Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 6 - Therefore being Justified by Faith)

Start this lesson series here: 
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 6 - Therefore being Justified by Faith)

When you believed the message of the grace gospel, you acknowledged your sins and put your trust in the fact that the cross of Christ was the propitiation [appeasement, satisfactory fulfilment] that was made on your behalf, allowing God to remain just, while justifying you freely through that sacrifice, Rom.3:26. The moment you did that, your soul became redeemed and is now at peace with God, Rom.5:1. Being justified became the FIRST STEP of your salvation, as we will learn in upcoming parts of this study. 

• What is the significance of justification? Well, you can spend the rest of your life in that justified state and still be saved, even if you never learn and receive the rest of God’s salvation. 

This expression above is a biblically qualified fact, based on what we have already learned. However, even though this statement is true, it is not where we should stop and rest on those laurels. There is more to salvation and God would desire that we press on in our learning of Paul’s doctrine, Php.3:14, as much more blessings and glory are there for us to receive by the grace of God, as we will learn in Rom.5:10.

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 6): Eternal Security (Continued…)

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 6): Eternal Security (Continued…)

Start with Part 1 of the series here.

In a previous post, we learned that we can know that we have eternal life. It is vitally important that each of us have this absolute assurance. Thus, I will devote a second post to this critical topic.

Sealed with the Holy Spirit

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Notice the progression in verse 13: First you hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; Secondly, you believe in Christ and His death for your sins; Thirdly, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. (1. Hear the gospel; 2. Believe the gospel; 3. Sealed with Holy Spirit) Everyone who hears the gospel and believes it, is sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 5): Eternal Security

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 5): Eternal Security

Start with Part 1 of the series here.

In a previous post we learned the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins. The last lesson taught us that salvation cannot be gained through any merit on our part. We must trust in Christ and His death on the cross for our sins. Now we come to two vitally important questions about salvation. Is it possible to know that you have salvation? After believing the gospel, is it possible to lose your salvation?

Assurance of Salvation

Will you go to heaven when you die? Having asked many people this question, I have received answers such as: "I hope so"; "I think so"; "I don't know"; and "No one can know until he dies." Let us consider this important question: Is it possible to know that you have salvation? Some would say that it is a sin of presumption to say that you know that you are saved. They insist that no one can know this until his life ends and he comes before God. What does the Bible say?

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13).

Justification is not by the law, but freely given by God through His Son

Justification is not by the law, but freely given by God through His Son

“What things soever the law saith it saith to them who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God.” Rom 3:19.

What does the law declare? It declares the whole world guilty before God, and here's the conclusion, “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.”

The law cannot justify you because the law exposes who you are. The law brings to light your condemnation and your guilt, and so, if God is to judge you according to your works by the law, He cannot justify you, He cannot declare you innocent, because the law declares you guilty.

The miracle that hardly anybody speaks about

The miracle that hardly anybody speaks about

Justification is a miracle in itself! It is the declaration of your complete innocence and righteousness by God, through the imputed righteousness of Christ, when you believe in God's Son, Jesus Christ, for your salvation (Rom.3:21-28; Rom.5:1-2). This is not the miracle I refer to in this post, but it is certainly connected to what I'm about to share.

The seemingly unspoken miracle that happens after one comes to the knowledge of what Biblical justification really means, is the tangible experience of liberty from a heavy bondage of sin, followed by a slow, but increasing experience of victory over its hold on you, like, the bad habits you were held captive to, the mental prison you endured, the bad language you spoke, anger, lusts, pride, and uncontrollable actions that plagued your life.

I write this, having personal experience of this miracle, and I have heard testimony of others that have had the same experiences in their lives too. Why is it so unspoken? Why don't people perceive it as a miracle? Well, it happens over time. It is not an instant change. In addition, through this whole process, one's mind and attention should be fixated on Christ and His Word, so it is only once you look back on your life that you recognize how it has been liberated, and how it has changed.

How does this miracle work?

This is NOT a sales pitch. The following is a summation formed from verses extracted from the Bible that will help you to understand the gift of justification and how it can change your life. If you are struggling with sin, if you are in bondage to its firm grasp, if you have tried everything without success, you're at the end of your rope, and constantly under condemnation, then the following can help you to break sins hold and find peace with God.

One of the greatest passages of literature ever written

One of the greatest passages of literature ever written

Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, … 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe … 23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: … 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I stand by the title of this post! There is no other literature on earth that comes close to the value and significance of the words above. If one had to put all professional, literary, and academic writing together, it would pale in worth and magnitude.

Rest for Israel, Peace for the Body

From a language perspective, when used as nouns, peace means a state of tranquility, quiet, and harmony, whereas rest means relief from work or activity by ceasing action or sleeping. When used as verbs, peace means to make peace, whereas rest means to cease from action, motion, work, or performance of any kind. In the common context, rest has more to do with ceasing from a physical activity, whereas peace is mostly connected to a calm state of mind. We can simplify it further to say that rest is mostly a physical thing whereas peace is more of a soul, or spiritual state.

An interesting observation and trend is noticed in the scriptures when rest and peace are tallied up between the Jewish books in the Old and New Testaments versus the Pauline epistles.

• Rest: Bible = 268; Paul = 7
• Peace: Bible = 382; Paul = 47

Q-A: Prayer in the Grace Dispensation

Prayer in the Grace Dispensation The Grace Dispensation brought about MANY changes in lifestyle and patterns. Prayer is one of these attributes that radically changed from how the Gospels represent it.  Let's have a look at prayer in this grace dispensation.