Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification (26)

 

 

 

 

 

[Romans 5:8]

 

 

 

We, amidst contemplation of nine sub-themes under the overarching theme of “Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification,” are currently reflecting on the eighth sub-theme, 'The Result of Justification.”  Today, we aim to meditate on 'The Result of Justification (7)” with a focus on Romans 5:8.

 

This is the word of Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Here, "we" refers not only to the Apostle Paul and the saints of the Roman church but, in a word, it denotes those who have received justification.  And when it says "while we were still sinners," it refers to the time before receiving justification.  In other words, the Apostle Paul and the saints of the Roman church were sinners before receiving justification.  So, what is "sin"?  The Bible speaks of it in four ways:

 

  • The Bible says that breaking the law is sin.

 

This is expressed in 1 John 3:4, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness."  Breaking the law is sin.  Violating God's law is sin.

 

  • The Bible says that failing to do good when one knows how to do it is sin.

 

James 4:17 states, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."  Matthew 25 provides three parables where Jesus teaches us: (a) The parable of the ten virgins: Five wise virgins prepared both lamps and oil, while five foolish virgins only prepared lamps without oil.  As a result, the wise virgins entered the wedding feast, but the foolish ones could not.  (b) The parable of the talents: Those who received five and two talents invested them and gained more, but the one who received one talent hid it.  The first two were praised, but the last one was rebuked.  (c) The parable of the sheep and the goats: The righteous (sheep) performed acts of kindness, while the unrighteous (goats) did not.  Consequently, the unrighteous faced punishment, and the righteous received eternal life.

 

  • The Bible states that not acting in faith is sin.

 

Romans 14:23 says, "But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."  Even if people perform good deeds, not believing in Jesus and not acting in faith is considered sin.  Jesus himself spoke about not believing in him as sin in John 16:8-9: "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me."

 

  • The Bible teaches that even if one performs good deeds in faith, falling short of God's commandments is considered sin.

 

Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 14: "What is sin?" Answer: "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God."  For instance, if someone keeps all the commandments but fails to keep one, they have sinned.  James 2:10 states, "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all."  In the eyes of people, no one is without sin, and everyone falls short of God's glory (Rom. 3:23).  Adam and Eve, though created sinless, sinned by disobeying God's command not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  However, their descendants are considered sinners and, consequently, commit sins.  For example, newborn babies are born as sinners.  Psalms 51:5 says, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."  Therefore, everyone is a sinner.  Jesus Christ died for sinners (Rom. 5:8).  Although sinless, Jesus became human, lived for 33 years without sin, and was crucified on the cross.  His death on the cross was part of God's plan.  Romans 5:6 states, "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."  God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all (Rom. 8:32).  Even Pilate, the Roman governor, tried to release Jesus but ultimately handed Him over to be crucified. The cross affirms God's love (5:8).  The word "affirm" means to "confirm," and in Romans 3:5, it is translated as "demonstrate," while in Galatians 2:18, it is translated as "make clear."  Thus, "affirmation" refers to God clearly and definitively demonstrating His love for humanity by giving His Son.  Through Jesus Christ's death on the cross, God affirmed His love.

 

Adam and Eve were without sin, but they became sinners by eating the forbidden fruit that God had prohibited (Gen. 3:6).  As a result of their disobedience, they were spiritually separated from God and experienced spiritual death.  Additionally, Adam physically died at the age of 930 (physical death) (5:5).  Faced with the prospect of entering eternal hell, God provided them with garments made of skin, symbolizing righteousness (3:21).  This represents justification.  Consequently, Adam and Eve did not go to hell but entered heaven.  When the Lord returns to this earth, their souls will be reunited with resurrected bodies, and together, they will possess glorified bodies and live eternally in heaven.  In this way, those who receive justification will enjoy eternal blessings.