The issue of sin is settled once and for all for the believer in Christ

The issue of sin is settled once and for all for the believer in Christ

What does “Justification” mean?

Justification is a legal word dealing with one’s judicial standing before God, the Judge. Biblical justification equates to being declared righteous, blameless, and innocent. A good way to remember the meaning of justification is the phrase, “Just as if I never sinned”, since that is exactly what you are, as a believer under grace.

Justification doesn't deal with your WALK, or how you LIVE, even after you're saved. It doesn't deal with your SANCTIFICATION, your THOUGHTS, or your WORKS in the flesh or the spirit! None of these! In other words, justification is not your work or effort to appease God. Justification is God’s work. Your justified status before God is based on what He has done for you, and declared over you, because of your faith in His Son.

“The Faith” and “Of Faith” in Romans

“The Faith” and “Of Faith” in Romans

The book of Romans lays the foundation of truth for us as Christians to be established on. It is the basis on which we build upon in our knowledge and in deeds. It is interesting to note how the book refers to two types of “faith”, one found in the opening verses of the first chapter, and the other found in the closing verses of the final chapter. Let me elaborate on the significance and meaning of this.

The Faith

Rom.1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

The phrase, “for obedience to the faith among all nations”, refers to, “the faith”. The word “the” informs us that this is a unique and distinct body of doctrine. This doctrine called, “the faith”, is the definition and sum content of what we need to know and apply, so that we live by the will and purpose of God in this day and age. In essence, it is the ‘modus operandi’ of our Christianity, the pattern, or template, of our faith.

Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Wood, Hay, and Stubble

Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Wood, Hay, and Stubble

Paul writes the following to the Corinthians,

1 Cor.3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The above is one of a few passages of scripture that provides us with insights into the judgement seat of Christ; that time after the rapture of the Body of Christ when we are judged according to what we have done in his body (not our body).

2 Cor.5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

God's righteousness and the hopelessness of humanity

God's righteousness and the hopelessness of humanity

This lesson is leading the way to the topic of justification, but before we can get to discussing and truly understanding “justification”, we need to clarify two very important points, 

1. God is absolutely and utterly righteous.
2. Humanity is absolutely and utterly guilty and hopelessly lost.

God and people are completely incompatible. They cannot be reconciled. They repel each other! Paul lays this out clearly in Romans chapters 1 to 3. He emphasizes the facts of men’s utter guilt and hopeless condition. Mankind is so far fallen (in sin, unbelief, and rebellion) that they cannot approach God, and they cannot save themselves!

The Debate on Eternal Security

The Debate on Eternal Security

There is so much debate and misunderstanding on the subject of eternal security. The moment one mentions the phrase “once saved, always saved”, it triggers such backlash from others in the community saying that this is a false doctrine and there is no scriptural evidence for this. Then they go about trying to prove the opposite, that one can lose their salvation. They grab their Bibles and list the following scriptures below, adding a bunch of conditions and requisites to state their case.

Matthew 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Hebrews 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

Building your Faith on the Romans Foundation

Building your Faith on the Romans Foundation

The book of Romans contains the foundational principles of our faith. Yet, when one gets to studying the content of Romans, it becomes clear that the majority of Christianity is either ignorant of, or rebellious of these foundational truths. I have a factual statement to make in this regard and I hope that it will hit home with any Christians who are interested in growing in their faith and having Christ formed within them.

"If a believer is not established upon the truths in the Romans epistle, their spiritual education will suffer, their spiritual growth will be stunted, and their faith will remain weak, susceptible to vain practices and deceptions."

The 9-Epistles of Israel in the Tribulation

The 9-Epistles of Israel in the Tribulation

These 9 epistles, from Hebrews to Revelation represents a spiritual curriculum for the maturing and endurance of believers in the Jewish Kingdom program, through the tribulation, and into the Millennial Kingdom.

• Hebrews to 2 Peter are focused predominantly on being reeducated in the New Covenant and being reintroduced to the risen Christ.
• 1 John to Revelation is focused on sonship and sets sights on life in the Millennial Kingdom under the reign of Christ and in their priestly positions as the true Israel.