by God, the Originator of justification, is directed towards the serpent, who cunningly assumed the form of "the most cunning of all the wild animals" (v. 1) and represents Satan. The prophecy foretells that the offspring of the woman, Jesus Christ, will crush the head of the serpent, signifying the victory over Satan. God fulfilled this prophecy around 4,000 years later through the shedding of Jesus Christ's blood on the cross (Jn. 19:30). In essence, Jesus, on the cross, crushed the head of the serpent, accomplishing our salvation. The serpent, representing Satan, struck the heel of Jesus, but Jesus triumphed over Satan on the cross. Colossians 2:15 confirms this victory: "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Here, "powers and authorities" refer to the evil angel, Satan. Jesus Christ conquered Satan on the cross.
God is righteous. Therefore, God acts according to His righteousness. This is expressed in Psalms 119:137 - "Righteous are you, O Lord, and your rules are right." John 17:25 also states, "O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me." Psalms 145:17 affirms, "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works." God, being righteous, fulfills His spoken word. Additionally, God is gracious, as He is a loving God. Romans 3:25 states, "God put forward [Jesus] 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." The phrase "put forward" is emphasized to signify the public nature of God's action. He openly presented Jesus' blood as a propitiation. The birth of Jesus was not publicly revealed, but God openly displayed Jesus' blood on the cross for everyone to see. God's righteousness is demonstrated in the fact that He publicly exposed our sins by placing them on Jesus, who had no sin. God revealed His righteousness by dealing with sin and demonstrating that His actions are just. God endured patiently for about 4,000 years, showing His forbearance. If someone committed a crime, they should be apprehended and punished immediately, but God patiently endured. Moreover, God overlooked sins committed in the past (v. 25). In other words, God covered sins committed previously. The purpose was for God to manifest His righteousness (v. 26). Sometime, it happened precisely "at this time" (v. 26), referring to when God established Jesus' blood as a propitiation (v. 25). In this way, God dealt with our sins, demonstrating His righteousness. This is the first purpose of justification.
God is righteous and holy; therefore, we should live according to righteousness and holiness. We must live our lives using the weapons of righteousness. This is the lyrics of hymn “All to Jesus I Surrender”: (v. 1) All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live, (v. 2) All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasure all forsaken, Take me, Jesus, take me now, (v. 3) All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, Wholly Thine Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine, (chorus) I surrender all I surrender all All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all. Amen.